Oh, puh-leeze! Everyone's "alternatives" are limited by what one can afford. Also, when you own a house, it isn't as easy to just pick up and move when circumstances change. My office is being moved within the year, which will double my commuting time. As long as the housing market remains as stagnant as it is now, my ability to move to be closer to the new office is likely to be iffy.

A consumer's alleged freedom is sometimes an illusion.