In the last 12 years the 'affordability' of housing has nearly doubled. This means that to do what you did I'd have to get 6 jobs and work 170 hours a week.
Another way of looking at it - you bought a $22,000 house 12 years ago and you're suggesting that an equivalent house now would be around $100,000. Do you think wages have also quintupled over the same period?
I think people should just get used to renting. I'd much rather rent in the city than buy a rat-infested dump that required a 2 hour daily commute.
