Are those the same people that tell me to move out of the city into a bigger place and commute in? They seem pretty smug about their choice, “you paid how much for your tiny little house? You could buy a mansion for that here”

Well this is why those people are wrong.

As the parent comment mentioned, they're also the ones that didn't appreciate in the 2010s (after crazy appreciation in the 90s/00s): https://www.meilleursagents.com/prix-immobilier/ile-de-franc...

Note that it depends on the locality though, some places manage to find the sweet spot - not too far and still not that expensive. In some cities this doesn't exist.

Here in the UK the AA come out every time theres a budget, asking for lower fuel duty for "hard pressed motorists".

The reality is fuel isn't that expensive, as evidenced by the fact that large 4x4s are getting increasingly popular, and people are happy to drive the half mile to the local shop to buy a pint of milk.

Edit: Plus EVs are a thing now, if fuel prices really were that bad.

[1] - https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/France/oil_consumption/

In the UK you get into the centre of London from many places outside, on public transport, faster than you can cross London. And buy the much bigger property.

Can't be possible to keep everything always cheap unfortunately, while living in the city is more expensive

Look at AQI of New York, compare it with Cardiff.

Not only people living in small cities are missing opportunities but also quality air, water and other inputs.

What do you even mean??

Houses also have thick shutters, which once closed (which you usually do during the day) tend to retain cold better than without.

People in France also tend to take 3-4 weeks off in July / August as well (and business tend to be slower during those months as well), and tend to have wardrobes which are better suited to the season they’re in as well.

The climate is also slightly nicer as well, it gets less hot than in say Arizona :-).

It absorbs heat and releases it over time. It’s the direct opposite of an insulator, it’s thermal mass.

If it’s cold outside concrete will swiftly radiate away any heat it has retained and you’ll find yourself in quite the chilly building.

Good insulators for homes are products like Rockwool, Earthwool, and HardieFire (probably all Australian product names).

You can also get thermally reflective paints for roofs and exterior walls; fully sealed / sealable door and windows; double glazed windows with thermal film almost as good as triple glazed; polycarbonate window frames that have low thermal conductivity; HVAC systems that can transfer heat from warm roof space to living areas; products like Sun Lizard thermal transfer systems.

I’ve been in houses in Victoria and Tasmania where some or all of these systems have been implemented and the inside of the houses hover around 17 - 25 all year round with only passive systems.

That’s an enormous range (62-75 F) that few Americans would tolerate.

Seriously though, I'm an Asian now living in America -- in the cold part. For the first 15'ish years here, I despised the Winters because I could not tolerate them. But then I started lifting and doing cardio, and all of a sudden I could bear the cold just fine.

Americans are being wusses if they are so intolerant of that range. They need to buck up and hit the gym, like I finally did.

25 inside during summer is fine with light T-shirt and shorts.

Also, doesn’t the USA have the highest carbon footprint per capita?

Might wanna get that checked out.

It's not a cost issue, as AC cost around 5-10k (https://climatisation.ooreka.fr/comprendre/prix_tarif_climat...), which is not much compared to the price of a house (150-300k), but a cultural one.

Yes you could have a stifling fortnight, but the thermal mass is enough to get you through relative blips like that.

Source grandparents have house in south of France with 1ft+ thick walls, no aircon. Stays nice and cool all summer.

But as you note, France is not Bangladesh and the climate is mild enough that you just don't need AC.

It's simple math. They move out there to get a bigger house. Bigger houses consume more resources.

I really don't understand how that mathematical fact can be denied.

I don't understand your point exactly. were you expecting to be no poor people in rich countries? well, news at 11, there are.