Actually it is not affordable for people who live in post-USSR countries. People outside of the European part of the Russia seldom make even $1000 a month. According to January 2015 official statistics, medium salary in Russia is $593, notice it is a
medium and not even minimum. Also cost of live is pricey, all clothing that you can buy in Walmart as cheap as $5 will cost around $15-25 and even more in Russia. Some food is cheaper(for example bread), but fruits and vegetables are expensive, because they are imported.
People that own yard or field, plant fruits and veggies every year, conserve them, in order to save money and eat during the winter and spring.
Most people cannot afford rent or buy apt/house, they live all together in one apt/house(1 or 2 bdr) with grandparents, parents, children and their children.
And there is almost no welfare(not significant), so old and disabled people must think hard to make some money.
People with disabilities have to regularly proof that they are disabled, that they didn't grew new hand or leg instead of previously amputated. A lot of paperwork.
By the way, Bloomberg have published that Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Darthmouth MIT, Stanford, Berkeley and other top universities' tuition and housing will be free for students whose families make less than $65K per year.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ols-where-middle-class-kids-don-t-pay-tuition
Think of it
Nothing is impossible, when it is your true wish.