Tomas's car and apartment

Just an observation but as Tomas is a brain surgeon and must be well paid did anyone think he could have afforded a better car and appartment?

Im not sure the quality of cars you could get in the early 60's but with Thomas's income do you think its possible he could have afforded something better?

Also I thought his appartment was a bit small, dingy and modest for a brain surgeon with quite a high income. It looked more like a studio (bed and living space in one room with a kitchen in the back). Also there is no balcony or open aspect looking out the window. When he leaves in the morning after Tereza first stays you can see young people hanging about on the stairs right outside his apartment. The street looks quite run down, impovirished and tucked away, looks like a heavily populated area too. Its not a street you would associate with a well paid brain surgeon. Or is him living there another one of the film's charms?

I know he was on his own but I thought he could have afforded something bigger and better. Especially as Sabina (who I cant see as being a higher earner than Tomas) has a bigger and more impressive apartment with a balcony and a view.

I havent read the book by the way so i may be missing something.

Thoughts anyone?