"which reminds me, i have reluctantly concluded that you cannot buy a home -- even an apartment-sized condo -- in or near boston unless your aggregate family income is at least $150,000."
Well we did, and we earn less than that (though, not that much less than that). We could have even found a place cheaper but we had certain things we wanted in a home (gave up being closer to have a yard, 2 floors, etc).
I think the problem is, people of middle or higher income brackets can afford the mortgage payments - what they need help with is the downpayment. There are lots of downpayment assistance programs out there but to qualify one needs to meet income guidelines which are pretty low. The people that can meet those guidelines don't make enough money to make mortgage payments, repeat.
In Boston I think its possible to own a home - typically the working yuppie couple needs to have lower standards than what they were used to growing up.
The working class gal in me won't give up, though. I'm going to work and work and work and work until I get that house in Waltham :) I'm also accepting that we may need to give up some things we like (stained glass, a fireplace, fancy new kitchen) to get it. I've found that the location means much more to me than the "stuff".
home buying
aggregate family income is at least $150,000."
Well we did, and we earn less than that (though, not that much less than that). We could have even found a place cheaper but we had certain things we wanted in a home (gave up being closer to have a yard, 2 floors, etc).
I think the problem is, people of middle or higher income brackets can afford the mortgage payments - what they need help with is the downpayment. There are lots of downpayment assistance programs out there but to qualify one needs to meet income guidelines which are pretty low. The people that can meet those guidelines don't make enough money to make mortgage payments, repeat.
In Boston I think its possible to own a home - typically the working yuppie couple needs to have lower standards than what they were used to growing up.
The working class gal in me won't give up, though. I'm going to work and work and work and work until I get that house in Waltham :) I'm also accepting that we may need to give up some things we like (stained glass, a fireplace, fancy new kitchen) to get it. I've found that the location means much more to me than the "stuff".