'I Believe I Meet The Definition Of House Poor' — Nurse Says $259K Lake House 'Is Holding Me Back Significantly'

Core Insights - A 32-year-old nurse is experiencing financial strain from her $259,000 lake house mortgage, which consumes nearly half of her biweekly paycheck of $1,950 [1][2] - The nurse has $24,000 in student loans and feels "house poor," questioning whether to sell, rent, or wait for a potential income increase [1][2] Financial Situation - The lake house is a 900-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath property that the nurse describes as her "dream home," but it has become difficult to sustain [2] - The estimated selling price of the home is around $350,000, which could allow her to purchase a smaller starter property [3] Community Feedback - Reddit users provided various strategies, with some suggesting to keep the home due to the potential for salary increases over time [4] - Others recommended finding new income sources, such as overtime shifts or renting the property through platforms like Airbnb, although the nurse is hesitant to share her living space [5] Broader Implications - The discussion sparked wider conversations about housing affordability, with commenters questioning the nurse's take-home pay of less than $4,000 monthly, which seems low compared to national averages for nurses [6]