What % of your net income do you spend on housing?

I’m in the late stages of interviewing for a really good job and am expecting an offer in early January. It’s just delayed because of the holidays. I am trying to game plan for my financial future and want to buy a condo or house in three years. For the next three years my husband and I plan on wiping out our $90k of debt.

We will collectively make about $200k gross and approximately 10k/month net. I find it laughable that the “rule” is to spend 25% on housing because that would mean our housing cost should be $2500/month. You can’t even rent a decent two bedroom apartment for 2500/month anymore.

I know the situation might change for the better over the next three years, but there’s a chance they could get worse too.

How the hell are you guys affording to live in New Jersey anymore??? I never dreamed I’d be making this much money and still can’t buy a house.

$2500/month can get like a $280,000 house now. There’s barely any condos for that price.

I don’t even live in an expensive area. We live in Butler and want to stay between Vernon and Pompton Plains.

What advice do you have for us? Thank you