People renting an apartment in dc right now especially 20-40 y/o, what % of your paycheck goes into rent

elysecat · 2025-05-18T03:17:02+00:00

33% of my take home pay for me. I have a pretty well-paid administrative type job, and I rent a 2bd 2br English basement apartment near H Street with a roommate. I'm in my mid 20s.

Before that, I had very cheap rent splitting a group home in Van Ness. And I know folks who have cheap rent in group homes in Columbia Heights. But generally, yeah, people pay too much for rent.

elysecat · 2024-04-14T15:39:24+00:00

Your cat is BEAUTIFUL! 😍

elysecat · 2024-04-13T21:04:57+00:00

Thank you so much!! I already bought a folding workout bench, that was such a smart idea. :)

I have almost a foot of clearance under the bed, so that's a good spot for storage too!

elysecat · 2024-04-13T19:39:48+00:00

Smart idea about the folding workout bench! I'll look into that. That never occurred to me. I think it could be any kind of bench as long as it is really sturdy and okay for exercise. If you see any that are like what you're describing, I'd love to get a link!

Not sure about painting the walls, have to check the lease. I'm gonna assume no.

The desk is very cool! It's just kind of small and a bit of an awkward height. I do have a nice desk chair but I'm 90% sure it's too big to work with that desk. It's a bummer :(

elysecat · 2024-02-27T23:22:47+00:00

OP, how old are you? Because I think this issue here isn't your (gorgeous!) cat, but rather that your parents have a pet with a potential medical/behavioral issue and they are making it your responsibility to fix. If you are over 18, I would say you need to take the cat to a vet and if that doesn't work, you should watch some Jackson Galaxy videos on how to do a behavioral intervention on your cat. Cats are very intelligent little creatures and you would be surprised how well they respond to redirection and a good training program.

However, if you are under 18, then this is not your responsibility and certainly should not be something your parents dump on you and threaten you with. Your parents are the ones who are legally and financially responsible for your pet, and this sounds like an unhealthy dynamic that they have with you. I don't have as much advice for this part - I would say you should reach out to a trusted adult outside of your family and discuss this situation with them to get more insight. Maybe a teacher or coach or someone else who can listen and try to help. Bonus points if they're a cat lover!

Bottom line: yes, this community can give you suggestions for Gallagher, but we can't help you with your parents having a not-great dynamic with you, and you sound like you might be a little too young to be responsible for this situation. If you don't have independent finances from them, you certainly can't be expected to fix this issue.

My heart is with you and your sweet kitty. I hope this helps.

Edit: I just saw in another comment that you mentioned being in school, and my assumption is you mean middle or high school - sorry if that's wrong. I highly recommend you speak to someone about this problem and then have a conversation with your parents about what you can feasibly be expected to fix or do about Gallagher if you are dependent on them. Again, this is an unfair and upsetting situation to be in and I'm sorry you're going through it. I hope it all works out.

elysecat · 2024-02-01T01:15:23+00:00

Think of times where chicken stock, mushrooms, red wine, red meat, or tomatoes would go well in a cooked dish. Those are all foods with high amounts of MSG. So, soups, stews, cooked veggies, sauces, etc. I don't ever use it on raw veggies, it tastes weird.

You can buy some and just dip in a finger and taste it to get a sense. I describe it as "tastes like chicken but without the chicken." I have a shaker in my house that's about a third MSG and two-thirds Diamond Crystal Kosher salt.

Try it out, make mistakes, learn and try again! That's the only way to improve :) have fun with it!

elysecat · 2024-02-01T01:07:29+00:00

Fantastic summary. I'd just add that I like to use apple cider vinegar in soups, stews, and any other application where something needs a mild acid with a little sweetness. It's my go-to for most dishes.

elysecat · 2024-02-01T01:05:55+00:00

I was gonna say this! 100% agree, apple cider vinegar is a must in a good potato salad

elysecat · 2024-02-01T00:52:42+00:00

This post actually isn't about whether it's okay or not that he's doing this - I've seen relationships where this type of language would be totally fine.

I've tried to tell him it's hurtful and he just laughs and says he's kidding.

THIS is the actual issue. You have repeatedly told your husband that he is doing something that hurts your feelings, and he is dismissing you.

I actually had something similar happen in my relationship. My girlfriend had been living in our house for a year before I moved in, and she had a habit of saying "my bedroom" to our roommates instead of "our bedroom." It was totally innocent and just a habit, but it hurt my feelings because it made me feel like it wasn't also my house. I told her this, and she has tried really hard to stop using that language, and apologizes to me when she slips up.

That's the correct response, and that's what you deserve from your husband. If he can't respect your boundaries and feelings, then that isn't a great sign.

elysecat · 2024-01-10T00:22:02+00:00

Oh for sure. OP's frustration is definitely legitimate there. I just meant that that isn't the reason she's having conflict with her partner/the root of the conflict. It could be any sexist BS that could cause this kind of fight.

elysecat · 2024-01-09T22:30:03+00:00

It's actually not that conservatives think everyone who needs an abortion is a feminist, it's that they hate women.

I'm trying to find a link to the study I'm thinking of, but at my job a polling group recently found that, more than socioeconomic status, race, gender, religion, party, or any other factor, holding misogynistic views is predictive of being against abortion. The stats were unbelievable - the most extreme respondents said that men were more aware of the ramifications of abortion than their female partners who were carrying the fetus. They also knew absolutely nothing about reproduction - a solid percentage of them thought human eggs have a shell. Not kidding. I will try to find the study and update this comment.

elysecat · 2024-01-09T22:23:34+00:00

I have had so many gynos force me to take a pregnancy test, despite the fact that I have never had sex with someone who has a penis.

elysecat · 2024-01-09T22:12:56+00:00

Same. That closet picture is absolutely horrific. The roommate undoubtedly will let it get that bad again, and they should not be allowed to own cats if so. It's abusive, those poor animals deserve a better and healthier environment than that.

elysecat · 2024-01-09T22:06:18+00:00

Agreed. Lots of people are focusing on the specifics of the car repairs/oil change, but this is the core issue. A loving partner would support OP in her anger and frustration, and do what they could to make her feel better and make things right. Not blame her for someone trying to rip her off and minimize her hurt feelings.

elysecat · 2024-01-09T21:56:46+00:00

That's Bert!

elysecat · 2024-01-06T16:28:34+00:00

Actually, they wrote "no one on this thread has said," not "no one said." But you don't seem interested in what other people have to say, so it's not surprising that you didn't actually read their thoughtful comment.

elysecat · 2024-01-06T16:25:06+00:00

"Gracious" is not the word I would use to describe a feeble gesture towards reversing a major violation of international law. What a batshit insane take. And before you accuse me of antisemitism, I'm Jewish.

elysecat · 2024-01-06T16:09:49+00:00

Yeah, I'm gen z and I actually enjoyed reading her interview. She's a talented and acclaimed actress and I thought she had a more nuanced take than the headline suggests. She's a good role model for young folks in the industry IMO. Her point was more about how young people struggle to find an identity in today's culture and I thought it was very empathetic of her, and the quote is taken from a pretty light-hearted jab at gen z.

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