Yes I think it's an incentive.
I know what you mean Callistemon, our old house, a mile or so away, came on the market a couple of years ago and we definitely couldn't afford it now, although have to say it wasn't the house we'd left, they'd extended it all over the place. We have been toying with the idea of moving out a few miles, have spent a lot of time visiting various towns to imagine what it would be like living there, of course how any of them weather these terrible times remains to be seen.
I didn't intend to make this thread about a north/south divide, salaries aren't always commensurate with over inflated house prices. My son and girlfriend had to go 40 miles or so outside the capital to buy a house, and then of course there is the extortionate cost of commuting in every day, prior to working from home right now, which won't last for ever. The cost of their rail journeys are something in the region of over £4,000 plus per annum each.
Elliane thanks for the heads up about the other thread, I'd definitely be over there if we set the ball rolling, but have to say still thinking about it. I'm so much better at thinking about changes than implementing them though.