There's a big difference between the wealthy worlds of the Galactic Core, and the tumble-down planets of the Verge. Generally, the Core worlds are several centuries ahead of the game, and can casually squander resources which would seem miraculous elsewhere.

This chart compares the technology available to the elite of the respective regions; the middle and lower classes have to make do with stuff lower down the technological ladder. In the most degenerate Verge systems, people have to survive with 21st Century technology! (The horror, the horror!)

How does the hyperdrive work? Nobody knows. The amazons aren't very interested in science; human scientists say it shouldn't work; and the za, who might be able to figure it out, can't be trusted with the blueprints. The one thing we do know is that it's fueled by an isotope only found in a handful of solar systems.

How does colonizing a planet work? Most planets can only support human life after extensive "terraforming"--like landscaping on a global scale. The first wave of immigrants commence terraforming operations, using raw materials from the asteroid or Kuiper belts. These raw materials--and imported goods from the Core--eventually expand the scope of space-based industry, permitting more terraforming, and more settlements down below. Once you go through the cycle a few times, you end up with a pretty good world.

The main thing separating the Verge from the Core is that, in the Core, there was enough time for these terraforming cycles to repeat, which permits much higher population levels and greater socio-economic development. In the Verge, however, most of the cycles stalled out or crashed during the Long Silence.

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