With the cost of housing having risen substantially in a post-COVID era, I’d like to offer some “unhinged” housing ideas for rent under $1,000, inspired by my creative and entrepreneurial friends:

As a single person:

• Find a private landlord who wants a stable, quiet, safe renter, and rent a basement or attic (A couple of my friends are currently doing this in their 40s with modest incomes in HCOL areas and their rent is under $1K).
• 1BDR converted to a 2BDR using an oversized living room as a second BDR. I did this with a dear friend and roommate in my mid to late 20s for rent under $1K. We bought a freestanding room divider (~$50 on Amazon).
• 4BDR house shared by 4 roommates (I know professionals and artists in their 20s and 30s in HCOL cities with this arrangement for rent ~$1K).

For couples:

• 2BDR apt shared by 2 couples for rent under $1K (This is how some of my creative friends made NYC or LA work.)
• Live onsite at an apartment complex for free or at a highly discounted rate when one partner is the property manager or leasing agent on property (I have friends in CRE with this arrangement). This can also work for a single person.

For couples with children:

• Army-style living - A friend of mine grew up with this arrangement. 2BDR apartment with 2 children to a room in bunk beds. Or 4 children to a room with 2 sets of bunk beds.
• Multi-generational living - Several friends of mine have used this arrangement during turbulent times, like job loss, COVID, death, divorce, deployments, caring for parents etc.
• Move to cheaper cities - I know many couples that have moved out of HCOL cities to cheaper cities or suburbs to be able to afford childcare, education, or be located near family members. 

The bottom line:

In my opinion, these arrangements need to be normalized. While these may not be ideal scenarios, they may just be what needs to be done for a season of life to survive, get out of debt, pursue a lifelong dream, and finally get ahead in life.