Then you're a minority of one. Most people living in cities these days are irrationally pouring typically between 50% to sometimes as much as 75% of their inco

Then you're a minority of one. Most people living in cities these days are irrationally pouring typically between 50% to sometimes as much as 75% of their income into rent, paying for the privilege of holding onto expensive real-estate they will never be able to afford rather than save money... they'll never be able to retire or have anything else more permanent. You're making some very broad, self-centered assumptions about quality of life and perception of other people. Not everyone needs lattés or 3500 sq ft / 325 m^2. No one cares to live in the Saskatchewan boondocks apart to get away from the city, so why did you bring that up irrelevant strawman? Some people also value independence more than being perpetually-indebted to a company (non-single-payer health insurance / rent).