4 ms·

That seems a weird assertion. I just went to apartments.com. Palo Alto (not the cheapest place), shows loads of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments under and at 3k/mon

by b112 2y ago

That seems a weird assertion. I just went to apartments.com. Palo Alto (not the cheapest place), shows loads of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments under and at 3k/month. That's under $40k/year. This tax calculator shows the generic case of $120k (low 'six figures'), as being more than $80k takehome: https://www.talent.com/tax-calculator/California-120000 https://www.talent.com/tax-calculator/California-120000 That means less than 1/2 of a 'low end' engineering salary is taken for housing, and that's without a room-mate. Something most people have at the start of their career, and before being married (which is another way to have a room mate). Do you actually live in the region? Why do you think almost $4k/month of cash in hand, left over after rent paid and taxes paid, isn't much? Why do you think no one can find a place to live, when apartments.com show places aplenty? Are you referring to a specific area, instead of a more central place such as Palo Alto?

michaelt 2y ago
Well, in the US the median pre-tax household income is $80k and the median renter spends <35% of their income on rent. Imagine singlehandedly earning 150% of what the average family earns, in one of the richest countries in the world and living in a one-bedroom apartment - and such a low standard of living isn't even cheap. The landlords must be laughing all the way to the bank!
Aunche 2y ago
I wasn't clear. By "afford a flat" I meant outright purchase property, which the government would need to do to actually solve homelessness.
flerchin 2y ago
Where do you think the grocery store workers are going to live when highly skilled professionals have to roommate to make rent?
- b112 2y ago
  I was responding to an assertion that engineers making 6 figures could not afford apartments. I validated that they certainly can, on their own, and in an expensive area (Palo Alto) too. I then said that the dynamic is even better with a room mate. From this you infer I spoke of all affordability? Why? Understand, making wild unsubstantiatable and exaggerative assertions about affordability can invalidate a discussion. Stating fact instead of hyperbole is more appropriate. Hence my response.

by b112 2y ago

michaelt 2y ago

Well, in the US the median pre-tax household income is $80k and the median renter spends <35% of their income on rent. Imagine singlehandedly earning 150% of what the average family earns, in one of the richest countries in the world and living in a one-bedroom apartment - and such a low standard of living isn't even cheap. The landlords must be laughing all the way to the bank!

Aunche 2y ago

I wasn't clear. By "afford a flat" I meant outright purchase property, which the government would need to do to actually solve homelessness.

flerchin 2y ago

Where do you think the grocery store workers are going to live when highly skilled professionals have to roommate to make rent?

b112 2y ago
I was responding to an assertion that engineers making 6 figures could not afford apartments. I validated that they certainly can, on their own, and in an expensive area (Palo Alto) too. I then said that the dynamic is even better with a room mate. From this you infer I spoke of all affordability? Why? Understand, making wild unsubstantiatable and exaggerative assertions about affordability can invalidate a discussion. Stating fact instead of hyperbole is more appropriate. Hence my response.