花两万去小城市“捡套房住”的年轻人，熬不过第一年

Core Insights - The desire for homeownership remains a strong aspiration among young people in China, reflecting the development of urban economies [1] - Economic changes have led to a shift in housing preferences, with many young individuals seeking affordable options in smaller cities rather than major metropolitan areas [4][10] Group 1: Housing Market Trends - High housing prices in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have pushed young buyers to consider surrounding areas and smaller cities [2][3] - There has been a notable increase in first-time home loan applications in third-tier and lower cities, with a 22% year-on-year growth reported for Q1 2025, and 71% of applicants being under 35 years old [10] Group 2: Individual Experiences - April, a young professional, faced job loss and limited savings, prompting her to explore home buying in smaller cities, leading her to purchase a property in Shandong for only 13,500 yuan [9][11] - Despite the low cost, April's experience revealed significant issues with the property, including poor layout and sound insulation, leading her to sell it shortly after [28][30][33] Group 3: Psychological Aspects of Homeownership - For individuals like April and photographer Ni Lu, the concept of owning a home transcends financial investment, providing a sense of security and belonging [34][35] - Ni Lu's journey to buy a home in Japan highlights the emotional fulfillment associated with homeownership, despite potential risks and challenges in property conditions [20][27]