Great story and l love the solar panels. I'm guessing that is a solar carport? Very nice.

I can relate. I might go back to the US sometime if it ever changes back to the US of my youth, but till then I'm happy in Austria.

As a father myself I could not imagine the daily stress of sending your kid to school thinking, "Is this the day someone comes in and starts shooting up my kid's school?"

I totally disagree with you about drugs. I don't drink, smoke or do drugs, so it is not about my personal preferences. It is a complex subject for another post.

Regarding housing, I'm guessing it is a societal goal. As you note, housing is a basic need. If a society makes affordable housing a high priority, it can be done (see Japan or Austria). If society makes profits through commodifying everything a high priority, that can also be done (see the US or UK). Results follow from those priorities.