As we have noted numerous times in the past, there is a Bull market in serfdom. America's Renter Nation has never spent more of its paycheck on rent and as Zumper notes, with rent prices in San Francisco and New York at the highest in the nation, affordability does not seem to exist in these two metropolitan areas. For some idea of the scale, there are actually castles in France and Italy that can be rented for about the same price as average apartments in these cities... All of the castles on this list have at least five bedrooms (one has eleven), while the correspondingly priced apartments in San Francisco or New York range from a studio with a murphy bed to a four bedroom. 1. Antic Castle, Tuscany, Italy- 11 bed, 11 bath, $4,040/month Nestled on a private hill and surrounded by trees and vineyards, this massive eleven bed castle can comfortably house up to twenty five guests. Built in the Middle Ages, this former aristocratic residence has been renovated to include modern day luxuries such as air conditioning, central heating, and satellite television. However, the 17th century stone fireplaces and beautiful terracotta floors still exude a warm, historical charm. Or you can rent… Stuyvesant Town, New York City, NY- 2 bed, 1 bath, $4,000/month Newly renovated, this contemporary two bedroom apartment has spacious bedrooms with generous closets, an adorable kitchen with modern appliances, and a stylish bathroom with a sparkling tub. Along with concierge service, this apartment building also comes with a fitness center, residents lounge, and on-site laundry. Having twenty five guests may be a little tight, however. 2. Chateau Le Mur, Comblessac, France- 8 bed, 5 bath, $2,800/month Sitting on 180 acres, this fifteenth century, eight bedroom castle is immense and fit for royalty. You can take in the stunning views of the scenic dairy farms nearby from the balcony or sunbathe in the bountiful garden. Inside, there are multiple, large fireplaces, medieval themed kitchens, and a knight’s armor at the door to greet you. Or you can rent… Upper East Side, New York City, NY – 2 bed, 1 bath, $2,995/month Recently renovated, this cozy two bedroom apartment has glossy hardwood floors, new fixtures, and a minimalist kitchen. The bedrooms are compact, but with large windows to let in an abundance of natural light, the rooms feel much bigger than they are. 3. Chateau Arfeuilles, Region Auvergne, France- 6 bed, 3 bath, $6,525/month Sophisticated and elegant, this six bed castle has been carefully decorated so each room is unique but the entire interior still exudes a tasteful charm throughout. The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances, there are two living rooms, one with a television, and every bedroom has a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. If you want to enjoy the sun, you can bask by the pool or lounge in one of the terraces. Or you can rent… Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, NY- 4 bed, 2 bath, $6,700/month In a brand new building, this stylish four bedroom apartment has shiny oak floors throughout, a natural calacatta marble backsplash in the kitchen, and porcelain walls in the shower. There is a large rooftop sun deck, private storage available, and 24/7 security in the lobby. 4. Ringuette, Region Aquitaine, France- 7 bed, 2 bath, $2,925/month On a piece of land that covers over 200 acres, this magnificent seven bed castle can accommodate up to twelve people. The spacious kitchen has a wood stove and the living room has a large fireplace. Outside, there is a lush, walled garden covered with vines and flowers, a private swimming pool, and a beautiful courtyard formed by the structures of the castle. Or you can rent… Lower Haight, San Francisco, CA- Studio, 1 bath, $3,000/month With just over 400 square feet, this snug studio apartment comes fully furnished with designer fittings. If you wanted to entertain guests, the Becker Murphy bed can be lifted up and hidden away. The kitchen has modern appliances and the bathroom comes with a tub. Some building amenities include a fitness center and a landscaped roof deck. 5. Perrier, Périgord, France- 6 bed, 5 bath, $4,940/month Fully restored, this tremendous six bedroom castle has a double fireplace in the living room, a large kitchen, and a game room with a billiard table. Outside, you can take in the stunning views of the countryside in the garden that covers three acres, play football in one of the several lawns, or relax and enjoy the sun in the private pool. Or you can rent… Laurel Heights, San Francisco, CA- 3 bed, 2 bath, $4,995/month With plenty of windows, this bright three bedroom apartment lets in plenty of natural light. Dark, hardwood floors run throughout the home and the spacious master bedroom has a large walk-in closet. The kitchen has a breakfast bar that opens up into the dining room area and there is a wood-burning fireplace in the living room. 6. Manoir de la Motte, La Motte, France – 5 bed, 3.5 bath, $6,064/month Tucked in an abundance of trees, this five bed, nineteenth century castle is a hidden, romantic escape from the world. All of the bedrooms are meticulously decorated with embroidered sheets and beautiful draping over the beds. You can take a hike through the lush forest or relax and enjoy the peaceful ambiance in the private garden. Or you can rent… NOPA, San Francisco, CA- 3 bed, 2.5 bath, $6,300/month With 1,750 square feet of space, this three bedroom condo feels like a single family home. It has a recently remodeled kitchen with new appliances, a quaint garden with lemon and plum trees, and adorable pastel walls throughout the home. There are glossy hardwood floors in the living room and kitchen and soft beige carpet in the bedrooms. Source: Zumper.com * * * With buying out of the question for mnost (hint - Student loans and affordability) and renting becoming increasingly unaffordable, the entire household formation "upside case" is now collapsing on itself, something we've discussed on a number of occasions. Recall the rise in "parental co-residence rates": Note that this situation has the potential to become self-fullfilling. That is, as homeownership becomes increasingly unrealistic, demand for rentals will only increase, driving further increases in the cost of rental housing. The question then becomes this: what happens when a family that can't afford a down payment can no longer afford to pay the rent?