I don't think we all spend hours in traffic every day. Nor does everyone pay through the roof. After all, I am surrounded by people who pay less than $4k/yr in property taxes for a $1-3m home that they bought for bargain prices or inherited.

It's just the newcomers and perpetually poor who suffer the economic effects.

But, hey, the weather is nice and I don't see many "no gaijin" signs here. Would be weird since we're closing in on 40% foreign born after all.