> someone who can buy a just okay house with a long mortgage. Look up housing prices in some major European cities (generally way less affordable that in most

> someone who can buy a just okay house with a long mortgage. Look up housing prices in some major European cities (generally way less affordable that in most of the US if adjusted by income). In London, Paris or Munich prices are about as bad as in SF or NY yet median income is considerably lower (also good luck getting a fixed 30 year mortgage, so there is also considerably more risk even if you can afford it) > suddenly become poor If you earn over €350k per year you really have to make some very poor financial decisions for that to happen. Besides from changing illnesses/accidents etc. but you would still most likely end up in a much better position financially if you saved that extra 10% you pay in taxes or went with a private insurance option. Of course healthcare is probably a different matter.