[don_draper]

Real estate is one of the biggest intergenerational scams ever. Be smart and just buy a cheaper house and then work less. pretty simple

[aantix]

"ever"? We live in an affluent neighborhood surrounded by Doctors and CPAs. Our kids see that every day. That's their normal.

And if/when there are major budget changes to the district, who do you think are the first parents in line advocating for their school?

You literally buy your kids a chance at a better future.

[sixstringtheory]

I think the person you're replying to is referring to the fact you highlight, that money is the qualifier for who lives better or worse, as part of the scam.

Should the impoverished just pull themselves up by their bootstraps harder?

Conversely, do people who reject materialistic tenets of society deserve lower quality education?

It could be that those doctors and CPAs are just following in other peoples' footsteps, following life paths prescribed for them. As a poster below mentioned, they aren't necessarily the happiest people.

Isn't part of what we're talking about is that what is considered "normal" is up for debate, and some people choose something off the beaten path of the high-powered career-oriented lifestyle? That they're diversifying the focus of their waking hours instead of putting in overtime to the man to pay insane rent, and finding out that it is gratifying?

[Tempest1981]

I kind of agree. Although I look around at those professionals every morning, and almost nobody is smiling. That worries me. And kids notice that too.

[sitkack]

School funds should be distributed equally across the entire population. If we were a democracy, rich neighborhoods wouldn't have better schools.

[afpx]

I’m sure it’s a safe bet. However, 20 years is a long time. And, 2037 will be as different from 2017 as 2017 was from 1987. I suggest hedging your bet by raising kids who are flexible and adaptable.

For instance, when I was a kid, parents who wanted their kids to have a ‘better future’ knew that college degrees were the sure thing. And, we all know how that turned out. 20% of my close high school friends are now low-wage post-docs with $100k in debt.

[s0rce]

Yah the strategy of a cheap house doesn't work as well if you have children who need an education. Most of the areas partly expensive (in high demand) because of the excellent local schools. In being expensive the schools then get even more money. Unless education funding is distributed uniformly I can't see this changing soon.

[pmorici]

Sound advice for adults w/o kids. Schools matter though and you don't want to have to worry that they can't play outside due to safety. Real concern in some places with cheaper housing.

[toomuchtodo]

My wife and I picked a low cost locale, allowing us to pay off our mortgage by mid 30s. This also allows her to be a full time parent, and we're home schooling (two kids). Also, our neighborhood is very safe (low cost housing does not equal dangerous automatically).

Not shackling yourself to a high cost of living area and all of the trappings that go with it allows you a crazy amount of options (our burn rate is under $24k/year with my income many times that).

[dominotw]

This applies only to people with no kids. Real estate is not about the house, its a premium to choose your neighbors. Birds of a feather tax.

[wbl]

That assumes you can find a job where the housing is cheap, and you won't end up with as much money. Some things are not cheaper in poor areas like flights.

[alex_anglin]

When I got my place I decided to optimize for two factors: Cheapest place, nicest neighborhood.

[enraged_camel]

"Cheapest" place often means a nasty fixer-upper, and most people don't have the time, money or expertise to fix those up.