Why do people complain about not making it when they have arts degrees and live in expensive cities?

Ask them. They chose it. They may lead an interesting life and money is not everything. They have hopes of making it big. People go to college to do something with their life and that is just that. There are people in KC who have business degrees etc and are set but wish they lived in NY as well. If one wants to make a lot of money and have a recession proof job any where become a lineman or HV AC.