While this might be true, for clarification on my original question I'm not actually that interested in the 'whole picture' analysis of (income - expenditure).

While this might be true, for clarification on my original question I'm not actually that interested in the 'whole picture' analysis of (income - expenditure). In the UK rural property is generally more expensive in addition to being remote. But then, our urban/semi-urban housing doesn't really resemble suburbia in the same way. Streets with detached homes, large drive, etcetera are relatively rare - more common would be semi-detached. (This post has me wanting to visit the US now... all of my knowledge is gleaned from photos and hanging around American folk online, heh) I mean; it sounds to me that a few years salary could enable you to live out in the sticks and 'retire' for a long time, if not indefinitely. That sort of thing would be impossible in the UK; ex-social housing in a run down town is probably your best bet. It might be that I'm framing things wrongly simply because housing (and property tax) is so expensive here. All other expenses are practically negligible in comparison. $3-4000 a year could buy you basic food, utilities, and a computer to hack away on.