We believe we cannot be content living just anywhere; we gird ourselves to make a bid for life at the 'centre', in one of the world's current hotspots. As a result, we face intense competition and have to work incredibly hard just to survive. Soon we come to think that it's not simply living in the right city that counts; we have to be in the right part, be invited to certain parties, attend particular events and know certain key people.

— Simpler Life by Alain de Botton, The School Life of School The (Page 37)