I think it also comes down to relationships.

I would personally be extremely content living a very spartan life. If there were a barracks type arrangement where I just get a small room with desk and bathroom, and all food preparation were handled for me for a reasonable fee, access to a gym, and solid internet I'd be all over it.

But the minute you enter a romantic relationship, that generally stops being an acceptable living situation.

I don't think so. I have a wife, but we have no kids and will not have any, and a lot of savings, but I could not do something like this. If my income was less than my spending, I would feel incredible stress knowing there's this Time Limit To Doom hanging over my head. I'd also worry what a gap like that would do to my future job prospects. (I'm not saying I'm correct to feel that way, but that I would feel that way, and it would ruin things for me.) I also don't particularly enjoy traveling or lounging about, so those kinds of stories never appeal to me. I enjoy working. It is what it is, /shrug :)