Sometimes when you’re facing the stress of staying in Seattle, you need a distraction. Joe Simpson and Monica Baroga have alter egos in an underground funk band. LuLu Carpenter reaches out to her disappearing community through the radio. Amy Douglas creates art embracing the city’s history, while she must decide if she’ll leave her hometown. Companion TV stories here: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/families-priced-out-of-seattle-as-cost-of-living-skyrockets/281-546127430 Share your story with KING 5 by emailing [email protected] Corrections from Joe: "We have 12 band members including ourselves and we actually got to Alaska because the town of Sitka and the listeners of its local NPR affiliate (KKAW radio) pooled their frequent flyer miles together to get all 12 of us up there for their Halloween ball."

If longtime Seattleites want to stay in their hometown, they probably need to make some sacrifices. For Joe Simpson and Monica Baroga, that has meant huge changes in their lifestyle. Amy Douglas has given up saving for her future, so she can stay in her home. Companion TV stories here: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/families-priced-out-of-seattle-as-cost-of-living-skyrockets/281-546127430 Share your story with KING 5 by emailing [email protected]

Longtime Seattleites face a struggle to stay in the city they call home. Homeowner Amy Douglas’ property taxes are almost untenable. Lulu Carpenter feels like she no longer belongs in the Central District. Joe Simpson and Monica Baroga need help from family and friends to stay in Seattle – and they try to keep the city’s spirit alive. Companion TV stories here: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/families-priced-out-of-seattle-as-cost-of-living-skyrockets/281-546127430 Share your story with KING 5 by emailing: [email protected]

Seattle has become the poster child for extreme rapid growth. Over the past five years, rents have climbed more than any other city in the country, and home values are up 88 percent. This series explores a side of the affordability crisis that is rarely visible. We profile long-time Seattleites with good jobs, who are now struggling to make ends meet with the rapid rise in the cost of living. Share your story with KING 5 by emailing [email protected] Hosted by Ryan Takeo. TV reporting by Amanda Grace.