The woes of renting

I have been trying to get into a new place for the past few weeks, and for some reason, its been incredibly difficult. I have never faced so many obstacles while applying to rent an apartment or condo. This time around I've come just shy of providing blood samples when it comes to background checks. On top of the $30 to $40 to apply, I've had to provide bank statements, paystubs, social security card, references from landlords, professional references, landlord's tenant assessments, and more. I can't think of anything else I could possibly provide to prove that I am a worthy tenant.

After all this, we(my roommates and I) were denied for the first place we applied for. The complete story is unknown, but we were told that we don't make enough money. Between just 2 of us we make triple the rent price. So, with 3 incomes, how can we not make enough? Do we need to make quadruple the rent? Do we need to make $8000 a month?

I'm trying to figure this out. Why have I never had this much trouble before. I'm thinking its a combination of 2 things. The current economic state, and the location. I suppose maybe right now property management firms are playing it extra safe with their contracts. They might be putting a lot of pressure on the reliability of their future tenants. Maybe they're afraid that we'll lose our jobs or something. The other thing is that its in a nice area. Maybe they're just snobby. I'm thinking that this is more likely. Maybe they just really only want super high income tenants. I'm sorry but that's gay. If they are doing this, then they are discriminating against spending lifestyles. If I only make $2500 a month, I should be able to rent a place that costs $2000, as long as I have very few other expenses. It has nothing to do with how much money I make. It has to do with my ability to manage that money. What if a family moves in and makes $6000 a month, but they have $400,000 in debt and monthly expenses of over $4000? That easy enough with kids and 2 cars and a rough financial past.

I know that I will always make rent no matter what. I have great credit, and I work much harder than most people I know. I feel completely confident in this. Yet there's no way to prove that to anyone until I've really made my career. Its just something I guess I'll have to wait for. Super boring. Until then I'll just take a little nap.