How expensive is it to live in NYC?

[The1ThatGotAway2]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 1:40am

I'm considering moving there when I graduate from college. Is it as bad as people say it is?

[pab]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 2:12am

I guess it depends on where you are moving from and where exactly in the city you would want to live. Rent can be very costly.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 2:16am

Yes, it's very expensive. The rent alone is a killer. And my addiction to theater doesn't help my economic situation.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 2:18am

Stick to Queens or Brooklyn, its cheaper and only a train away from the city.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 2:19am

Actually, the battle for me wasn't paying the bills, it was going through the hassle of getting financially approved to live in the apartment building.

In NYC (as I'm sure it is with apts. in other major cities), they do a credit check, and they want you to make something like 40 times the yearly rent, or something rediculous.

I certainly don't make that - so I do go through all this paperwork to prove to them that I could pay the rent, etc.

It's just a big pain in the ass. And yes, it's at times absudly expensive.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 7:32am

It's all about living within your means. If you don't have that kind of discipline, you won't go far. I've lived in NYC for nearly 15 years, and while it can be very expensive, I've always managed to get my on my meager teaching salary.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 8:00am

Expect to pay $1100/month minimum if you plan to live in a desirable part of the city.

Updated On: 3/8/06 at 08:00 AM

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 9:47am

I had the same problem as munk. So I got my dad as a guarantor -- except they want him to make 80 times my monthly rent. Yeouch! He's retired, so his income was just slightly under that, so I had to put down a huge deposit. But now my finances are in pretty good shape -- I think. And I don't make an enormous salary.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 11:06am

Expect to pay $1100/month minimum if you plan to live in a desirable part of the city.

That's if you're sharing with one or more roommates. I live in what's considered a most desirable part of the city, and an average rental for a one bedroom is between 2-3k/month.

[mabel]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 11:35am

It's really crazy. I'm terrified of graduating in the spring, because I have no idea what I'm going to do. Rent is crazy. I don't have any friends who are really potential roommate material (for a variety of reasons) and I'm terrified of getting stuck with some crazy from craigslist. Yeah, definitely not looking forward to the apartment hunt. But I really should start getting serious about looking...AAAHHH!

While we're at it...I tend to be a bit outer-borough-phobic, so does anyone have any suggestions of affordable and safe neighborhoods in Brooklyn/Queens?? At this point, I'm definitely not opposed to branching out of Manhattan, but since I'm not the exactly savvy on the outer boroughs, any suggestions would be fabulous!

[Sandy in Sable]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 4:50pm

You can still live in Manhattan at a reasonable price. Get a roommate(s), and head uptown. It's not as scary up here as some people think. :->
We share a 4 br 2 ba for $2000 a month.
Updated On: 3/8/06 at 04:50 PM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 4:58pm

The one thing I'd really rather not do is live with roommates. I've heard so many horror stories and I'm a wee bit agoraphobic when it comes to living with someone I don't know.

Having said that, realistically, what can I get if I live on my own? I wouldn't say that price isn't an issue, but I'd rather it was under $2000.

The neighbourhood I'm looking for would have to be easily accessible to the subway and, you know, safe. But being an easy subway trip would be the biggest factor for me (esp. on the outer boroughs).

Updated On: 3/8/06 at 04:58 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:12pm

Subways are all over the place inside of Manhattan and very easy to get to except for the upper east side, and you're not moving there anyway! You could probably get a studio in a walkup in several neighborhoods in Manhattan for under $2000.

I can't answer for the boroughs, though. It may be cheaper to live there, but a longer walk to a subway in some cases.

[TheOneAndOnly]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:13pm

You could get a nice studio in Hell's Kitchen or an okay 1bedroom for around $2000...it's the current hot spot, and very convenient if you plan to work in theater.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:16pm

Though it killed me to do so (as I was a Manhattanite for a good number of years), the boyfriend and I moved to Queens two years ago. We got a large 1 bedroom for $1100 on the Broadway stop in Astoria. The N/W train can be a bitch-and-a-half, but the neighborhood is simply terrific. It's incredibly diverse and, above all, astonishingly safe. In my 10 years in NYC, this is the safest I've ever felt (lived in Hell's Kitchen, Upper West, Upper East and the East Village). I miss Manhattan a lot, but it was an incredibly wise choice, financially.

Now both my boyfriend and I are making decent money...we could afford to move back into Manhattan...but we've gotten so used to buying clothes whenever we like, going on several vacations a year and actually having savings accounts. Astoria is a terrific option...you can still get good deals (but it's going up every day).

[Sandy in Sable]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:17pm

Well yes, I guess I'm lucky b/c my roommates have always been good friends. But having the train, grocery store etc. on my same block has been worth almost anything.
Check out Astoria Queens.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:20pm

If I had it to do over again, I'd try to make better financial decisions earlier in life. I was a total f*ckup my first several years...at times having to go to check-cashing places cause I wouldn't have enough money to eat if I just deposited the check in my account and had to wait for it to clear. I can't stress enough how much easier your life will be if you begin with making sound financial decisions.

[mabel]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:26pm

Tiff, are you still seriously considering moving to NY???

[Sandy in Sable]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:27pm

I sent my last post before I saw robbiej's, but I'd like to echo what he said. Some of my best friends have lived in Astoria, and it's a great place. I always looked forward to visiting them, I could go to my favorite Greek bakery. And robbiej's right, I always felt so safe walking the streets at unGogly hours of the night. It's a family neighborhood. Plus, my friends' stop was Ditmars and it really wasn't that long of a trip from Times Square.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:36pm

Astoria Queens. I should look that up. It seems Astoria is the place to be. I just wouldn't want to have to walk more than 5 minutes to a subway stop. (My shoe choices don't permit excessive walking unless I want swollen feet for the next night - Mabel can attest to that.)

(And yes, I'm seriously considering NYC since I haven't heard a thing from law school. I was contemplating a 6 month stay in NY, but I'd have to figure out that whole pesky money situation.)

[mabel]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:43pm

Ahh, yes...the shoe situation. A lengthy walk wouldn't be pretty!

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:44pm

I have to again echo Astoria. It's very popular these days. A lot of those young'uns I work with are finding affordable places there and like it.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:56pm

Anyone have stories about unsafe situations when living in New York? Such as being mugged or what not? Tips to stay safe?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 5:56pm

NYC may be an expensive place to live but you can always pick up a few extra dollars by standiing on Corine's Corner every now and then.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/8/06 at 6:14pm

Capn-NY is actually safer than it has been in a long time. The best advice I can give you is not to appear confused, or lost when you're outside. Try to walk quickly and with a purposeful mein. This is what the police also give as the one thing that can keep you from a possible crime.

The only time I was mugged was not in NY, but in Jersey City in broad daylight.

Oh I want to add that I often seem crazy when I walk in the city and I think that thwarts muggers also.

Updated On: 3/8/06 at 06:14 PM