They really are remarkably resilient. In my memory I have not lived in circumstances that required all-out war against cochroaches, but I also have rarely lived in apartment buildings or duplexes.

Mom tells tales of when she was young and I was an infant of marching into neighboring apartments and both raising a ruckus and helping clean out under sinks and pantries to eliminate cockroaches.

Never had a major problem with them myself. Luck of the draw.