You're right it ain't cheap... That's why I'll be moving back to the motherland. I was just out here finishing up school. I hear back my scores for the Texas Bar in the next two weeks, and my move back to DFW will likely be completed soon thereafter.
But I've got friends and family living in brand new houses (3 & 4 BR) who are paying $500 less per month than I was paying for my little 2 BR 1000 square foot apartment. And my rent was cheap for the area.