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Re:Silicon Valley’s Economic Indicator: Caltrain Ridership by nugget on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @03:55PM (#10261226)
It's havok upon more than just lower income earners. That is the most ironic part of it to me, the tech industry is doing this to itself, like a dog trying to chew off its own tail. When you're earning a lot and spending a lot you feel like you are doing well, even if your net savings is close to zero. I've found this attitude especially prevalent among younger folks. The real beneficiaries in a gold rush are the landlords, the government (more taxes), and vandwellers who can effectively arbitrage the high wage-high cost of living gap.
Re:Silicon Valley’s Economic Indicator: Caltrain Ridership by some-guy on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @04:14PM (#10261367)
> The real beneficiaries in a gold rush are the landlords, the government (more taxes), and vandwellers who can effectively arbitrage the high wage-high cost of living gap.

Another issue is that there is quite a bit of an income gap within the tech industry itself. Yes, a $100k salary out of college is fantastic, but the cost of living is so ridiculously high that it's almost impossible to buy decent housing here unless you already have old money (which I don't). My parents had an easier time in the 1970s buying a house with their lower salary (adjusted for inflation) than I do now in the Bay Area.

Conversely, many of my hip millenial techie peers are willing to blow their entire salary living in San Francisco, going out to eat every night, driving up their credit cards. I don't have enough fingers on my hands to count the number of folks I know who make six figures and spend 70%+ of their income on rent alone just to be around their friends.

Re:Silicon Valley’s Economic Indicator: Caltrain Ridership by encoderer on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @04:32PM (#10261503)
You need to work a company that will pay you in liquid equity. I suppose cash bonuses would also work. You only need 5-10% down payment.
Re:Silicon Valley’s Economic Indicator: Caltrain Ridership by johnrob on Tuesday September 22, 2015 @04:53PM (#10261638)
Couldn't agree more. This is the consumer version of a business that focuses on revenue while ignoring profit margin.