>>If you have some of the highest housing costs in North America and the average income is that low (compared to the price of he houses) somebody must make money somewhere ?
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>It doesn't make much sense. I think people are just in way way over their heads.

I believe that your inflated housing costs are due to the influx of Hong Kong folks over the past several years. Most that left were not exactly poverty stricken, which is why they could afford to leave. With their move to British Columbia being a prime haven (I believe that Canada put out the welcome mat for the $$ but I don't really know), it's not surprising that housing skyrocketed.

To respond to Michelle's vision of commuting....2 hrs one way in the Wash DC is area is done by many. Vans carrying commuters from PA even come to DC with 2 1/2 - 3 hr one way trips. In some of the neighboring counties to where I'm at and Fredericksburg, which are now bedroom communities of DC or Richmond VA, rush hour begins at 5 AM.

Steve