It’s fascinating that America can be the world’s superpower(?) and yet huge swathes of society still live in unstable conditions like this.

That's what it usually takes. To be a superpower, the government has to extract a lot from the citizens. Russia is an even more extreme case.

> It’s fascinating that America can be the world’s superpower(?) and yet huge swathes of society still live in unstable conditions like this.

Because huge swathes of society choose to live in these unstable conditions.

They could move to Detroit or even Salt Lake City, but they prefer the lifestyle of New York City.

Not to mention that to move they would need to have resources to do so. And in many cases would take them away from what little interpersonal safety net they have in the form of friends and family — which for people who are struggling typically makes things worse.

.. and the jobs? I mean, people moved out of Detroit precisely for that reason.

Just man up and ask your dad for more access to the family trust-fund. Work isn't the only way to make income you know.