[em-bee]

if that is true then how come that apartments in those urban centers are among the most expensive?

away from people

that's a problem caused by north american individualism. most of the rest of the world does not want to be away from people.

[em-bee]

i'd like to add that it is not just individualism per se but also lack of tolerance. in the US (and all western countries really) i want to be away from people because to many are bothered if i do anything different than them.

in china and other places that i have been to, people don't get bothered by such things, or at least they don't embarrass themselves or others by constantly complaining about it. more tolerance and friendliness would go a long way towards a friendly community that one wants to be part of and not run away from.