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I think the person making $xx and living in a farmhouse on 10 acres in Idaho is richer than the person making $xxx and living in a 400 sq ft studio in Midtown.

I think the person making $xx and living in a farmhouse on 10 acres in Idaho is richer than the person making $xxx and living in a 400 sq ft studio in Midtown. I didn't always think that. Possibly my perspective has changed because I'm starting a family, and spending time with relatives and friends at home is vastly more important to me than going out on the town. You spend that time at your house, and if your house is a tiny apartment it sucks. Then you realize that you can't afford a house in the city on your $100k salary and it feels bad. Some middle-income joe in Nebraska might make 1/2 of my income, but I bet he can afford a sweet house with lots of bedrooms for all his kids - something I can't afford. Who's the rich one?

andyking 14y ago
I don't earn huge amounts, but I live in a really nice little cottage in a small rural village surrounded by amazing countryside, I eat well, own a car and a good computer, I have all the amenities of modern life, disposable leisure income, and don't really want for anything. How do I do this? I live in rural Yorkshire, near Barnsley, in a very cheap area. I would say that in real terms, I'm 'richer' than someone earning twice as much as me, but living in a similar village 30 miles outside London. There are jobs in the capital with salaries far higher than mine, that I could likely have a shot at getting if I applied, but I don't apply because I don't want to live in crowded, expensive London. I much prefer it this way, even if my bank account doesn't have as big a number next to it as someone else's. I'm happy!