Why do rich people live in the hills? 

All the building plans must be custom made for the site so cheap housing 
is impossible.  Buildings are made fancier because the rich will pay 
disproportionally, covering the cost of the design and construction.

useful:

Satellite Dishes always point towards the equator.  Geosyncronous 
satellites must by definition be over the equator, any non moving dish 
must be pointed at a geosyncronous satellite to be useful.  This should 
be a better direction finder than the moss on a tree.