A really nice place......

[manofthecoldland]

42 minutes ago, RBM said:

It's really a country of extremes  would not be surprised within a few KMS there sadly is poverty. 

For most expats, its right outside the door or gate. I don't know what urbanologists or city planners call it... perhaps mixed income neighborhoods, or multi-economic level habitats, or some such polite euphemism.... but it can be unsettling to those who come here from large, homogeneous housing areas and don't normally experience it on a daily basis. 

Some people get used to the reality of next door poverty housing here,  and others don't.  Depends on your life experiences, social attitudes, etc.

It helps if you visit the homes of some of your 'income-deprived' acquaintances to see how true 'minimalists' live here.  

Or you can check out 'dollar street' (philippines) on <gapminder.org>  and photographically visit some of the homes.