*sigh* I know... trust me, if I could afford a single family, I'd be in one. I've tried that avenue, and unfortunately either I'd have to pack some metal of my own to keep up with the neighbors, or I'd have to plan on a full renovation. As Zeph pointed out... the market in Dallas is very competitive locally, but can't compare to the NE market. So the beautiful home that I sold for about $150K would easily cost me about $400K here. It makes my head hurt and my heart ache... but I made the choice to move here and now I have to take the consequences that go with it.

I spent all weekend condo hunting and I found them all to be rather unique - and some of course were better than others. I weighed the good with the bad and made an offer and lost it to an earlier and higher than asking price offer. I was prepared to make a second offer in the same complex tonight and my realtor called back to let me know that they were a signature away from accepting an offer. I couldn't compete with the offer on the table. Which leaves me with my #3, which I'm having a hard time coming to grips with in my mind. My gut says don't settle, so I think I'm holding out. I've identified complexes that I would be more happy in and that's where we are focusing. I know complexes that are definitely out of my sight now too.