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> This geography-based rent-seeking don't forget about the actual rent, too. how much of the housing cost problem is caused by a huge number of people needing

> This geography-based rent-seeking don't forget about the actual rent, too. how much of the housing cost problem is caused by a huge number of people needing wired broadband within X miles of a city center, competing with rich foreigners who want the exact same real estate? imagine if middle class knowledge workers currently feeling the squeeze could realistically live 30+ miles out and telecommunicate most most/all of the time. not only would it revitalize the outskirts of some cities that need residents/activity, it would put a hedge on the insanely fast rise in the cost of housing near the city center. or at least give working people an option to live further away, have a high standard of life (more space), and still be able to do their jobs without commuting 2-3 hours a day. but maybe this is all anecdata: i have a tiny place (studio) in the city and i am completely uninterested in spending close to $1M to upgrade my conditions. however, i am willing to spend a considerable amount of money to either add a country home (best of both worlds), or move altogether. where prices are good, bandwidth sucks, and i can't realistically live there and run a business. this is clearly an imbalance in the marketplace and i hope it gets addressed in the next 5 years.

toomuchtodo 11y ago
Just like you, I don't have to imagine. I make an engineer salary working from home. I live in a low cost of living part of Florida, 5 minutes from the beach on the gulf side. Because I didn't go to SF, and have worked remotely, I've been able to save a non-insignificant amount of my income; I'll be able to retire around 35-37 (I'm 33 now). Always be willing to say no when someone can extract rent of any sort from you; otherwise, you're a slave to them.
- beachstartup 11y ago
  congratulations. as i get older i consider doing the same more and more, or just getting out of tech altogether. seems like it's a treadmill in a lot of ways.
  - toomuchtodo 11y ago
    No need to congratulate me! This is what people should be doing if they want to be free from a job or industry that provides them no enjoyment. I too will be getting out of tech when I "retire", or rather, focusing on using my technical skills in a more philanthropic way. I'm tired of the circular "what was old is new again", always having to prove yourself to a new team, all that jazz. I can lead a very comfortable life on a beach in Belize while I hack on things that matter.

toomuchtodo 11y ago

Just like you, I don't have to imagine. I make an engineer salary working from home. I live in a low cost of living part of Florida, 5 minutes from the beach on the gulf side. Because I didn't go to SF, and have worked remotely, I've been able to save a non-insignificant amount of my income; I'll be able to retire around 35-37 (I'm 33 now). Always be willing to say no when someone can extract rent of any sort from you; otherwise, you're a slave to them.

beachstartup 11y ago
congratulations. as i get older i consider doing the same more and more, or just getting out of tech altogether. seems like it's a treadmill in a lot of ways.
- toomuchtodo 11y ago
  No need to congratulate me! This is what people should be doing if they want to be free from a job or industry that provides them no enjoyment. I too will be getting out of tech when I "retire", or rather, focusing on using my technical skills in a more philanthropic way. I'm tired of the circular "what was old is new again", always having to prove yourself to a new team, all that jazz. I can lead a very comfortable life on a beach in Belize while I hack on things that matter.