I can’t afford a down payment. You can’t buy a decent house in Cali for less than a mil. I get it. Paying rent sucks (with the advantage of not having to pay your repairs). But I can’t afford a house at this point. Just can’t afford to save enough money. So although I know it’s more optimal, I’m okay with paying rent in the current market. I just can’t deal with the constant increases.

I think you get my point though. Paying rent is not optimal, but a person with a decent job should be able to afford it. While I don’t disagree with what you’re trying to say, I don’t think it’s hard to understand what I’m getting at either.

I would also like to add that I earn above a minimum wage. It’s by no means a stellar income, but it’s decent. On top of that, live with my mom, so we split the rent! And somehow I’m here stressing over whether I’ll be able to afford my place of residence a few years from now. This is not okay. I really want there to be some change, but I don’t know what can be done.

100%

I mean, every year my rent increases and my pay doesn’t (not every year). So every year I have less to spend each month.

The thing that pisses me off is that I’m not Asking to be able to afford a house. I already gave up on that a long time ago. I’m only asking to be able to stay at a place that I’ve been living in for 10 years. And by the way, moving is also super expensive. On top of that, let’s say I did move to a place where the rent is cheaper initially, the rent is gonna be increasing every year there too.

I’m just trying to live a stable, modest life without having a panic attack every time I see her, no tape to my door (which usually signifies a rent increase notification).

I really wish something could be done about this.

I wish something could be done about this.

Oh yea, when Teslas first started appearing, I loved their whole philosophy and really wanted one.

While I’m not saying that your advice is wrong, I just wanted to point out that sometimes a “difference in political views” can mean a difference in values. Also, I wouldn’t be able to be friends with a Putin sympathizer. I’m not saying that the OP should break off his friendship. I just wanted to point out that sometimes it’s about more than just politics. Sometimes more is at stake.