How expensive can the property be?

everything is doable, we are doing it right now. Working Monday to Friday, going to the house on Saturdays and holidays. Set realistic goals, push hard, persevere and be imaginative, don't let setbacks stop you. Anyone who doesn't see this as an option has no sense of urgency, then it simply isn’t important enough to them.

But you forget that the OP wrote here, "without significantly compromising quality of life," and I don’t see that as possible.

Who would want to live in Heischebrügge, Krummich or Hemschedoohl with the Spessarträuber or the Kahlgründer Bauerntrampeln?

Heigenbrüggen has a new train station, you have good connections, even at the foot of the Odenwald you can find affordable houses and are right in Aschebersch and the surrounding area.

I almost ended up in Heischebrügge, they once had great real estate there for a while. Others go on vacation there!

You forget, however, that the OP wrote here, "without significantly sacrificing quality of life" and I don't see a possibility there

is of course a flexible term. Does "without significantly" now mean that 10..20 or 45 minutes of travel are still acceptable? Only he himself can answer that.

is of course a flexible term. Does "without much" now mean that 10..20 or 45 minutes of travel time is still acceptable? Only he himself can answer that.

Quality of life also means not having to restrict oneself with vacations, hobbies, and purchases (?)

If you think like that, you won't get anywhere. Exactly for these reasons, Germany has such a low rate of homeownership; people no longer dare to do anything and would rather pay 800 € rent somewhere for nothing.
n.

That is nonsense to the tenth power. As if real estate were the only way to achieve financial success in life. Of course, if you don't master financial mathematics, you pour a huge lump sum of money into a property and have nothing else beyond that! Well done! (Warning sarcasm)

That is nonsense to the power of ten. As if a property is the only way to achieve financial success in life. Of course, if you are not a master of financial mathematics, you throw a huge lump sum of money into a property and have nothing else beyond that! Everything done correctly! (Warning sarcasm)

Hopefully, one has a trustworthy bank advisor, a good environment that stands by you for advice and talks these confusing thoughts out of your head. But not for a civil servant with a good income and a secure job. For many – as some noticed during Corona, hence the rush on allotment gardens – a nice, own garden – belonging to one’s own four walls – can also convey a certain holiday feeling, a sense of peace.