That's an interesting anecdote. I think it highlights why doing that kind of stuff now is more difficult. I know people here in California paying a few thousan

That's an interesting anecdote. I think it highlights why doing that kind of stuff now is more difficult. I know people here in California paying a few thousand $ in property tax on their million dollars houses because they bought decades ago (Thanks Prop-13) but how will someone like me, a fairly recent newcomer afford their tens of thousands $ of property taxes for a new home I buy here? Will inflation eat away at our money such that in 30-40 years from now my tens of thousands $ of property taxes will be similar to the $800/yr your grandfather is paying now? I doubt it. I think that others are saying is true, you just have to pick up and move from expensive places if you want to reduce your costs significantly, no two ways about it.