Just A Girl's Profile

Here is another reason I am not sure this strategy really applies to those areas where rents are higher than the norm.

Living in a more expensive area, I can make about twice what I would elsewhere for the same job. So, if in the bay area, my take home is $8K/month, and my rent/utilities are $3k/month (well over the 30% suggested), I still have $5K left for other expenses, savings, etc.

If I were living elsewhere, making $4K/month and my rent/utilities were $1K (guideline offered here), I would have $3K left for everything else.

Just saying - in some scenarios in high rent areas, the percentage might be higher but you might still be ahead since high rent areas tend to have higher salaries to match.

Love every inch of the place....I want to come hang out....or maybe trade apartments??