[boryas]

What about the fact that tons of people can afford super nice things today by the standards of even 20 years ago? Imagine going back in time 20 years and showing somebody the iphone 4. Or going back 100 years and showing them the beat up junkers people drive in India. Both of those would be miracles, and yet today are very affordable.

[api]

Super nice, yes, but not essential. Everything essential is more expensive, often by quite a margin. Housing is insane.

[prostoalex]

You have to be very specific about housing.

Some is very cheap http://www.trulia.com/for_sale/Detroit,MI/10000p_price/price...

And some is very expensive http://homesoftherich.net/2013/05/30000-square-foot-tudor-ma...

If price is the factor, deals can be found.