Yeah I saw the poor article too and I think its really dead on. We had a very poor phase of my childhood, including not having a car so a lot rings true.

Your observation about NYC is interesting. I think the same thing about Hawaii. Other than housing and some food items it doesn't seem outrageous to me. Though some of its just adaptation like eating rice over potatoes and pineapple instead of apples (or in my case mango from the backyard!).