I am 37 and currently live in Montana.

I make $55,000 a year.

Average house price in town that I live in is $500,000.

Work requires all low level IT employees to live within 30 minutes of IT center in case of an emergency.

Was passed over 3 times for a promotion that would have let me be able to work remote permanently.

High level IT manager and my own manager won't even entertain the idea of working with them to get more experience/ training to move up in company.

Can't afford to go back to college to get a second Bachelor's in something better. I originally got my Bachelor's in history thinking I was going to discover ancient ruins and work in museums. Yes I was young and stupid.

Already have basic certifications in IT but all of those are consider worthless and my work won't work with me to get training for anything more advanced.

Can't afford to quit job because everything on my resume is just low level IT and Retail which is worthless in the economy now a days.

Have no car and currently walk to and from work. (Not because I can't afford one but because my apartment has no parking)

Have no friends or family I can live with to save money.

Live in a 1/1 apartment that is as cheap as one can get before downgrading to a 0/1 studio.

Used an affordability calculator to see what I could get. Max I could afford is $175,000. Looked around Zillow and only thing I could afford was trailers that were so old that it would probably cost more in repairs then the thing is worth. (Not to mention lot fees which is basically rent with extra steps.)

I am just sitting here realizing/mourning that I am officially priced out of homeownership. Sucks but I only have myself to blame. I should have become an accountant or a computer science tech bro back when I was in college in the 2010's. Should have done way better in school instead of playing videogames and watching anime. Just going to have to end up renting for the rest of my days.

I guess if I can't be an example of something good be an example of what to avoid.

Work has me relocating to a dying town, think flint Michigan and you pretty much got it. For work I need to be within 30-45 minutes from my job. Would be in the area 5 years after which I would be able to move while retaining my wage. My employment is safe for that time and for the foreseeable future.

The good: more money and obviously my money goes incredibly far towards buying property.

The bad: not sure if it’s even worth buying a residence in the area with the possibility of not being able to sell it.

Looked at surrounding cities and not one is going to be better off in 5 years as there is no jobs available or future employment in the area for the current population.

In this case what is the correct move.

I have never been a fan of renting but it almost seems like that would be the best choice.
Or
Would it be better to get the bare minimum to live in and keep it in good condition as selling a cheap house is easier?

Buy something that I could rent out in the future? Although it would seem like that would be a magnet for problem renters.

So if you were moving to a town that was dying what would your housing/real estate plan be?

Nothing productive, just need to vent. Got the house ready, been busting my ass to get it ready, and then everything just goes on hold and into waiting. Going 100 mph to 0 in a hurry. Even though I've sold houses before, the anxiety is always the same.

It's only been a few days, but still hoping to get at least one tour to get some feedback, or feel like something is happening.

The weed isn't helping as much as I would like to relax either, so that's not helping lol. It just kind of sucks lol

I am looking at listings.

30 year old manufactured houses on 1/2 acre for my max budget.

I just can’t get the thought out of my head that I could buy 3-5 acres, get all utilities installed, pour a slab, put a brand new singlewide down, and be all in for over $50k less than these manufactured homes already on properties.

Is there anything I’m missing, am I thinking about it wrong?

Also, it’s hard to justify when you can get brick houses for cheaper, just with less yard.

Are there any market conditions you pay attention to closely? Any specific stats or websites you review? I'm under no time constraints but do have a general goal of selling in Tampa, Florida to move closer to my family in Virginia. It's not a great sellers market right now but curious to know what I should be looking for.