High cost of living forces Bay Area residents to delay medical procedures, having kids

"Myles Hannan considers himself a happy guy. He likes his job as an EMT for an ambulance company in Alameda County. He loves his fiancée. But with the Bay Area's notoriously high cost of living, he's putting what he considers the most important things in life - marriage and children - on hold. The couple is "constantly smashing the piggy bank" to keep up with their bills instead. If they could afford a wedding, they'd be married by now."

"newsurvey conducted by the Bay Area News Group and Joint Venture Silicon Valley, a regional economic think tank based in San Jose, found that nearly a third of respondents say they have delayed starting a family because of financial pressures. Another 44% say they have skipped or delayed medical care because of high costs, and just as many say they are working extra hours or taking on additional jobs to make ends meet."

Myles Hannan is an Alameda County EMT who loves his fiancée but is postponing marriage and children because of Bay Area costs. The couple constantly scrapes to pay bills and would wed if they could afford it. A newsurvey reports nearly a third of respondents delayed starting a family due to financial pressures. Forty-four percent skipped or delayed medical care because of costs. Many residents are working extra hours, taking additional jobs, doing gig work, sharing housing, or moving in with relatives to cope. Grocery, housing, and utility costs are cited among the largest recent increases.

Read at The Mercury News