COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? after 12 years as a security officer

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a security officer. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. My old employer will not help with the premium. Is the decision time really that tight?

I priced both side by side: total yearly cost, doctors in network and the deductible. Marketplace was cheaper for us, but only because our doctors were covered.