<prompt> Human: Long time lurker; first time poster.TL;DR: 1700 rent on 72.5k salary - am I crazy?I am graduating college this May Im 22 and starting a job making 72,500 with a 10,000 signing bonus. I will be in a high COL area D.C.DMV area for those familiar and my apartment search for a studio1BD has me looking at places that were more than I ever thought I would consider right out of school. While I could snag a place for right around 1000-1200month, most of those places are in sketchy areas and reviewers complain of things such as their cars getting broken into, cockroaches, crappy management, and drug deals taking place in common hallways. Basically, the nice spots I am looking at run approximately 1500-1700month. These locations have nice amenities such as access-controlled garage parking, close distances to metro lines, gym, pool, washerdryer in the apt. and all the bells and whistles as well as modern and clean. I suppose my question is: Am I out of my mind for thinking I can afford 1700month in rent? I am having a hard time estimating what my true take home pay will be after taxes, retirement, health insurance, HSA contributions, etc. Looking for general advice, or if anyone was in a similar situation and made it work! For what its worth, these places also have promotions such as first month of rent free which I would try to take advantage of. Some additional information: Graduating with no school loanscollege debt thanks militaryparents Have a paid off car I will keep for many years Plan on contributing 15 to the 401k right away 11,500 in a Roth IRA maxed 2016, 2017 and plan to continue Single, no plan on kids or buying a home anytime soon Strong creditI know the point of roommates will come up. My original plan was to room with people I knew, but my job has me in a different area so that fell through. The prices of a lot of these places in the area does not change much with roommates anyhow as it seems for example: 1 bedroom for 1700 vs. 2 bedroom for 3000. I also put significant value to living by myself and would rather seek a cheaper place living by myself than a nicer place with a random roommate. Thank you for your time!Assistant: High COL cities its not unusual to spend 30-40 of pay on rent. The one thing Id suggest is try and avoid needing a car entirely. Most of my DC friends dont have a car, and those that do end up making IKEA runs for their social circle.Human: Thats a great point to consider that I never thought of. It seems like a foreign concept to get rid of my car at this point coming from an area where you need a car to basically do anything but Im sure after I have been down in the new area for a little Ill realize how little I use it. Unfortunately I am stuck with the car for a least another year for monthly trips back home due to being in the Reserves. Also, I kinda screwed myself it seems by saying Yes to the Will you have a car? question on the onboarding survey.  <response>: Well weve got three things on the table:- Get a decent apartment without roommates- Maximize retirement savings- Keep a car in a cityI dont think you can do all three- but probably can get two of three. Which are most important to you? 