[joeberon]

Yeah that's really low. I just moved to Hamburg as a postdoctoral researcher and our international housing office said to expect to spend around 60% of our salary on rent. Then again rent here includes heating which changes it a little

[eurasiantiger]

Don’t compare things like that. 60% of your income is going straight into funding someone else’s investments and you have no choice but to pay. It is a sickness, a malaise of society.

[joeberon]

I'm not sure what you're getting at. Sure, I don't like landlords as a "profession", but on the other hand it is not unaffordable, which was the point in the article. It is a mistake to conflate whether or not it is morally okay to whether or not it is affordable. Even if it were affordable that doesn't mean that it is okay. Then again, in terms of my own life and living situation, I honestly can say I do not mind renting.

[eurasiantiger]

The situation:

A) people need undisturbed shelter and a feeling of continuity to feel psychologically safe enough to commit to meaningful life

B) undisturbed shelter is a privilege that comes at a premium

C) we do not allow people to construct their own undisturbed shelter unless they pay various kinds of premiums

A + B + C => van life

[joeberon]

Okay, cool, I agree that trying to live in this world can suck. Not sure how that's relevant to this discussion though.

[eurasiantiger]

Well, maybe if we actually did something about crime, life wouldn’t have to suck for so many people.

[joeberon]

What has that got to do with me saying I can afford to spend that much on rent?