[mrpoptart]

Spending 50% of your income on rent is only a big deal if the other 50% isn't significant. Someone who makes 20k a month but spends 10k on rent still has 10k a month for other expenses.

That said, I am a developer and live with my family about 45min public transit-only commute away. I've done the driving thing, I love reading too much to give that time away. My kids and my wife much prefer not living in the city and I get a 3+br for less than the 1br listed here.