Three weeks into the research and the data is telling interesting stories.
Turns out housing affordability in regional cities is more complicated than "cheaper houses = more affordable." Some regional centers have a worse price-to-income ratio than nearby capitals. The gap isn't just about house prices - it's about local wages, job opportunities, and infrastructure investment.
Cities with diverse economies and good infrastructure are thriving. Towns dependent on one industry are vulnerable. Not rocket science, but seeing it in the data makes it real.
The human side matters too. Behind every statistic is someone making hard decisions about where to live and build their life. Young families, retirees, career starters - all weighing trade-offs between housing costs, income potential, and lifestyle.
Research is messy. Some days feel like breakthroughs. Other days are just troubleshooting data issues. Learning to be patient with the process.