You certainly did not pay less to move in than you would have in a city without rent control. In SF, rent-controlled rents start at rates comparable to non-rent-controlled apartments. One might think they'd start higher, given that the landlord is agreeing to grant what amounts to an annuity along with providing a place to live, but that doesn't seem to happen. If you think rent control makes the prevailing market rates for new tenants lower, where do you suppose the money comes from to give senior tenants discounts of up to 100%?