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How to live on $432 a month in America

(shagbark.substack.com)
526 points cactusplant7374 | 1 comments | 23 May 25 16:40 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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eugenekolo ◴[23 May 25 21:21 UTC] No.44076729[source]▶
Confused by his portrayal of Massena, NY. I don't live there and have never driven through, but looking on Google Maps it doesn't seem that bad or depressing as the author (and I guess commentators) make it out to be.

It has a Walmart, Home Depot, BJs (similar to Costco), a main street with several businesses. A walkable grid with sidewalks in that main town area....

Feels like reaching that this place is so desolate and depressing.

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1. loeber ◴[23 May 25 23:35 UTC] No.44077568[source]▶
Agreed! I'm randomly Google Street View-ing through town, and it looks... modest but actually quite nice?

Check out these pleasant-looking houses in the summer: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Massena,+NY+13662/@44.9264...

Edit: I've spent a few more minutes on Street View. This is not at all the podunk backwater that the author makes it out to be. They've got plenty of commercial streets, and big blocks of houses with nicely trimmed lawns.

I suppose this actually makes the author's point more strongly -- even if you have very little money, you can live pretty nicely in Massena!