<prompt> Human: Hi PF,My spouse and I are looking to purchase a home in the next year or two, possibly as early as August 2019. Were moving about 4 hours away because Im going back to school this summer for to start a doctorate program, and my stipend will be 28k for about 5-6 years. My spouse has approached the subject with his boss and will be able to transfer to the branch there and make 50k. We have friends and family who live in the area were moving to and were familiar with it, love the city, and my goal is to find a job there with my PhD and settle down. The city itself has a lot of positions available for PhDs in my area of study biotechpharma, so Im hoping this wont be a problem down the line.With that out of the way, we have been saving money. My spouse is adamant on putting 25 down to avoid being house poor. Homes weve been looking at in the area range from 150-200k but they need some work to get them to where I like them, and some that Ive looked at that are nicer are 200-225k. We have 50k saved up right now for a downpayment, 10k for emergency fund. His credit score is 780, mine is 810.We have plans to rent for a year or two while I get my finances figured out while Im in school I dont know how taxes or my stipend income will work while Im in school yet, and then we might buy. We have no debt. Ive plugged our income and downpayment numbers into calculators on line, and even the 225k house is deemed as affordable with a modest surplus at the end of the month, but is that really the case? 225k seems so high for people making 78k a year and my husband thinks well be house poor if we go above 175k. Do you think we could reasonably afford a house around 200k and not be house poor?My only reservation in this is that Im not sure if the job market will be as good in 5-6 years from now when I get my degree. I have a lot of job experience, so if I were to leave for whatever reason, Im certain I could find something that will pay me more than 28k a year.I can break down our current monthly budgets if you need it.  <response>: Another 3 times your income, not more response. 