Are we crazy?

I was in my Home Staging Specialist certification class this week when a discussion about relative real estate values came up. This class was filled with Raveis agents from across the lovely Commonwealth. We were on our way to stage a listing in Chestnut Hill and after reviewing the property the agents from Norwell, East Longmeadow and Lexington were aghast at what $1.2 million dollars bought them in Brookline. I heard all of the snide comments about how they had spectacular waterfront listings with 4 car garages that were immaculately renovated, etc... It caused me to chuckle a little bit, because my little 2 bed condo in Coolidge Corner would probably cost as much as a house with a lovely yard that Tessie (my English Cream Golden Retriever) could call her own. Then I read this. I pay to live here because I love the fact that my wife can walk to work every day. I love the fact that we can leave Tessie 20 minutes before game time and be in Fenway before the Anthem. I love the fact that when family comes to visit I am out to dinner at Abe & Louie's in 20 minutes without having to get parking. When I made the switch from my old office (which I walked to every day) to my current office (I sadly have to drive a whole 10 minutes now) I regained my appreciation for the suburban feel we get living here, even though we are completely surrounded by Boston. I don't feel like I live in a city at all. Parts of Brookline remind me of the Connecticut towns I grew up in, but when I want to be in Boston I don't have to worry about how to get there or how long it might take.