I imagine is stressful to have an illness no matter what. I have the option to fairly easily move to the UK since my wife is a citizen there. We did the math and decided we prefer our higher standard of living here (we budgeted it all out and I went as far to do some phone interviews, we would have to move into a small apartment there as opposed to a house and we would both not only make less but pay much higher taxes). Risk/reward is a balance, I prefer the US way but you may differ.

You didn't address my comments at all.

Sure, you prioritizing having a big house over not worrying about having to cough up $5k in even of an illness. Or worrying about losing your health insurance. Medical expenses are covered somewhat by insurance but you're still getting a huge bill if you're significantly ill.

I was damn lucky I could afford it but if I go sick a few years earlier I'd be totally and completely fucked. Of course, if you can't imagine it you can't appreciate it.

We both have health insurance and both of our out of pocket maximums in health savings accounts as well as one years expenses in liquid assets not to mention our retirement accounts. We also both have short and long term disability though our jobs. If both of us became ill there is a possible scenario that we have to sell the house, yes but we prefer to have the oppuntinity to own a home as opposed to renting a apartment with slightly less risk. It isn't a big home, it is extremely modest and costs less than an apartment in our area. Our mortgage is our only debt.

We got here by saving together and living in a one room apartment for 5 years. We don't have new cars or iPhones and we go out to eat about once a year (that we pay for her mother offers to take us out from time to time). I just upgraded my 30 inch CRT TV to a 50 inch 4K after a decade of loyal service. Its not for everyone but its certainly not impossible. I make about 43k a year pretax and she makes 37k for reference. Median income nationally is 55k or so and about 75k in my county so I suspect a great many people have the opportunity to do just as we have done.