By: Lacey James

Let’s talk about rent. 

We live in the Golden State. 

We live in America, which is the land of freedom and opportunity. 

I hear time and time again from friends and family that the soaring price of renting is beyond out of control. 

Whether inflation, price gouging by landlords, or lack of rent control policies are to blame there is still an overhanging problem that needs to be solved. 

According to CalMatters, 40% of young adults live with their parents. 

According to CNBC, California also holds the title for the second most expensive place to live in the country just after Hawaii.

With California Environmental Quality Act laws (CEQA), Not In My Backyard agenda movements, and soaring mortgage rates, the housing market in California for young adults is worrisome. 

Rent prices in California are in a whole different ballpark.

I am here to say that it was not always this way. 

I grew up in Southern California and I loved it wholeheartedly. I grew up with a single mother who had three daughters. This was many years ago and things were, for all intents and purposes, different. My grandfather was a diesel mechanic for 30 years. He was the head of the household and supported my family off one salary. 

The current staggering discrepancies of wages and housing prices is astronomical. It seems evil. This could also be attributed through seeing perspectives through different class lenses. This could also be attributed through seeing perspectives through different class lenses. Clearly, there are some who are doing fine and not everyone will agree with me.

I think people can relate to the stagnant atmosphere that was created and is still in effect in California. The thought of living on your own in this situation seems like a fairy tale for most. I know a lot of young people who are worried that they will have to move out of state or will never be able to afford a home, let alone rent on their own, without multiple roommates.

It is important to be able to rent and it not be too overwhelming. If one is working full time, they should be able to support their family on a livable salary.

Californians should also be able to live comfortably without multiple roommates or live with their parents as they are adults.

Everyone needs space to grow and flourish. Sharing bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces is not ideal for everyone. Quiet hours and boundaries can certainly affect our mental clarity. If you’re like me, you like to decorate. I enjoy painting and hanging up my art on the wall. Roommates might disagree with my style.

According to Zillow, the median rent for California is $2,760. This may seem excessive because it is. According to Rent Data compared to 2014 when the average rent in California was $848 for a one bedroom. 

I sympathize with everyone working through these tough times. I think it is important to lean on others through times when you’re feeling like your situation is unbearable. Fear, stress, and irritability can permeate the strongest of minds.

My hope is that one day California will be affordable for all young adults like myself. But I fear that others, like myself, will be captured by this economic wave of unfairness and unequalness. 

Overall, rent is excessively high and out of control.