I came to the bay area five years ago from Ohio where I was working a soul-sucking job. I have two roommates and a SO, and my rent is $800 (my cost) for a two bedroom loft in Potrero hill.<p>I get the opportunity to work at an amazing startup and have been able to build a specialization in mapping technologies. On the weekends, I can hike or take a day trip or go to Sausalito, Angel Island, or just hang out and get high at Delores Park. Sometimes it feels like life isn&#x27;t real we are so privileged around here, despite all the negativity.<p>I&#x27;ve made lifelong friends and connections here who &quot;get me&quot; more any other place I&#x27;ve lived. The gay community here is also especially strong...and weird! ;-P<p>It makes me sad that people are struggling, but I think the key is to value your experiences and spend the best part of your life less consumed with strict acquisition of wealth, and more with the depth and richness of experience. Of course that&#x27;s a trade off.<p>Here&#x27;s my advice on the bay area:<p>Don&#x27;t rent an apartment in SOMA. Don&#x27;t be consumed with trying to buy a house. Learn to accept living with roommates even though you make 6-figures and your friends back home are buying huge houses on far less. Forget about trying to save a lot of money. Be creative in your living situation if you want to save money. Enjoy your life and all that SF has to offer. I&#x27;ve lived all over the world and there&#x27;s no place like it.<p>I guess for most people they are consumed with having kids and feel pressure to own a home and save for retirement. I&#x27;ve been able to save money and keep my living expenses down by having roommates, but I know owning a home here is probably out of my reach and that&#x27;s OK. If you&#x27;re unhappy here and really want to live a different lifestyle, and SF isn&#x27;t able to provide you what you need to be happy, I would say you should move so you can give someone else the chance to be happy and thrive here.