“The only thing I like about the Boston area is the houses. They’re charming, historical, and beautiful, but probably cost an arm and a leg. “
Well, if you prefer to pay an arm and a leg in New York to live in a little box of an apartment that you will never own, that’s your prerogative. Personally, if I’m going to spend an arm and a leg on housing, I want to get something out of it (equity, a backyard, a place to park, a house with character, space for a guest room and storage, etc.).
Or you could live someplace that has affordable housing AND the above mentioned perks, such as Dallas, Memphis, Atlanta, Milwaukee, or Denver.