houses near us go for $850,000 to around a million and a half. there are neighborhoods within an hour drive where the houses go for more like $400,000 and up, but these aren't neighborhoods i'd care to live in for a variety of reasons.

btw, regarding the glendate arizona area. my son lived there for a year, and at the time - in 1993 and 1994 - houses were going for $65,000, and we're not talking 2 bedroom starters, either. the houses there have gone up and up, and i suspect are still going up for a while. i'd definitely look into this area as a place to invest.