<prompt> Human: We live outside of DC. Ive posted beforeIm going to start putting an extra 100mo toward paying off my cars principal, which, if calculators are correct, will put me at a one year early payoff.Our lease is up in June and Id like to move to another place on a lower floor were second floor. Ive been looking at places for rent now and theyre upwards of 1500mo we currently pay 1345, and I assume if we renew it will be up to 1395mo. I wanted so badly to buy our own home come May of next year, but with only 4500 in savings, and the possibility of another 5k saved by May, I dont think thats going to happen mortgage calculators put us at or around 1500-1800mo.I dont want to stay in the apartment were in because were 2nd floor with two small kids and it annoys our downstairs neighbors. Plus, as Ive posted on reddit a billion times before, our carpets are old and they smell like cat piss in places for prior tenants owners wont replace, Ive tried every carpet treatmentcleaning solution known to man.My husband is in the restaurant industry as management, and was able to get a 5k raise when he threatened to leave a couple months ago. Unfortunately, in that industry its impossible to get into a new place making the same amount he makes now so 40k before taxes. Im in the legal industry and I feel like Ive maxed out at what I can make with the firm Im with. I could go into the city proper Im sure, and make maybe 10k more I make 45kyr now but Im paid hourly - they wont put me on salary.As for finding new jobs - like I stated, with my husbands industry its impossible to get into a new place for what he makes now. For me, its me and probably 500 other people, 200 of which are better qualified than I, applying for any one job in the legal field. I could apply and apply and apply but switching jobs isnt snap of the fingers easy, so find another job isnt really a solution here.My point is, I feel like well never survive in this city. Should we move elsewhere? And even then, how easy is it to get a job in another city? We live okay where we are now, but with rent prices increasing and our wages staying the same how are we supposed to swing it?What do you do when you can no longer afford to live in the city youre in?  <response>: Theres no shame in moving to another city. Im doing it myself in 2 years as I move into semi-retirement. Its best to live where there arent so many people who make more than you do. The good news is, there are probably lots of cities youd be happy living in.The Baltimore suggestion by usamanthais is a good one. 