My husband and I are in our late forties and still living in "early marriage". People grow up with too much and expect it right away when they are on their own. We DID find a wonderful little town with an excellent school district though. The town, however, had the wisdom to put in housing restrictions that include a minimum of THREE acres for all new construction. I also heard of a three story limit for houses but have to look into it.
Answer: No, they can't afford it by stretching so far. We did it the hard, long way and have no mortgage. We should put up a sign that says, "Don't laugh, it's paid for." It's not a palace but we are secure and I wouldn't trade that for anything. People forget that there is more to life than having it all.
Good for you----it's madness the way people live.