<prompt> Human: Hi PF,It is a general advice to spend LESS than 30 of gross income for Rent. Some even say it should be 30 of Take-home pay and not gross income.I have question for people in Bay Area. How do you manage to achieve this WITHOUT staying with roommates?I am 27M, Will be married in 6 months and earn 140K.Spouse will not earn or lets say I wanna plan by budget without counting her income and planning to stay in San Mateo, Redwood City area.As per pay calculators, my take home pay after 401K and health insurance is 7k monthly and the apartments I like are all 3200-3500 range utilities which is 50 of my take-home pay.What do I do??Some Background:I am not from USA and planning to go back to my home country in 2 years. Wish to live in a little luxury way before I move back. I am okay if my savings per month are low post marriage. I have 100K of my own in savings and a wonderful family to support me if things go south.  <response>: In high COL areas that 30 number is often difficult to hit without roommates. Its really what youre comfortable doing. 