> There are still places in Manhattan, Chicago, Atlanta, etc where you can do it, SF is no different. The question is what's the median price of a salad. If me

> There are still places in Manhattan, Chicago, Atlanta, etc where you can do it, SF is no different. The question is what's the median price of a salad. If median is 17, it is relatively expensive, even if it is possible to compile a list of cheaper cafes and restaurants. Or put it another way: if you have to check for restaurant prices, that city is too expensive for you, even cheaper places exist. > if you want to judge a city only on it's higher priced places or whatever, that's on you I'm not saying is bad. If you want to live on Manhattan, prepare to spend a lot on everything, from rent to salad. I think the author is saying: SF is expensive, and they cannot afford it. And that's good reason to leave. And that's good reason for other people to avoid moving to SF. > TL;dr- "17 dollar salads" aren't a problem unless you're trying to write a disparaging blog about a city you moved away from. Well, if for 17 dollars salad you could buy low crime and low poverty, that would be OK. But these things combined are enough reasons to write a blog. Anyway, not going to defend SF or criticise SF, just triggered by arrogant statement "Nobody is forcing this guy to buy a $17 salad", which is not far from "if you don't have bread, eat cake".