Having just bought my first home in the last year, I have wrestled with this issue in a very personal way, and continue to everyday.

One of the biggest issues for me, revolves around the current pricing of housing, and its relation to a intentional single income family, such as my own. Here is what i mean:

when my family relocated to Austin, we wanted to live within 7 miles (or much closer) to my office in downtown. But, we also had a new baby girl, and decided that it was important for us for my wife to stay home with her.

Because of this choice to live on one income, our housing choices close to downtown pretty much evaporated. i make a pretty good salary, but it was still pretty impossible to live close, and have a 3 bedroom home in a reasonably safe neighborhood. We really want to have 3 bedrooms, as my wife loves to be hospitable, and open up our home to guest, friends, and family.

It just seems that the majority of housing is priced for two income families, thus making it nearly impossible to live close to downtown. Does that make sense? Have you, or anyone close to you, experienced this issue?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this in regards to your take on exurbs.

As I’m growing up, being blessed with a family, honing my

trade, and settling in to a city, I am daily wrestling with how to be a part of God’s work.

In particular, your quote from kester brewin, and the issues it brings up cause me the most headaches. How do we live in this culture, without being consumed by the same vices that I despise?

Also, Brittany and I are in training right now to lead q missional community here with the Austin stone, so you writings could not have come at q better time!