My "requirements" are pretty simple: low crime. I've lived in too many bad neighborhoods, and my current complex has turned into a ghetto for the disaffected hispanic masses of Tampa. I'm honestly one of the few white males left in the area, and I never leave my apt. without my XD40 on my hip, regardless of the time of day.
I don't have much of a choice concerning my move back with my mother. I've worked for 4 years since graduating from college to get my credit in line. I have a stellar credit rating and very low debt, but I have no assets to bring to the table for a home loan. In this part of the state, two teachers, married, at the area's teacher's salary cannot afford a starter home, which is apparently in the low 200's.
I've looked around, and even the condos in this area are out of reach. If I lower my standards to going back to the ghettos, I'll wind up with a property that will never grow in value.
And for those who say to get another apartment: last weekend I went out apt. hunter. After 13 complexes, 11 of them were going condo and the other 2 had misc. issues (no pets, for instance). It's impossible to find a decent place to live, so I'm going to help mom around the house, fix it up, clean up the yard, and maybe she'll leave it to me and move out to a condo of her own (she's talked about this).
And on the issue at hand: boys are not growing up to be men anymore. Why should they? Women are all independent and want to be the breadwinners... why shouldn't the man stay at home, take care of the kids and play video games?
I'm a traditionalist when it comes to men. I want to be the breadwinner. Problem is that women are stubborn and don't like that I push back. I've railed on plenty of male vs. female issues as of late. I don't need to get into it here.
Consider heading south too, North Port, Ft Myers and Cape Coral are still affordable (although not for long). I fled FL 8 years ago for greener pastures, I miss the west coast and fishing off the sand bars - but paying the bills was a bigger priority.