Great piece. You have to travel to Spain, France, Italy, etc. to see the difference in quality of life for yourself. The basics are better and cheaper--bread, coffee, cheese, sausage, vegetables. You can buy an inexpensive meal at a cafe or tabac and spend an unbothered hour or two. The waiters won't rush you --which Americans interpret as being rude-- and the quality is good. And public transportation is stunningly better. You don't need a car.