Do you think the billionaires in their RVs at Burning Man would be willing to spend 6 months in that condition?
Even at a "ridiculously low" price of $500k, you're basically offering a mount Everest experience for people. Dangerous , uncomfortable, generally hard to do if you're not super free. A crazy adventure
Some people are interested, but you can't argue much for economy of scales when the total market of affordability is probably tiny.
You are also ignoring the pioneer spirit. Don't forget that essentially built America. Imagine if no-one wanted to cross the Atlantic because it was too expensive or it was 'unsettled'?
People want to go to Mars. People want to try and live there. Scientists want to go there and learn, and explore.
Well, America had something going for it, especially when reports came back from the early explorers that it's lush and habitable (in many areas at least).
On the other hand, people know what to expect from the rock that is Mars. If Mars was an unknown and people would want to go there to discover what's there, then the analogy would be correct.
Of course, people will still go, but reaching a critical mass for an unnecessary settlement (at which point it might turn slightly more alluring for more immigrants) remains to be seen. But I guess what happens happens, we'll see.
Even at a "ridiculously low" price of $500k, you're basically offering a mount Everest experience for people. Dangerous , uncomfortable, generally hard to do if you're not super free. A crazy adventure
Some people are interested, but you can't argue much for economy of scales when the total market of affordability is probably tiny.
Only 5000 people have ever climbed Mt Everest.