Interesting post but it's kind of lame without the actual #s.... even a broad range would be helpful.
Feels like the author goes to great lengths to play coy and is dancing around telling us what their actual budget was. He keeps referring to things as "cheaper" and "more expensive" but doesn't give any relevant parameters to put that into perspective.
Also, how does Berkeley have rent control but Oakland doesn't? Aren't they both in the same county?