It feels like we're almost there.
For background, I work full time as an EMT making $26/hr, which is one of the highest paying wages for this job anywhere. I STILL can't afford the area I live in on that wage.
I looked into moving back to my hometown because I miss my friends and family. Average wage there for a paramedic (which I am getting my license for now) is around $22-28/hr. So mostly less than I make now in a lower-ranking job. Apartments in that area are at cheapest $2000/month for a 1 bedroom, there are almost no studios. The area I grew up in is practically unliveable.
It seems like more and more places are falling into housing crises. I can't afford here. I can't afford where I grew up. When I looked in a different less expensive area, I tried to find an apartment, and there were two vacancies combined on all of the common rental sites. Two. I looked in a big city I have a few friends in and there is nothing under $2000/monthly for a studio. Not to come off as egotistical or anything, but my job is fucking important. Shouldn't I be able to live somewhat comfortably working full time?
When the housing crisis spreads even more, and wages continue to be this disproportionate to the cost of living…. what are people going to do? When they can't find anywhere to exist? And when their jobs don't support sustaining a life? What is going to happen? I'm scared for the future.