A lot of service industry people can't afford a long commute. So even if the property is cheap X hours out, they still can't afford to live there. And that's h

A lot of service industry people can't afford a long commute. So even if the property is cheap X hours out, they still can't afford to live there. And that's how you get what you're seeing in many cities - uninhabited property deserts where the houses/apts are nominally inflating in value, but most people can't afford to live there. And those can afford it don't want to because there's no one around to keep the lights on for them. Portugal is threatening to repossess empty properties through compulsory purchase. That's drastic and not very popular - especially with property speculators - but govs are going to be faced with a choice between that kind of drastic action and cities which gradually empty of people.