I am aware of that aspect. But having been a military wife and lived in different places, I think you are mistaken to say that "if you have X amount of money and not enough, it is just a personal problem." His remarks imply he has high-ish medical expenses. In a European country, that likely would not be a factor. And any place you live, your choices in where to live are not as wide open as you imply. Choosing to pay less on rent may involve exposure to crime or involve very long commutes, either of which can make that low rent make much less sense (driving more involves expense as well, not just gas but wear and tear, possibly higher insurance, etc). It can also simply be inappropriate housing for your needs. (I lived someplace once that went through a period with a lot of "adults only" apartments. After that was made illegal, they made those apartments available to families as well. We looked at one. The open floor plan bachelor pad failed to provide adequate privacy for me and my husband to have a sex life with small kids in the home. We looked elsewhere.)

But, when it comes down to it, I see absolutely no reason for you to dismiss his question simply because you think he has a personal problem. Whether he has a personal problem or not, there are things wrong with the big picture. I don't think it is a less legitimate question just because the asker happens to have a high income. It seems rather ass-holish to reply at all if you have no plans to talk about the thing he asked about and are merely taking this as an opportunity to talk trash about him as an individual.

Of course, that's just my personal opinion. Lots happens on HN that I don't like. I don't run the place, so whatever.

Carry on.