- A San Franciscan making $80,000 mentioned he would not assume he might afford to dwell alone within the metropolis.
- He mentioned he pays $1,200 a month to share a four-bedroom home with three roommates.
- Whereas the price of dwelling is excessive, he feels protected and accepted and plans to remain in San Francisco.
This as-told-to essay relies on a transcribed dialog with a constructing supervisor. He spoke on the situation of anonymity for worry of being reprimanded at his job, as he isn’t approved to speak to journalists. Insider has verified his wage, deal with, and employment. The next has been edited for size and readability.
I am a 36-year-old constructing supervisor, and I’ve lived in San Francisco for nearly 13 years; I moved right here in August 2010. I really like the town, however the price of dwelling is so excessive that I do not assume I might afford to retire right here.
I dwell in Hayes Valley, which is a cool, upscale neighborhood. I am fortunate to have the ability to pay solely $1,200 a month to share a four-bedroom home with three roommates, who’re additionally of their 30s.
I make an annual wage of $80,000, which is fairly excessive, however I do not assume I might afford to dwell alone within the metropolis given the excessive price of renting an residence, paying for meals, and socializing.
I’ve considered different flats with solely two bedrooms, and so they price north of $2,500.
Typically we joke about how a lot a salad prices. After we exit for lunch, it is $20 for substances we used to have the ability to purchase for half the worth.
I do not assume I can exit in San Francisco with out dropping a number of hundred {dollars} in a weekend. It is laborious to have financial savings right here when you have a sturdy social community.
I haven’t got a automotive, which helps preserve my price of dwelling down, however I’ve to pay for the Muni service, which is the town’s transit system.
There is a basic feeling right here that the return on how a lot cash you pay for issues goes down.
Nonetheless, there is a vibrant tradition, and I do not plan to maneuver out of the town anytime quickly. This is two the explanation why.
San Francisco is in flux, however there’s rather a lot to take pleasure in
I feel San Francisco is among the most stunning locations on the planet, though the town is in a relentless state of flux and issues have modified rather a lot in recent times.
The exercise stage has noticeably gone down within the metropolis. The streets are undoubtedly quieter, and quite a lot of the locations we used to go have closed down.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a spark of pleasure on this metropolis if you understand the place to go — the neighborhoods are the place the magic of San Francisco is.
Some issues to see embody the scenic Marina District, the Palace of Effective Arts, the Golden Gate Bridge, the bay, and Alcatraz. Valencia Avenue has wonderful bars, eating places, and outlets, whereas Mission Avenue has a really vibrant Latino group. There’s wonderful meals, tons of individuals out on the streets, and nice occasions all year long.
For my part, experiences of crime are extremely overhyped and conflated with the visibility of poverty right here. I’ve seen petty robberies and shoplifting, however I am not going to cease any person who’s clearly in poverty from taking meals.
I perceive I am male and there is some privilege behind that, however I typically really feel protected and may stroll round with my headphones on with out listening to my environment. I’ve by no means been impacted by something severe.
I do not belief Elon Musk’s comment that “downtown SF seems to be like a Zombie apocalypse,” as a result of he clearly has an agenda. This dialogue is making a self-fulfilling prophecy and a doom loop that daunts individuals from investing in San Francisco.
I really feel protected and accepted in San Francisco
I am a homosexual man, and with the present local weather within the US, I wish to dwell someplace I really feel protected — and I really feel protected in San Francisco.
You would not catch me useless in Florida or Texas. I’d slightly be poor in San Francisco than wealthy in Florida.
I’ve such a excessive way of life within the metropolis, even in the present day. Even when the price of dwelling is excessive and among the belongings you’re getting again for the elevated price won’t be what you’d need them to be, I nonetheless really feel like if I might afford to retire right here, I would by no means transfer.
