> I mean, c'mon -- people live in basement apartments in Manhattan too, it's not that bad. The underground space discussed by the OP article were actually desi

> I mean, c'mon -- people live in basement apartments in Manhattan too, it's not that bad. The underground space discussed by the OP article were actually designed/built/maintained as shelters for nuclear war. They are not fancy Manhattan apartments, you can't get it connected with broadband/water through official channels. If someone lives there, their kids can't even go to local public schools, as they are never considered as local residents. There are of course actual basement apartments in Beijing, but a 70 sqm basement apartment can has a price tag of $1.5 million USD [1]. That is something for the middle class, not those people mentioned in the OP article. [1] http://www.sohu.com/a/229312750_100070963 http://www.sohu.com/a/229312750_100070963