I think 12k or 13k a year is realistic in America for a single person, although it would not be easy surviving on this amount (especially if one has a family).

I think 12k or 13k a year is realistic in America for a single person, although it would not be easy surviving on this amount (especially if one has a family). Not in NYC or San Fran, but again that's incentive to work if one wants to live in the most expensive areas.