Living in the San Francisco Bay Area has become a financial Hunger Games, where young professionals are sacrificing major life milestones just to survive.

The Survival Game

When Myles Hannan and Linsey Dinh look at their future, they don’t see white picket fences and baby strollers. Instead, they see a never-ending hustle of extra shifts, gig work, and financial tight-roping. Their 750-square-foot Oakland apartment at $2,000 a month is what they consider a “great deal” - a phrase that would make anyone outside the Bay Area laugh hysterically.

Delaying Dreams, Paying Dues

They’re not alone. A recent survey revealed that nearly a third of Bay Area residents are putting family planning on ice, while 44% are skipping medical care just to keep their financial heads above water. Welcome to the new American Dream, where survival trumps sentimentality.

The Unaffordable Reality

With combined incomes of $120,000, you’d think Myles and Linsey would be living large. Instead, they’re counting every penny, delaying their wedding, and treating the idea of children like a far-fetched fantasy. Their story isn’t unique - it’s the Bay Area’s new normal, where even six-figure salaries feel like minimum wage in the face of skyrocketing costs.