Originally Posted by
wrk101
Actually, its more the opposite. Most of the USA is the land of regular pricing (what you might call cheap bikes). The other 15% are what I would call hot markets: San Fran, PNW, NYC, Boston, a few others.
You forgot a 3rd market: no selection
The op lives in an area where there may only be one or two available road bikes on Craigslist below $500 that didn't come from a department store. Months can go by before you find something that fits and is in nice shape.
For reference, the entire month of August fits on one Craigslist page.