My mortgage is a hair over $1k (+ $160 or so PMI but includes the taxes and insurance) for 3 bedrooms/2.5 bath, garage, and detached shop/garage. Not as close to work as the place in midtown but costing me less for alot more and i'll actually get the money back one day...write-off on taxes too (homestead exemption)...add in how much money we're making on side jobs in the shop and it's practically paying for itself.