Assuming you don't own in a high cost of living area you may have waited too long. I live in one of the highest cost of living areas. My assumption was I'd end

Assuming you don't own in a high cost of living area you may have waited too long. I live in one of the highest cost of living areas. My assumption was I'd end up moving and be able to buy with cash in a semi desirable area in a low cost medium size city. It is cheaper for sure, but it's not quite as I expected. Most of the desirable homes have doubled or tripled since 2020. They are still under a $1 million and usually have quite a bit more land, but most medium size cities have seen huge increases in housing costs and rent.