[blahneverdies]

Thanks, that's the sort of front line perspective I'm seeking!

Car no, clean clothes yes. (The laundromat's much less convenient and enjoyable.)

I do know a lot of the SF housing stock isn't that great, just from looking--bad kitchens and old furnishings, because "they" know they can get away with it. (And you can bet they'd never live like that themselves: it's upgrades all the way.)