I could have lived in any number of places right after I first graduated college.  I could have lived in River North, in the River West  Chicago neighborhood, Wicker Park, or even somewhere close to the Gold Coast.  I could not afford and apartment in the Gold Coast.  In fact, I could even afford a box to shelter under for the night in the Gold Coast.  But I could have gotten an apartment that was relatively close.  Instead, I got a place in Niles, which is a northern suburb that borders the city.  I made a pretty irritating commute to the city every day for work, but rents are not nearly as high out in the suburbs as they are once you reach the city limits.  In fact, nothing costs as much, especially gas, which is just going up to criminal heights.  Eventually, I’ll move into the city, maybe after I get a  raise here at my job.  Until then, I’m saving all this money.  It will probably be enough that if I lost my job, I wouldn’t have to worry for a long while and could take my time finding a new one.  I might eventually end up with more money than I know what to do with, but that’s better than never having enough.