Hacker News Reader

Comment by selfmodruntime | Hacker News Reader

Not really. Rent is too high. It's not a problem unique to America. Rents in Munich, for example, have also doubled since 2012. A three-room apartment often costs between €2,200 and €2,700 per month in this city. For reference, that's close to an entire net salary for many, even for someone in the top 20% of earners in Germany, where salaries are relatively low and taxes are high. The median net income here is around €2,200 per month.

This has been a key factor in my fiancée's and my decision to move away, as it's simply unsustainable for families with children.

View on HN

That doesn’t really make sense with the point of the article being that someone could be spending less than 30% of their income on rent and still not have enough for their other expenses. If it was just rent being too high they would be over 30%. The suggestion here seems to be every expense is too high that even if you find the most dirt cheap sharehouse to reduce rent, you still might struggle.

The 30% assume gross, pre tax income - not net.

Ed: obviously the 50/30/20 rule sums to 100% so would need to be net - although the US is weirdly treating health insurance as a "premium service" that go into the 50% here, not into taxes like in a modern society.

This rule makes little sense for a country with an almost 50% tax rate.

It originated in the US, not meant to apply to all contexts/countries.

It's quite cruel how Germans still keep up appearances with applying for the apartment with elaborate portfolio, full personal and financial data, letters and so on. While the only portfolio that matters is envelope with EUR 1500 in cash, or at least was 2-3 years ago and now is probably higher. 5-8 years ago it was maybe funny but now is simply cruel.

I have never heard of someone paying cash to get an apartment tbh

People who do don't have the time to talk with you about it:)

I saw it in Berlin. In two occasions I saw the realtor be openly bribed in front of all of us, although whether he took the bribe or not I cannot say. I also saw a man bring mini muffins and a personalized letter from his wife, family picture included, but I'm not sure it counts.

Both numbers matter though. Something is unaffordable only when you can compare the price and income.

Also if you have children - I am not sure how it is for you in Germany, but in Poland landlords will not rent to anyone with children. Or ask twice as much because the assumption is if you don't have home already, you are suspicious...

in germany that's illegal. you are not allowed to deny families with children, and even small pets (small dogs, cats, hamsters, etc) can not be denied.

They just ghost you if you aren't chosen, good luck proving anything.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com