[redpoint5]

My wife's from Wray, CO. Population 2k. I met her in PDX, and now we're in a town of 10k. I consider house prices crazy here, but not as bad as PDX. Supposedly our home value increased $200k since we bought it 2.5 years ago. Absurdity.

I'll say though, homeownership is a hedge against rent increases and inflation. There's no tax deduction or equity paying rent, but you get both carrying a mortgage. My mortgage, taxes, and insurance were 100% paid for renting out my 3 rooms.

Though I didn't need roommates to make mortgage payments, I had them anyhow. I'd certainly take roommates if that's what was necessary for home ownership. The system is bent in favor of private ownership, so that's (usually) the best financial play.