Yes, inexpensive homes are not in plain sight of the metropolis. They are in low crime, low tax areas, and you don’t need much of a job to pay a $100/month mortgage and property taxes of $300/year...but it can get pretty boring, not having a real job. ;)
I see you live in New Jeresy...where on EARTH are there homes like that around here? I recently moved here, as I accepted a position in NYC. My rent has spiked, but the increase in my salary more than covered the cost. However, the housing market for buying around here seems impossible to break into, at least not for a few more years when I’m earning some more money.