Why Does Every Generation Feel Stressed Out?

Recently, we received a few thoughtful comments on one of our short videos about what Millennials and Gen Z value in homeownership. If you haven’t seen it yet, click the link in the description to watch.

First, let me say—I’m grateful for the comments. The conversation matters, and I take these perspectives seriously. At the same time, I think it’s worth clarifying the purpose of that short video. The audience was primarily home sellers who are preparing to put their property on the market and want to understand what today’s buyers are looking for. It wasn’t meant to be a deep dive into the root causes of housing affordability.

Still, since the topic came up, let’s talk about it. I’ll respond directly to a few of the comments we received, and then step back to look at the bigger picture—because while “affordable real estate” feels like a myth in 2025, the story is more complex than sound bites on social media.

Comment 1: “Younger generations have been systematically priced out of the market.”

@michaelwhitford2347 wrote:
“You completely miss the root cause of why this is the case. It's not personal preference, younger generations have been systematically priced out of the market. Take a look at housing/rent prices compared to average income over time and you will understand the situation a little better.”

My Response:
Michael, I hear you. This video wasn’t about affordability, but let’s go there.

When I bought my first home at 26, I felt priced out too. It was a $57,000 cinder block house, nothing fancy, but it was all I could afford. My rent was $410 a month, and the $475 mortgage payment terrified me. I was barely making it, and I remember sitting at the kitchen table wondering if I had made a huge mistake.

Here’s what I’ve learned since then: affordability is driven less by the price of homes and more by the relationship between income and expenses. Interest rates today, even in the 7% range, are still lower than what many Gen X buyers faced in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Home prices are set by supply and demand, not by a conspiracy to shut out young buyers.

What makes the difference is income. If your skills are limited, your salary will be limited, and that directly affects what you can afford. That’s not a criticism—it’s a reality. The good news is that skills can grow, and income can grow with them.

A year ago, I worked with a young couple in their early 20s. No degrees. One was a single mom with two kids who started in fast food, moved into retail, then delivery gigs, and finally landed at a local factory. She worked her way into HR training. Her partner got into a federal security job with a path to stability and growth. They were scared to take on the mortgage, but they did it. Today, a year later, they’re thriving.

The takeaway? No one is systematically blocking you from success. The system rewards skill, persistence, and value. You are the variable in your story, and the strongest move you can make is to improve your position by increasing your skills.

Comment 2: “Yeah you had low cost to get into that stuff. We’re just trying to pay bills.”

@SirFailureOfKnights wrote:
“Yeah you had low cost to get into that stuff. We are just trying to pay bills.”

My Response:
Believe me, I understand what “just trying to pay bills” feels like. As a newlywed in my 20s, my wife and I lived with three other guys in a two-bedroom apartment. We ate Top Ramen because it’s all we could afford. To buy her engagement ring, I saved for three months to scrape together $100 to buy a used ring.

Yes, housing was less expensive in absolute dollars, but wages were lower too. I was making $6.75 an hour, often without a full 40 hours a week. There was no $12 minimum wage. I worked two jobs and picked up side gigs with contractor friends just to make ends meet.

Every generation feels squeezed when they’re starting out. That’s the nature of building from scratch. Today’s “high costs” will look like “low costs” to the next generation. That’s how inflation and economic growth work over time.

You’re a gamer, and you know that every level has hidden tricks you need to figure out to pass. You fail more than you succeed at first, but you keep trying. Life is no different. Social media sells shortcuts, but real life rewards persistence, learning, and problem-solving.

Comment 3: “Maybe the job market is so messed up that Millennials can’t afford a house.”

@Watcher413 wrote:
“Or maybe the job market is so messed up that Millennials can’t afford a house so they don’t attempt to buy a house.”

My Response:
The job market goes through cycles. Sometimes it’s up and employers are hiring aggressively. Sometimes it’s down and businesses tighten up. That’s not a permanent condition—it’s the ebb and flow of the economy.

Here’s the other piece: if your income isn’t where you want it to be, you can’t wait for the market to fix it for you. You have to find ways to create value. That might mean a side hustle, investing in training, or even starting your own business.

I learned this lesson in 2001. I was a bank manager, moving up in the company, when my wife and I had our first child. She wanted to stay home, and we needed her income replaced. I left my comfortable salary to take a 100% commission position running the mortgage department. In six weeks, I had replaced her income. It was risky, but it taught me that income is a reflection of the value you bring.

If you want to buy a home, affordability is not just about prices. It’s about your ability to level up your income and create stability. That’s not easy—but it is possible.

Why “Affordable Real Estate” Feels Like a Myth

So where does that leave us in Albuquerque in 2025?

Yes, median prices have climbed, and yes, wages haven’t always kept up at the same pace. That’s why many people feel homeownership is out of reach. But affordability has never been static. Boomers struggled in the ’70s with double-digit mortgage rates. Gen X scraped by in the ’90s with low wages. Millennials and Gen Z are facing today’s challenges—but the fundamentals are the same.

Every generation starts with less experience, lower pay, and fewer resources. Over time, with persistence and skill-building, they gain stability and move up. It’s not about waiting for the market to become “fair.” It’s about finding a way forward, one step at a time.

A Word to Home Sellers

If you’re a homeowner preparing to sell in Albuquerque today, these conversations are important for you too. The buyers walking through your door are often young families or first-time buyers. They’re nervous about affordability, just like you were when you bought your first place.

That means presentation, pricing, and preparation matter more than ever. Buyers may be stretched thin, but they will pay for value when they see it. Homes that are clean, staged, and move-in ready stand out. Properties that are priced strategically attract multiple offers—even in a market where affordability is the hot topic.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to look at headlines or comment threads and conclude that affordable housing is a myth in 2025. But history tells us otherwise. Every generation has faced challenges, and every generation has also found a way forward.

Yes, housing is expensive. Yes, wages and job markets fluctuate. But the path to homeownership has always involved risk, persistence, and responsibility. It’s not about blaming external forces. It’s about becoming the strong link in your own story.

So to the younger generations: your frustrations are valid, but don’t stop there. Learn, grow, adapt, and find your way. And to today’s home sellers: understand that these buyers are navigating fears and realities that look a lot like yours once did. That perspective will help you prepare your home to sell faster and for more.

I’m Joshua Christensen with Christensen Properties, powered by R1 of New Mexico. For more real estate insights like this, subscribe, share, and connect. And if you’re ready to buy or sell in Albuquerque, visit our website to learn how we can help you reach your real estate goals.