Hello Middleman,
thank you far asking, aside being able to live in the US , this is the most live changing event in my live.
Getting out here and leaving the big city of Seattle behind, was first to reduce my overhead (something that kills about 70% of small/start up companies).
Now nearly a year later, I am finding that it benefits all areas of my live, not just the money part, less stress, better mental health, better eating (the next fast food is about 1h away), more time, more room, and no rush hour, wonderful neighbors and I could go one for several pages, counting out everything that changed my live.
Sure there are drawbacks, but over all if you do not have to find a job out here, it is nearly the perfect live; at least for me.
Aside living very close to the center of the universe (the geographical center of the continental US is approx. 27 miles from here) this county (Smith County that is) has the highest live expectancy rate in the US...
Some people find the move and the story so important that it even made the front page of the LA times, plus several other major city news papers; my good friend Lynn posted it already in his forum so instead of reposting it here just follow the link
http://www.3daudioinc.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_top ic&f=14&t=002392
PBS came out here as well, and they will air a short liner about coming out here and what we do sometimes this month...