Like most markets, there is a growing trend in the area due to affordability and increasing more things to do. 

We’re drawn to relatively affordable areas that may be more resilient to climate change in the long run (though we know nowhere is immune).Buffalo has caught our attention because of the growing investments in the area, which we think could drive future economic growth.

This would mean that generally the households in that area wouldn't be able to afford more than $1125 per month. 

The money you invest needs to be money that you don't need back for at least five years, and to put it bluntly, you can afford to lose it all in the (hopefully unlikely) event that the investment fails. 

I don't think we will be able to afford a 1.5M+ mortgage without a huge down payment (sale of our house).I feel this would be going backwards as we would focus on one property preventing us to do other things.

It's a stalemate due to affordability and either wages or prices give, I would bet the latter. 

Seeing as how in today's society the rich get richer and incomes aren't keeping up with the stock market, people in rich areas can afford richer rents.

Odds are your newer builds are on the outskirts of a city into the suburbs where people fight to get a property if it’s affordable.

I want to avoid falling into a mindset of thinking we can't afford to invest because of the needs in front of us.

Have invested in ABQ with first purchase in 2020 - and that was based on my knowledge as a film/TV friendly area and affordability.