[bluGill]

You can opt out by having roommates.

[Windchaser]

You're getting downvoted, but roommates used to pretty common (meaning, multiple people in each bedroom).

I'm happy to work more to have my small flat to myself; the lifestyle creep is worth it to me here. But I'm still aware that this is lifestyle creep.

[chadgpt3]

That lowers the lowest possible rent, not to zero.