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I know that NYC and burroughs are very expensive to live in. How do average people afford to live there? I know there must be poor people or even middle class folks who make it there, but how? Are the wages more in NYC? How do people other than the wealthy live there?
there are more affordable places than others, places like brooklyn that have gotten nicer over the years, without the crazy prices, help people who dont make much afford a place. But on average, the salaries in NY ARE higher compared to the same positions in other states...A job that would have paid me 36,000/year in CA would get me about 45k+ in New York.
I'm from South Georgia moving to new York, trying to find a place that's affordable is just crazy!!! The average rent is more than double what it is down here!! If I were to rent a place in Georgia for $1500/month, I'd be living in a mansion!!!
there are more affordable places than others, places like brooklyn that have gotten nicer over the years, without the crazy prices, help people who dont make much afford a place. But on average, the salaries in NY ARE higher compared to the same positions in other states...A job that would have paid me 36,000/year in CA would get me about 45k+ in New York.
1) Most of Brooklyn is almost as expensive as Manhattan except for areas like Brownsville, Canarsie, Flatlands & East NY. Whereas in other parts of the country housing prices & rents have slowed down, in NYC rents & housing prices keep spiraling higher even in the 'other 4 boros' & in the suburbs of Long Island & most of NJ.
2) $36,000 -- $45,000 is hardly a jump. $45,000 doesn't get much at todays market rents & is way too low to even consider buying anything in the greater NYC metropolitan area. And many other places have salaries that are equal to or greater what you think is such a wonderful package in NYC. Ex. I moved to the suburbs of Hartford Ct, and getting $10,000 more (mid 80K's) than I was getting in Manhattan. And the cost of living is maybe one out of many things that are better.
Working class neighborhoods in NYC are still pretty cheap, compared with Manhattan at least. You don't have to live in a slum like Brownsville to get decent rents. Certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are still relatively affordable for the region. You can find a 1 br in many of these areas in the $1,000 to $1,200 range. However most of these areas are 45+ mins by subway or other public transportation from all of the jobs in Midtown or Wall street.
Well first off the salaries are somewhat higher around here. There are definitely more white collar jobs available in NYC than in any other city in America. Also there are still a lot of good paying union/blue collar jobs that pay well in NYC compared to the rest of the country (union city workers, cops, teachers, will all be paid a lot more here than in other parts of the country). Of course there are fewer of these jobs available now, as compared to 50 years ago, but many of these jobs still exist.
Also frankly, people just put up with smaller spaces here than in other areas. Most people who live here understand that they're probably never going to be able to afford to live in some big mansion with 4-5 bedrooms and a nice yard in the city. People in other parts of the country would be up in arms if they had to sacrifice having a yard or lots of space. You can't afford to be so picky here.
Working class neighborhoods in NYC are still pretty cheap, compared with Manhattan at least. You don't have to live in a slum like Brownsville to get decent rents. Certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are still relatively affordable for the region. You can find a 1 br in many of these areas in the $1,000 to $1,200 range. However most of these areas are 45+ mins by subway or other public transportation from all of the jobs in Midtown or Wall street.
Well first off the salaries are somewhat higher around here. There are definitely more white collar jobs available in NYC than in any other city in America. Also there are still a lot of good paying union/blue collar jobs that pay well in NYC compared to the rest of the country (union city workers, cops, teachers, will all be paid a lot more here than in other parts of the country). Of course there are fewer of these jobs available now, as compared to 50 years ago, but many of these jobs still exist.
Also frankly, people just put up with smaller spaces here than in other areas. Most people who live here understand that they're probably never going to be able to afford to live in some big mansion with 4-5 bedrooms and a nice yard in the city. People in other parts of the country would be up in arms if they had to sacrifice having a yard or lots of space. You can't afford to be so picky here.
Are you insane??? COPS??? TEACHERS???? They are both horribly underpaid in NYC.
The average sanitation man makes way more money than a cop (or fireman).
Cops and teachers make way more money in New Jersey or Long Island.
"When including base salary, average overtime and night shift differential, holiday pay, and uniform allowance, a Police Officer earns over $35,000, on average, in the first year; $45,000, on average, in the second year; $77,000, on average, after 6 years"
"1 in 6 uniformed members of the NYPD are Detectives. A Detective’s (3rd Grade) average earning is
$100,000* (Promotion to Detective is not based on a promotional exam, it’s based on merit)
1 in 7 uniformed members of the NYPD are Sergeants. A Sergeant’s average earning is $100,000*
1 in 20 uniformed members of the NYPD are Lieutenants. A Lieutenant’s average earning is $122,000*"
While the pay certainly could be better, around the $100,000 range is pretty decent for a cop. Plus many of these guys have wives who work to supplement the familiy's income. As long as you aren't planning on living in Manhattan this situation is generally pretty doable in the outer boroughs.
Also according to an old artilce from the Post (Article | The Teacher-Pay Myth) the median salary for a teacher in the city is: $53,017. Once again, while not great this is a pretty decent salary, especially considering all of the time that they have off for the summer and random vacations during the year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LevityNYC
Are you insane??? COPS??? TEACHERS???? They are both horribly underpaid in NYC.
The average sanitation man makes way more money than a cop (or fireman).
Cops and teachers make way more money in New Jersey or Long Island.
We work hard, save our money and don't live a 'Sex in the City' lifestyle.
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