"WOW your price level is wacky, if the author is to be believed."
Well, we have fondly reffered to our prices here as 'rip off Britain' for quite some time. Though it has been noticible in the last couple of years that the gap has narrowed - it is only now with the tumbling dollar that we really notice the difference again! For me the big difference is I used to look at the States and see wage parity, but that your prices were much cheaper meaning the US had a vastly, vastly better quality of life. Now though I look (I work for a multinational) and note that my US colleagues of the same grade earn far less than me when converted - so even with the cheaper prices the lifestyle difference narrows. Of course, I should probably be worried as if the market works my job will be outsourced! And of course, my tax burdern is much heavier. That said, the draw to spend a few more years in the States for financial reasons isn't quite what it was. However, in the meantime - let the party continue. New York Shops... here I come!
This is why the weak dollar doesn't bug me. Come and shop, it's great for the American economy.