In defence I have to mention that living is much more expensive in europe than in america. Especially the big condos what you americans consider ordinary sized in the city areas have easily 2k-4k buck rents.
Even some of the 28sqf appartment block of flats in a better area of the city have easily just a tad under 1000 buck rents. Unless it's ok for you to live among junkies and old people, you can't live in the city or near it.