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