<prompt> Human: There is an article in todays NYT. The comments section are weird as always. There are people who say that they earn combined income of 300K, and cant afford middle class lifestyle since they cant buy home in Brooklyn. Is owning a home in high real estate area considered middle class? Do I consider myself a failure if I cant buy a house in San Francisco, even though technically I make more money than the guy working at the local restaurant at least I think so. In the past I am assuming the Bay Area economy was not as vibrant as it is now. Even then, I doubt people were able to purchase homes in the nicer area of San Francisco. So what gives? Why this constant rant about how things were great in the past, and it sucks that I cant buy a house. Is buying a house the only way to classify yourself as middle-class and have stable retirement? I can save for a rental unitcondo in SacramentoStockton. Is that a safe retirement planning? Assistant: In the past, most people could not afford homes in the nicest areas of SF. In the present, most people cannot afford homes anywhere in SF.Nevertheless, being a complainypants about this is dumb, because there is a very easy solution to the problem: Dont live in San Francisco.Human: Dont live in San Francisco.Considering that is not an option, is not owning a primary residence in expensive real estate regions like SFNYC and not avail the tax breaks on mortgage interest a detriment to my retirement? The people that I know who did buy homes in Sacramento area 9-10 years ago have mentioned that they didnt see significant tax relief from their mortgage interest deduction, and they property values have only recently recovered to prices that they purchase them at. Basically if I am am screwed for the retirement, I cant imagine those who earn much less than me are doing and that too with supporting families and kids, and I think that that number is quite large not just in Bay but elsewhere too. Stupid media and their panic-baiting articles.  <response>: Dont live in San Francisco. Considering that is not an option,How is that not an option?You are physically unable to take BART, Ferry, or CalTrain into San Francisco? 