Agree with Sunny Days. Alternatively, find a fixer-upper on a large plot of land and either build a new house and rent out the original house to help with the mortgage cost, or scrap it and use the reclaimed materials in the new house.
Without knowing your budget we can't advise on the financial stretch option B entails. However, if your job is fairly secure geographically, then it may be worth the extra financial burden for peace of mind.