Being near work is gold. My friends just bought a home near there (down black lake past Trader Joes about 6 mins). I am so happy for them, but seriously worried as well. Their mortage is 2500$ a month, $500 in taxes, $100 for deposit insurance (didn't have the full amount for the deposit), and other basic costs bring it almost up to $3500 before utitlities/internet etc. They both work, but they have an adorable 1 1/2 year old daughter (they lived with me from last jan to June so I think of them as family).
I could never put myself in a position where I had to have that much income non-stop for decades or I'd lose the house.
I do wish everything would be cheaper, I rent a room for $600, which is more then I have paid since I sold my house 4 years ago, but while it started off pretty high compared to most other rooms (Paid 400 at the last place and $500 the place before that), now it's closer to the norm (and much nicer than most other than being on steamboat island which is 30 mins from civilization).
I need to move actually, into town myself, so I can work somewhere nearby and actually go out fairly often. I rarely ever get out of the house since it's so far into town and that was before winter started. Now even before the snow, the steep hill is covered in maple leaves and I have to rake them all before I can get my car up it (It literally spun the wheels then started sliding bakcwards down the hill 2 weeks ago, I ended up hitting a tree backwards to prevent the car from continuing to speed up and hit the house).
I just hate moving honestly, and the little looking I have done, there wasn't great choices (usually isn't right before and during winter as everyone tries to get inside).
I heard they are going to be building affordable housing all across Washington though, but I think it's a long term plan so prob won't affect us for awhile.
I really wish I had stayed at the College Glen Apartments, that was such a good deal and it was like 100 feet from Safeway (which rocked so hard) and tons of places to eat etc. It was also right on the main bus line for Olympia so I didn't need to drive as much. If I could move back there I will in a millisecond.
I looked into moving there like a month and a half ago. Average houses being about 400-500k. ---