[Spivak]

I was ready to agree with you but then you went to blame her and not the economic environment that made this viable—even desirable compared to alternatives. I could never imagine paying for one of these things unless I was in a truly desperate position. It's the zeroth responsibility of government to keep people from being desperate by providing better alternatives. Both because of empathy but also because desperate people have nothing to lose and people with nothing to lose are a powder keg waiting for a spark. This woman should have no customers because there's an alternative better than living in a RV with no plumbing.

[daveidol]

For what she’s charging you could easily afford an apartment somewhere that isn’t Palo Alto.

I get what you’re saying but I think you’re going too far in the other direction. Some people are okay with a “bohemian” lifestyle and want to live on the beach in Venice or Palo Alto or whatever and will use exploitative means to do so.

[DerekL]

Yeah, these people could just get apartments in Stockton, then spend four hours each day commuting to their jobs in Palo Alto. Totally makes sense.