[b112]

That seems a weird assertion.

I just went to apartments.com. Palo Alto (not the cheapest place), shows loads of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments under and at 3k/month. That's under $40k/year.

This tax calculator shows the generic case of $120k (low 'six figures'), as being more than $80k takehome:

https://www.talent.com/tax-calculator/California-120000

That means less than 1/2 of a 'low end' engineering salary is taken for housing, and that's without a room-mate. Something most people have at the start of their career, and before being married (which is another way to have a room mate).

Do you actually live in the region? Why do you think almost $4k/month of cash in hand, left over after rent paid and taxes paid, isn't much?

Why do you think no one can find a place to live, when apartments.com show places aplenty?

Are you referring to a specific area, instead of a more central place such as Palo Alto?

[michaelt]

Well, in the US the median pre-tax household income is $80k and the median renter spends <35% of their income on rent.

Imagine singlehandedly earning 150% of what the average family earns, in one of the richest countries in the world and living in a one-bedroom apartment - and such a low standard of living isn't even cheap.

The landlords must be laughing all the way to the bank!

[flerchin]

Where do you think the grocery store workers are going to live when highly skilled professionals have to roommate to make rent?

[b112]

I was responding to an assertion that engineers making 6 figures could not afford apartments.

I validated that they certainly can, on their own, and in an expensive area (Palo Alto) too.

I then said that the dynamic is even better with a room mate.

From this you infer I spoke of all affordability?

Why?

Understand, making wild unsubstantiatable and exaggerative assertions about affordability can invalidate a discussion. Stating fact instead of hyperbole is more appropriate.

Hence my response.

[Aunche]

I wasn't clear. By "afford a flat" I meant outright purchase property, which the government would need to do to actually solve homelessness.