I don't know if this is a bug or a feature. (And I read so many search questions that didn't apply.) I have a Sim who lives in a house in Windenburg. She's run out of aspirations to do (other than Dev...
Well I found out playing today that you can give an key to anyone no matter where you live as long as your're friends; though you do need to live in San Myshuno for it to count as the aspiration.