Fifteen Chinese cities are building subway lines according to the New York Times.

Money quote: “Nobody is building like they are,” said Shomik Mehndiratta, a World Bank specialist in urban transport. “The center of construction is really China.”

How many U.S. cities are doing the same? And, by the way, how much of the U.S. “stimulus” is going to subways?

According to the New York Times, it takes a while for all those new young people to find their fit in the Big Apple.

But for many, the thrill of arrival is often tempered by the sinking realization of what an alienating place the city can be, especially for those who are not wealthy or who do not have a pre-existing network of friends. Nothing comes easily, even if one can get past the dauntingly high cost of living. The subway maze seems indecipherable. People are everywhere, but ignore each other on the street. Friends might live in distant neighborhoods, and seeing them often requires booking time, like an appointment, weeks in advance.

Money quote: “The city abuses you, and you just have to abuse it back.”