'A house in the country' used to be part of the American dream. I lived in Suburbia many years then I moved back into the city (Phila.).

The Spanish seem to have arrived at a more people-friendly balance of being away from the center of the city and not giving up too many of the conveniences to which they have become accustomed. My (wife's) prima hermana has to drive into Madrid about once a week to shop at one of the Hypermarts. She gets most meats and fresh fruits and vegetables at a smaller market near her home in Almeda de Osuna. But I think she's got it better than my daughter who lives in Honey Brook, Chester County (but if you cross the main road you're in Lancaster County - you can tell by the many (Amish) horse drawn carriages and the ruts in the asphalt that they cause).