Reading your article, I'm grateful once again that I live (on little more than social security) in France. My rent, which I share with my partner is 700 euros/$680. We live quite frugally--wine in this region is inexpensive and very good, I can buy mussels for about 3 euros from the shellfish van that comes to the village every Thursday, a baguette from the boulangerie is one euro or so and if we want a splurge we drive to Spain, about two hours south, where living is even cheaper. Even if I wanted to move back, I don't think I could afford to live in the States now. You're very right though--whereever you live, a good life is about more than the money you've accumulated.