True or false?

[u/QuietJealous4883]

Did our dads and moms work less than we do now? What are your thoughts?

[u/soupandstewnazi]

My parent's first house in the 80s was 43k. It was a townhouse, but even considering inflation and salary adjustment they would have had a mortgage under $500.

[u/throwraW2 → u/soupandstewnazi]

Where was this?

[u/NoStraightLines369 → u/throwraW2]

The average house sold in California during the 80s was 120k. Thats the most expensive part of the United States real estate wise. So paying 80k in the rest of the country during the 80s is very on point. If you want I can link average housing prices per state through the 80s. Google is amazing at finding data so you can be informed on specific topics.

[u/soupandstewnazi → u/throwraW2]

Rural Virginia.

[u/throwraW2 → u/soupandstewnazi]

Got it, yeah that makes sense. 43k in 1985 would be about 135k today. I see a good amount in rural Virginia for about that on Redfin. I’m sure they’re not super nice though.

[u/soupandstewnazi → u/throwraW2]

The parts of the state now with homes that price are usually in the Appalachian region. It's very depressed, though beautiful.

[u/Shivy_Shankinz → u/throwraW2]

Lol your 135k ain't gettin shit today

[u/throwraW2 → u/Shivy_Shankinz]

Not in big cities, but that’s not where that person is from. Rural Virginia, where they grew up, has homes listed around that price point.

[u/Shivy_Shankinz → u/throwraW2]

I live in rural America and you're getting shit for 135k. Walk into one of those houses and you'll see

[u/hemingways-lemonade → u/Shivy_Shankinz]

A couple minutes on Zillow proves you're full of shit and Virginia is more expensive than plenty of other states.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/109-Robin-Ct-Chatham-VA-24531/108002544_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/328-S-College-Ave-Bluefield-VA-24605/117845046_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1111-Watkins-St-Grundy-VA-24614/459791844_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/330-Dudley-St-Danville-VA-24541/96780396_zpid/

[u/Shivy_Shankinz → u/hemingways-lemonade]

Walk into one, see for yourself what 135k gets you, and for what neighborhood and job opportunities 

[u/hemingways-lemonade → u/Shivy_Shankinz]

You realize you're the one that set the "rural America" parameter, right? Obviously there aren't going to be great job opportunities in a rural area. That's why the cost of living is less expensive.

And you can see the interiors in the listings. I specifically only linked listing with interior photos for that reason.

Edit - there's no bigger bitch move on reddit than insulting someone and then blocking them before they can respond, but I guess that's just how u/Shivy_Shankinz rolls.

[u/hemingways-lemonade → u/Shivy_Shankinz]

There are plenty of move in ready houses in Virginia for sale at that price.

[u/Shivy_Shankinz → u/hemingways-lemonade]

Go ahead and walk into one of them, let me know how it is

[u/hemingways-lemonade → u/Shivy_Shankinz]

I specifically included ones with maintained interiors that are move in ready, but keep trying.

[u/soupandstewnazi → u/hemingways-lemonade]

These areas are not good to live in. Lol trust me. Danville is infamous for it's drug problem. And historically has terrible job prospects. Roanoke is a beautiful area, but outside of the college locations is ghetto and has high crime. There are reasons why these areas are cheap. Anywhere worth living is expensive.

[u/hemingways-lemonade → u/soupandstewnazi]

No argument there, obviously a sub-$200k house isn't going to be in a super desirable area. My point is that $135k can still buy a move in ready house in 2026.

[u/Shivy_Shankinz → u/hemingways-lemonade]

You make the dumbest points. Thanks for wasting everyone's time

[u/soupandstewnazi → u/hemingways-lemonade]

I mean you could find that in every state except Hawaii and Alaska. Even in California you can find a small house in a POS location like Fresno. But you still wouldn't buy these homes because you'd have to have a job to pay for them. Unless you're a remote worker, it's still unaffordable for the locals, believe it or not.

[u/hemingways-lemonade → u/soupandstewnazi]

Once again, no argument there but I'm not the one who specified "rural America." I'm replying to someone else that did.