A few days ago I started considering what sort of life I would have after I graduated from grad school. I tend to live very conservatively in terms of how much I spend, how much space I need, and how big an environmental footprint I leave behind. I tend to like finding small apartments in out-of-the-way, walkable neighborhoods that are modestly priced and adorned. I’ve recently been very concerned about social justice issues and for about an hour I had it in my head that I’d get an apartment in the “bad” part of town and live among “real” people so I would be constantly be reminded of my privilege and how good I have it. No matter what my future success might be, I would never become complacent or take my privilege for granted.

Then something occurred to me: that’s… kinda gentrification, isn’t it? And another thing occurred to me: if after I graduate, I get a decent job and take an apartment that’s a lot cheaper than one I could otherwise afford, could it be argued that I am taking away that apartment from someone who can only afford apartments at that price? Is paying higher rent for a “better” place actually the more equitable outcome? It seems strange to think this way, but it has a certain undeniable logic to it.

What do you think? Which is the more morally correct path?