Well, if we're getting into the realm of should and shouldn't, that's a different story. :) No, I don't think anyone should have to put up with that sort of living arrangement. At the same time, I don't begrudge people that choice if they want to make it. While I wouldn't make the same choice, I respect it.
I would never advocate miserliness without necessity. There's no reason to torture oneself, just for the sake of living hard. But I respect the decision to live as frugally as possible, especially while bootstrapping a company. If that means living in one place with three buddies, then so long as all four people are cool with the living arrangement, so be it. It's far from ideal, but it's a legitimate choice.
There are plenty of alternatives to crashing with a bunch of people in one tiny place in SF. But if you've done the cost/benefit analysis, and you truly believe you need to be in SF, then, well, SF is expensive. Deal with that as best you are able. If you are willing to make some significant sacrifices, that's great. You shouldn't have to, but there's a difference between the world of "shouldn't" and the world as it is.
Case in point: I know of two co-founders who moved out to SF, couldn't afford an apartment, and instead, lived on a boat in the marina for half a year. Would I have the grit to do that? Not at my age, at any rate. But I respect it. We shouldn't glamorize it, but we shouldn't rush to cast aspersions on it.
I would never advocate miserliness without necessity. There's no reason to torture oneself, just for the sake of living hard. But I respect the decision to live as frugally as possible, especially while bootstrapping a company. If that means living in one place with three buddies, then so long as all four people are cool with the living arrangement, so be it. It's far from ideal, but it's a legitimate choice.
There are plenty of alternatives to crashing with a bunch of people in one tiny place in SF. But if you've done the cost/benefit analysis, and you truly believe you need to be in SF, then, well, SF is expensive. Deal with that as best you are able. If you are willing to make some significant sacrifices, that's great. You shouldn't have to, but there's a difference between the world of "shouldn't" and the world as it is.
Case in point: I know of two co-founders who moved out to SF, couldn't afford an apartment, and instead, lived on a boat in the marina for half a year. Would I have the grit to do that? Not at my age, at any rate. But I respect it. We shouldn't glamorize it, but we shouldn't rush to cast aspersions on it.