I've lived in rural Normandy, and it's pretty cheap there too. You can get your large house, land, hunting licence, etc.
It's even cheaper in the bit in the middle where no-one lives.
Tax allowances in France mean you don't pay much (if anything) if you don't earn much.
No doubt the tax burden is higher in France than the US, but there's no political will to slash public services to US levels, nor would there be public support. Sarkozy tried to move in that direction, and despite being elected to do so, it was incredibly unpopular and he basically made no progress.
It's even cheaper in the bit in the middle where no-one lives.
Tax allowances in France mean you don't pay much (if anything) if you don't earn much.
No doubt the tax burden is higher in France than the US, but there's no political will to slash public services to US levels, nor would there be public support. Sarkozy tried to move in that direction, and despite being elected to do so, it was incredibly unpopular and he basically made no progress.