Heh...I'm far from Park Ave in NY.  I live in Vermont.  The Southernmost tip, actually.
And you say housing is unaffordable? Try Massachusetts. I couldn't get anything bigger than a shoebox here for under $200,000. 
Damn. I was hoping to move to Vermont, you know, it being the Tree-Huggin'-Gay-Lovin'*-Liberal Mecha and all...Mass. just isn't Liberal enough for me.  
 *I'm not gay though....not....that there's anything wrong with it.
*I'm not gay though....not....that there's anything wrong with it.What's an "average" home go for around there?
mrC