the cost of living in San Fransisco (San Francisco, South San Francisco: apartment, travel)

[bclark3434]

I travel to Bay for my job anywhere from 10-18 times a year, from Portland. I really love the city. Its well diverse, people mind their own business (unlike Portland) and there is much to do. The only thing i hate is the cost of living and the greed that comes with it. The parking meter people are worst than the IRS and the cost to cross the bridges(Bay and Golden)keep rising. I also looked into housing and its 4-5 times as much for rent in bay area compared to portland,vegas,Phoenix and Seattle. I make 65k a year and i could make 76k doing the same in the bay area, but that still would not be enough to survive and save. How do you people make it down there? though many will live outside the city(dailycity,oakland,south SF,sacramento) and work in SF.... I see many, many people live in the city. how do you do it?

[sonarrat]

I made $40,000 last year. I live in a nicely turned out 1-bedroom apartment in South San Francisco with my significant other who does not have to work. I have a car that will be paid off in September. I own a piano. My assets are modest, but I have everything I need. As far as I'm concerned, the cost of living issue is overblown. If I wanted to live in San Francisco proper, though, that would be a different story. Dollar does not go as far there.