I’m a recent divorcee who was unhoused for the past few months but sheltered in very cheap hotels in San Francisco before recently signing a lease to continue living in an SRO on a month to month basis.

The divorce was a shock to the finances but not a big one. I make over $100k and am just now zeroing out my debt, much of which was education related.

The reason I haven’t signed a serious lease for a proper apartment in the city is because I look at apartment prices and just can’t bring myself to pay $2300+ for a place for myself. Studios below that price or living out of the city do not appeal to me, nor does living with roommates after a few recent experiences with that. I don’t do drugs or have any mental health issues.

I think there are others like me in the city - willing to accept Spartan accommodations rather than throw thousands of dollars to live in slightly better conditions - but I have not yet met any.

I feel like I am basically gentrifying the lowest level of housing before homelessness.

My finances are healthy and I am saving at a decent clip which is similar to a huge raise in salary.

I get that SF is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but when I look at other housing markets, I’ve noticed that rents are more similar to SF than in the past.

Millennials are pretty strained financially right now, Gen Z even more so. Minor shocks that would have been inconsequential for previous generations have become embiggened.