Wondering how the hell young people make living in such an expensive area work?! (Los Angeles: real estate, apartment)

[llowllevellowll]

I have had 5 friends move to San Francisco in the last 2 years (no idea why) - and only 1 remains. I have no idea how the one that remains is still here either - he probably lacks the motivation and/or funds to return to Ohio.

I was the only one that moved here because my wife and I both had jobs lined up (the cause of the move) and I didn't move to SF (too expensive, not enough space, too transient + I love the East Bay) and in 5 years, I'll for sure be the only one still out here.

It's not to say that you won't make it work, but growing up does something to a person - it makes you want more space, more money (checking, savings, 401k, IRA), more for your money, quiet time / less hustle and bustle, and stability. SF doesn't typically provide that for anyone. A lot of the residents are transient - a lot of renters that can barely afford the lifestyle and don't stay long. Far too many are fulfilling some sort of weird fantasy or fecade - maybe they've read too many coming of age novels.

I love to visit the city - but that's just it - I love to visit. I don't think it's a great place to settle down and start a family and I wouldn't invest the type of money it takes to try it, myself, but that's just me.

[Texas User]

You need to make atleast $100K in Bay Area to live a modest life.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Texas User

You need to make atleast $100K in Bay Area to live a modest life.

And how would you know this? See my earlier posting on baggage. A single person with no kids, pets, or car living in a studio apt. can do just fine on about half that.

[Texas User]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

And how would you know this? See my earlier posting on baggage. A single person with no kids, pets, or car living in a studio apt. can do just fine on about half that.

I lived in San Jose for 13 years and Hayward for 2 years.

$50K a year? but what kind of lifestyle? Got to have a car to move around. How will that person enjoy the city?

Everywhere you go, you have to pay for stuff.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Texas User

$50K a year? but what kind of lifestyle? Got to have a car to move around. How will that person enjoy the city?.

You can enjoy the city just fine using public transportation and walking. San Francisco is pretty compact with plenty of transportation options.

[uptown_urbanist]

In parts of the Bay Area having a car is way more trouble than it's worth. We didn't have a car -- it was an unnecessary expense. We just rented one when needed (which wasn't often). Perhaps that wouldn't be as easy or pleasant in Hayward or San Jose, but I doubt that's where the OP wants to live, anyway.

Unfortunately living in SF, even without the car, still costs a lot of money. You really do have to make a lot of sacrifices to live in the city.

[christiano.]

Simple -- people here have roomates.

Living in San Francisco is pretty cheap if you're splitting rent. For one, you don't need a car in San Francisco which saves you lots of money.

[CAVA1990]

If you do need one there's Zip Car. My daughter who lives in another big city just gets one of those whenever she needs to drive somewhere. They're conveniently parked just about everywhere.

[Texas User]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

You can enjoy the city just fine using public transportation and walking. San Francisco is pretty compact with plenty of transportation options.

You still have to have a car to get out of the city to do other stuff.

[Texas User]

Originally Posted by christiano.

Simple -- people here have roomates.

Living in San Francisco is pretty cheap if you're splitting rent. For one, you don't need a car in San Francisco which saves you lots of money.

That defeats the purpose of 'Quality of life'.