You don't need to. I liked the discussion.

I enjoy the city as well, and love coffee, but since I work from home and live in the city it's interesting. Generally I sublet my place and go work out of other countries where price to live is good and you have social experiences beyond the our consideration of norm. But as you travel you see vast communities that just exist. They found a way to make it work and have what they want/need generally. It's amazing to observe and see that there are so many trappings we take for granted.

Sure are they living the US middle income lifestyle, no. But that wasn't the base question asked by OP.