Condo is PAID off and my property tax assessment is low, like based on $240,000.

So if I sell the condo, then take a BUNCH of money from savings (or a mortgage) to get a detached house I'll be assessed on the the full price of the new house, probably $800,000 or up. That's like $600 a month more than what I pay now.

Then, in my case, an $800,000 house is the lowest or the low-end of the market in San Diego, so it'll be more money for a very basic house - not a dream-home. (link to an $880k house on the *busiest* street in my area: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5356-Waring-Rd-San-Diego-CA-92120/17194274_zpid/ , and a $700k in a house in an area that's 'okay' but that I would not want to live in: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9332-Pebble-Beach-Dr-Santee-CA-92071/16885955_zpid/)

Maybe focusing on money is the issue - maybe we should focus on happiness instead.

Because you might be able to hustle more money in the future, but your probably not going to be able to clean up the neighborhood/city/state/country.

(moneywise it makes 1000 times more sense for me to stay put.)