Living in NYC Advice Needed

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Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:09am

Hi, everyone!

I did do a search, but came up kind of spare on this. I could really use your advice. I've just had a job offer in the City that pays $32,000 a year. Will I be able to live on this? I have a $225.00 student loan payment I'm worried about.

Thanks for any feedback you can offer.

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:14am

Yes...

...if you have two roommates and live in outer Queens and are fine with eating three times a week.

Suzanne: I never use catalogs. I'd rather go in the store and see all the salespeople groveling and sucking up to you. Julia: Pardon me, I never knew they were so solicitous at the K-Mart.

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:14am

Yes, you can live here, but the sooner you lock in a really low rent rate, the better you'll be.
Is that your only bill outside of bills that will be added by living here (phone, rent, electric)? If it is, you should be fine.

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:22am

Thanks - this is exactly what I need to know. Yes, other than monthly living expenses, that's my only debt.

I don't want to make the move if it's not going to work, though.

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:29am

Don't listen to Jailyard, he won't eat anywhere cheaper than Le Cirque and that's like last on his list.

It's definitely possible. You won't be living the high life but you can do it. You'll have to budget yourself well (it's what I do) but it's totally doable.

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:53am

You vicious snake!

I will have you know I have stooped so low as PASTIS, young man.

Harrumph.

Suzanne: I never use catalogs. I'd rather go in the store and see all the salespeople groveling and sucking up to you. Julia: Pardon me, I never knew they were so solicitous at the K-Mart.

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 10:55am

I'd just like to thank you for calling me young man.

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:00am

*chortle* In a former life, perhaps! Now I stay home and knit while watching Mary Tyler Moore reruns.

Suzanne: I never use catalogs. I'd rather go in the store and see all the salespeople groveling and sucking up to you. Julia: Pardon me, I never knew they were so solicitous at the K-Mart.

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:11am

You're a stich Sue Ann!

#10

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:11am

Let me step in with the voices saying yes, it can be done. But you will probably need a roommate, unless you are good at living on an incredibly tight budget. At that salary, your rent will probably be at least 40 to 50 percent of your income, which is a lot higher percentage than it should be (in theory). And unless you find a place for $800 a month, you will need a guarantor to secure an apartment in all likelihood -- someone who makes annually 80 times your rent -- or else be prepared to put down a huge security deposit.

Updated On: 7/25/06 at 11:11 AM

#11

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:15am

I also assume your 32K is *pre* tax salary. After taxes, you will probably bring *home* approximately 24K, or around 2K a month...$1000 biweekly/$500 weekly.

You'd better hit Craigslist and look for a CHEAP share, honey.

Suzanne: I never use catalogs. I'd rather go in the store and see all the salespeople groveling and sucking up to you. Julia: Pardon me, I never knew they were so solicitous at the K-Mart.

#12

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:17am

how are jaily and calvin in the same place at the same time? i thought they were the same person?!?

XING
PED

#13

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 11:18am

Probably not even 2K, if you're going to be getting any kind of health benefits/401K/etc.

But it shouldn't be too difficult with a roommate or two. I've gotten by on not much more than that alone, although I've realized that I'm going to have to find a roommate before long.

#14

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:07pm

The Elphapug's looking for his own room, Calvin.

Miss Balash, your best bet is definitely a roommate. In fact, if you don't know anyone in the city looking for a roommate currently, your best bet is to look somewhere like Craigslist in their roommate section. You might have to sift through some seriously disturbing people to find a good place but it's totally possible. I could have easily moved into Chelsea a year ago if I had been able to afford $800 at the time. Less is definitely possible if you live uptown in Manhattan (Harlem or above) or in Queens or Brooklyn.
I was able to find three places that were actually quite good for under $600 each when I was desperately looking for cheap place.

#15

re: Living in NYC Advice Needed

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:19pm

I'm definitely planning to have a roommate. Fortunately, I have a friend who's letting me stay with her until I find a place of my own. I keep hoping a friend of a friend will need someone to move in, just to filter out the crazies you're talking about! The job itself is a great opportunity - I just don't want to end up declaring bankruptcy or eating cat food if I take it!

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