5-7X?!?!  Good lord!  How can they afford the monthly payments on the
mortgage (to say nothing of taxes, insurance & down payment)???  We have
neighbors that were relocated to Ohio from NYC (employed by American
Electric Power).  Of course, their salaries weren't reduced for the move,
but because the cost-of-living is so much less in the Midwest than back
East, they live like royalty.  They dearly miss the culture and public
transportation, but they fly home to "The City" many weekends and are still
way ahead financially.

-----Original Message-----
From: Joy Liebeskind [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 3:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Morgages


Most families in our comunity are carring morgages of 5-7X annual wages
atleast. The average new house in our town is over 600,000.  Older homes
staret at 175,00 for a starter home. A 3-4 bedroom ranch on an acre that
is move in condition, but needs some work is atleast 250,000 & up
depending on where in town it is. That's why most kids go to daycare so
both parents can work. My kids love that I am home, but I worked for 18
years before they were born, & had a paid off house to sell for this
one-plus we sold a vacation home in the Virgin Islands-so we have no
morgage or I would have no choice but to work. I grew up in this town,
but it is far from the most expensive around. CT is expensive to llive
in!     Joy