Yep. My dad was in the trades for 40 years, my mom was a stay at home, and we always had a roof over our heads. When I was in second grade, my parents had a new house built. Years later, they told me the lot cost $4k, and the construction was around $70k. 3300 square feet on half an acre. It had everything to do with the choices he made and nothing to do with COL. I choose a brand new single family home for $74k.
Look, Soldier, nobody is saying it makes someone a bad person if he or she benefitted from certain circumstances. I also don't think it diminishes their accomplishments. What I do think is that it's a bit naïve to think it's just as easy today if you just "make good choices". Example: A good friend just bought a house in Newport (Port Streets if you're familiar) for $2.2 million. It's about 2,500 sq. ft. and needs wall to wall renovation. Now, I personally don't think that was a good choice, but that's a different discussion. The thing that struck me is his next door neighbors who have lived there for 25+ years are a retired public school teacher on one side, and a retired cop on the other. Cool guys and noble professions for sure, but the days of teachers and cops buying in that neighborhood are sadly over. It's a shame because it was probably a great middle class, family-type neighborhood back in the day.
