[clicks]

That's because of extreme poverty on the very lower end (also, I always wonder if these age expectancy numbers are taking into account low child mortality rates). If you take care of yourself well in India, you'll be fine.

To be clear, I'm not advocating here that hey if you're in poverty here might as well leave the country, I'm saying if things are not working out spectacularly, you're stuck with a dead-end job (or are having trouble finding employment despite a degree), and you are adventurous/wouldn't mind a big cultural change, you can think about it carefully and plan things out and you'll be fine. Getting out of America for a better life is a very real and viable option in this day for some people.

[tptacek]

The very lower end? 97% of Indian townships lack water treatment. Only 30% of Indians live in major metro areas.

[clicks]

It's reasonable to assume that in the context of our discussion, the hypothetical young America would probably choose to locate himself in a metro, urban area where there's ample supply of good water.

But, I agree with you India probably isn't the best possible choice here (but still, as others have pointed out, if you have America money (say, 80k), you'll be living there like a king). There's still a lot of other countries besides America that might be a good fit for you.

[w1ntermute]

I've heard that Thailand is a very pleasant (and cheap) place to live.