I live in Mandalay, a city in a country that as we all know, suffered decades of brutal military rule. Ghosts of this live on in many forms, one of these is the lack of modern accommodation. Believe it or not, mine is classed as upper middle class. Without wanting to bitch and moan too much: the electric is on most of the time, it's really central and the management do their best to keep the creaking elevators working.
Rent? I don't pay, but apparently it is the 800USD a month range. Rents are way over inflated here- allegedly due to the Chinese holding onto land and a general lack of housing stock countrywide due to the ex junta being economic dullards.

Although bleak, it's worth bearing in mind that a sizable majority of the population are rural migrants living in some very difficult situations- we have roof squaters on both sides.




The tarp is someones only shelter and small noodle shop.



Soft furniture isn't very popular here- the school rent from some tight arsed Chinaman who hates the verb 'to spend"


To be fair the kitchen is very usable - which is good as Burmese food is rank.



Again, shite furniture- don't really care as I would never settle here permanently.



Here's where the magic doesn't happen as the guards allegedly note town visitors and tattle tale to school admin. Internal rooms seem to be a thing here in Myanmar- didn't get it at first but they are easy to keep cool and the noise (Mandalay suffers badly from noise pollution) at a bearable level.

I am living in one of the poorest nations on the planet, I live in decent housing that has running water, electric, aircon and windows that keep the dust and insects out. I'm one of the lucky ones, the slums here are eye opening. Never seen poverty like that in Thailand.