Tagging to last, with just a thought...
I've seen a number of threads and posts here on Stratics whose central theme was, "the payouts suck," and it's made me think. While it is certainly true that payouts are nothing compared to what they were in the legacy cities, it's also true that most things in EAL - particularly necessary staples - cost far less than they did in the legacy cities.
I'll use the searchlight as an example. That gas-guzzling beast cost - what - $5000 to refuel in the legacy cities. Now, it costs $500. Buffets used to cost $120 to set out. Now, just $12. I can power up a searchlight for an hour AND feed a number of hungry sims all for one night's salary at the dance club where I work as a level 2 DJ. That really ain't bad!
So, it seems to me, it's not the payouts that suck. Nor is it the price of necessary commodities that sucks. Plus, I've seen a number of items selling in stores for one-tenth the amount they went for in legacy cities, so even the stores here don't suck. It does seem that the price of land in many parts of EAL sucks, as does the cost of developing it. So, yes, the cost of home ownership sucks dead rhinosceri through a catheter tube.
But, seriously - is it really necessary for every sim in EAL to own a size-8 mega-Walmart-from-Hell? No, it's not. Besides, if you're absolutely itching for a place to plop a yard gnome or a pink flamingo or that cheezy Brittney Spears poster you bought, why not move into an existing house? There are a number of existing houses in need of roommates!
If, after giving it some thought, you decide that your one-day-old sim with $500 to her name absolutely must have that lavishly-furnished size 8 box-from-hell on a remote island in what used to be Dragon's Cove -- Well, it's gonna cost you; that's what the ATMs are for.
The game provides everything your sim needs to survive and slowly work his or her way up the ladder, at no cost to you beyond your monthly subscription. If this isn't enough for your material sim, there's the ATM machine. You have options now that you've never had before without resorting to foul play.