I’m used to casino limits in the max range of 150-250 BB at 1/2 and 100-200 BB at 2/5. I find it sometimes a tough balance in home games.
In most of the home games I play in, it seems like people tend to buy in a lot shorter. The guy who buys into a 2/5 game for $500 tends to get dirty looks, with a lot of the others buying for $200-$300—even though in casino $500 at 2/5 would often be viewed as the sign of a weak/underolled player.
The “tough balance” part I think has mostly to do with people’s different bankrolls. Some are prepared to peel repeatedly for as much as $1K at 2/5, while others never buy in for more than the minimum and rarely buy back in more than twice.
As a host in an area with a limited pool of 2/5 players, I have to consider what makes for a better game (deeper stacks, IMHO) and what ensures that the game keeps going off. I know that I’ll lose about half my cash player pool if I allow for giant buyins, as the worse-rolled players will bow out.