Our grandparents built their homes on land in the country outside of the large cities (the cities grew over time and engulfed them).
Their homes were small wooden 2 bedroom 1 bath homes on blocks with no AC and no appliances.
When you are unable to find an affordable home that fits that description, then I will start having sympathy for you.
Well, perhaps a super-rich resource hoarder will someday fund the time travel breakthrough which will allow him to travel back in time and relentlessly out bid your grandparents, creating an alternate reality in which you understand basic economics.