Wife and I finally found a good enough deal on a house that will allow us to be in biking range of our work (3-4 miles with good/safe bikeways vs 12-15 with no safe bikeways) and within walking/biking distance of most regular needs (groceries, etc.). Still a bit steep for us (gross) price/payment wise, but the net price after gas savings, tax savings, health/well-being improvements will soften the financial issue a bit.
Most houses in the area are way, way above our affordability (typically $500k+), but in a new construction neighborhood a builder was having a hell of a time selling their last lots so was willing to wheel and deal and we got about $50k off what we would have had to pay on other lots and before the builder was desperate.
Mortgage rates dropping into the low to mid 3%s is also a boon!
