As some people have known, Hoen and I want to get a house next year if finances are manageable. Omaha is relatively cheap on real estate compared to the coastal states for obvious reasons. A house costing $200K here already has 3-4 rooms, 2 storeys, a basement and your own backyard. In New Jersey, $200K is a shack.

For months now, we have been looking around, admiring areas where raising families is most suitable and where the views are amazing. Last Saturday, we were at Dan's place to watch some Football at his basement. His friends brought their kids with them and I saw the lot of really nice and pricey toys like toy washing machines, the latest lego work table, bicycles, puzzle sheets, etc. I couldn't help but imagine our lives being like that one day. In our case, our basement will MOST LIKELY have a TV with a treadmill and some workout stuff all over the place. Of course, the place can be a playroom for our kid(s).

Now, everytime we see a really nice area with these really nice houses and well manicured lawns and their 2-car garages, I end up wishing everything will be ok with us here, including the issuance of our Green Card as soon as possible. Not that our buying of a house depends on the GC, but the more secure we are the better our chances of getting what we want will be. I have never been this way-- imagining our lives with kids and that basketball ring along the driveway but I guess this is so in our horizon now. If I had my way, I wouldn't want for us to live in an area with a very strict covenant where all the houses end up looking the same. I don't know how hard or easy it is to have your way here. We will have to explore on that.

Here's are pics of a row of houses right across a driving range and golf course. This made me sigh. Suya kaayo ko. =)