7/16    My lease is up Aug 15 and the landlord just raised my
        rent from $1750 to $2250. shitdamn!
        \_ If you're working full-time in a tech job and renting, you should
           consider buying a condo/townhouse/house instead.  You have more
           money than you think.  It just takes courage to be frugal.  I
           graduated four years ago and just bought a house.  I saved 40-50%
           of my take-home pay every month.  You'll be amazed how much money
           you can save by bringing your own lunch everyday and only watching
           matinee movies.  -frugal and happy homeowner
           \_ Four years ago houses cost half as much....
                \_ true, but hopefully your salary has kept up.  I saved
                   enough for downpayment after 2 years of working.  It took
                   me two more years because I didn't want to spend my life
                   savings in a single transaction.  I highly doubt that
                   a programmer that earns 70-100K a year can't save enough
                   for downpay in a couple of years.  LIke I said, it takes
                   courage to be frugal.
                   \_ yeah, or MOVE THE FUCK OUT OF THE BAY AREA.
                        -paying under 300 a month for a nice place in
                        a nice neighborhood walking distance from work
                        \_ And earning nothing.  When I sell my house and leave
                           the bay area, I'll have the money to buy 10 places
                           likes that and retire on your rental money.  How's
                           the walk?
                   \_ um, i'd have to be earning $140K to have "kept up".
                      And how in the hell will i save up $100K for the
                      downpayment, so that i can qualify for the $400K
                      mortgage? Even skipping lunch and movies wont get me
                      that. Sure, obviously it can be done because
                      others do it...but how?
                      \_ 1/5th of 400k is 80k, not 100k.  And you don't need
                         to spend 400k on a house... yet.
                      \_ I didn't say you should skip lunch. I said bringing
                         your own lunch.  I make less than 100K a year but I
                         was still able to save enough for downpay.  Try opening
                         a savings account and direct deposit 30-50% of your
                         AFTER-TAX paycheck into it.  And NEVER WITHDRAW A
                         PENNY FROM IT.  Live from the rest.  If it means never
                         eating out or buying shit at Fry's so be it.  Yes, it
                         is hard to do this.  It takes courage to do this. But
                         you can do it!  Also... be sure your SO is doing the
                         same.  Two people saving is better than one person
                         saving.  This doesn't work if your better half is
                         not living the same lifestyle.  And why are you only
                         looking at $400K houses?  Your first car is not your
                         dream car, your first house shouldn't be your dream
                         house either.  Look at condos or townhouses first.
                         \_ Don't get a condo.  It's a loss.
        \_ Have you ever considered the fact that they think you're
           a slob and they want to force you to move out?
        \_ what city are you in? this is illegal in most places (well, many,
           not most)
                \_ Pete Wilson outlawed Rent Control in California shortly
                   before leaving office.  Anyone who started renting after
                   1/1/99 in Berkeley is exempt from rent control protection.
                   \_ no the CA legislature outlawed VACANCY rent control.
                      That is, once someone moves out the landlord can raise
                      the rent as much as he wants for the next tenant.  Used
                      to be in Berkeley that when someone moved out the
                      landlord could only raise the rent something like 5%.
                      \_ 15%. Don't exaggerate.
                       \_ no 15% was what they raised it to in the interm
                          when they were easing out rent control.  And even
                          that they could only do twice in the 3 year period
                          that that was part of then rent code.  Just cause
                          you are a young'n doesn't mean you have to show
                          your ignorance.
                   \_ doesn't mean all renter protection is out. Berkeley, for
                      one, still puts severe limitation on how fast the rent
                      can rise while the same tenant(s) is/are occupying
           \_ actually very few places
           \_ San Jose.
           \_ Annual "inflationary" raise in rent is common, but NOT $500
              at a time! My Walnut Creek landlord raises rent by $50 every
              year so far, while in Albany my rent stayed the same for 6 yrs
              at $1050 for a 2bd-2br. Depends if you have rent control in
              your city.
              \_ I live in North Oakland/Rockridge. Good-sized 1bd-1ba apt w/
                 security gate, covered, reserved carport, on-site laundry
                 room. Original rent: $550. Landlord has raised rent twice
                 in past 5 years. Now rent is: $566
                 \_ yes it is called rent control
                        \_ And it's in Oakland.
          \_ My girlfriend lived in a brand-new complex near Fremont BART
             with her sister. They had to move out after lease was up because
             the complex was bought out and the new owners raised the rent
             by $700 ($600 if you were a returning leasee), no matter if it
             was a 1BDRM or 2BDRM.
                \_ Landlords are evil.  We must return the land to the people!