First of all, why not build the walls to the top of the ceiling? Seems like so much vertical space could be used!
Second of all, how long can this last? People criticize the tech economy for causing displacement and surely that's happening. But even people making extraordinarily good livings can't afford to live alone. Eventually, people will be unwilling to spend more than 50% of income on rent isn't sustainable. It seems to already be happening:
Building walls to the ceiling would require a building permit. Which the county wouldn't grant because it would be hazardous and violate the building code.
Building codes in the US typically require minimum dimensions for habitable spaces. These minimums reflect experience developed over the millenia and the requirement that laws and regulations have objective criteria and that governments generally apply them uniformly.
Second of all, how long can this last? People criticize the tech economy for causing displacement and surely that's happening. But even people making extraordinarily good livings can't afford to live alone. Eventually, people will be unwilling to spend more than 50% of income on rent isn't sustainable. It seems to already be happening:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11196718
I wonder if this is just the peak and soon there will be some form of return to rationality.