[cdr]

I can't imagine you were living anywhere desirable that you could pay $156/month in rent.

People living in high cost of living areas can't reasonably live on $12K/year. Luckily, they mostly get paid a lot better $40K/year because they have to.

[dmm]

> People living in high cost of living areas

Feudalism has been eliminated, you could always move. But you're absolutely right. People who choose to live in pricey areas don't get to enjoy extended vacations right out of college. It's your choice to make though.

I visited San Jose a month ago. It's a gorgeous area and the culture is something really special, but it's expensive as hell. But that's fine if you think it's worth it.

Where I live a 3br/2bth house can be rented for <$500. It makes a level of financial independence available that I couldn't have living in CA or most of the east coast.

[pstack]

I don't think people so much "choose to live in pricy areas" as that's where the jobs are. As a result, that's where the people are. As a result, that's where the most expensive living is. You can find a cheaper place to live, but it's likely cheaper, because there's less of a job market there.

[kd0amg]

Where I live a 3br/2bth house can be rented for <$500.

How's the tech/software job market in that area? I can't say I've seen a whole lot of recruiting for jobs in the cheapest towns I've visited.

[beambot]

Graduate students live on that amount. We are particularly prevalent in high cost of living areas. It can be done, but it might be unpleasant.

[bricestacey]

I lived in Boston on $800/month. It's no picnic, but it's not hard.