[llamaorama]

I think real poverty can exist in decrepit suburban areas.

I guess there's a question of whether or not living conditions have gone below what society believes is acceptable, or if its a matter of "undesirable" kinds of people or economic activities having to live/be somewhere and the biased opinions of people in the community.

In a big city, some "depreciated" real estate might be a good thing, I would guess. Since makes areas affordable to a more diverse population and set of businesses. Sustainable diversity and thus vibrancy to me would require steady, balanced conditions where there are some old areas, some new areas, some in the middle, etc.