So were you to choose between ever having a computer / smart phone or ever having a house, it would be the house? Beacuse personally I would much rather own a computer, information access, my guitar, several other things I can think of, before trading any for a home or land -- I'd be happy to rent. "Things that matter" beyond a roof of any kind over your head, safety, and basic nutrition I am sure varies widely depending on the person. What good are riches if you can't purchase anything you want?

> … before trading any for a home or land -- I'd be happy to rent.

You're still trading for a home and land even if you rent. It's just a more temporary arrangement.

rent scales with land(finite resource) price. If everyone in the country made a million dollars, rent prices would not be where they are.