To live in Manhattan, by yourself, how much money would YOU want to make? (apartment)

[YoungTraveler2011]

Just trying to get an idea of how much money you guys would be comfortable with to live in Manhattan by yourselves.

[barkomatic]

If you want to live comfortably (not extravagantly) in Manhattan by yourself in a fun neighborhood then I'd want to make around $175K per year at least. That's assuming you have market rate housing, eat out/get drinks a few times a week, go on a few nice vacations a year and save a little.

You can do it for much less if you are willing to compromise in a few areas. Getting a roommate, living outside of a trendy area, etc etc.

[Kefir King]

I would be VERY comfortable with an extra $Million a year, even MORE comfortable with $2 Million.

[likeminas]

10k a month just to get by.

[urbanintllctl]

"Want" to make or "need" to make?

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

Just trying to get an idea of how much money you guys would be comfortable with to live in Manhattan by yourselves.

[Thaddeus Maximus]

Originally Posted by urbanintllctl

"Want" to make or "need" to make?

Fair question. Depends on rent and what lifestyle you want. How much you NEED to be comfortable in the city is rather a subjective question. I don't need much to be comfortable, but some require far more.

I want enough to BUY an apartment, which requires well into the six figures, but not a huge place. 1 to 2 bedroom. If rent. Possibly $100-$150k. And live cheaply, but party hard.

[jcoltrane]

Do a forum search, there have been SEVERAL threads on the topic, and I do mean SEVERAL!!

$150K is the minimum for a single in Manhattan, choosing to live the SexNCity life.

A woman could do it for less, pressuming she is not gay, is relatively attractive, and enjoys her feminity and sexuality. A Helen Gurly Brown Cosmo girl, as opposed to a beta or less than beta type.

You could also do it for a little less by living in the boroughs, but $90K to $100K a minimum.

Also, Natives have ways to multiply their income. One way is they lack the need to pay exorbitant rents, simply to be 'trendy'!!!

Also, and importantly, to make any of this relevant, YOU need to define "COMFORTABLE"!!!

The word means different things to different people. Discount store, ramen noodles, and a place to lay their heads is comfortable for some people. Others would find that life to be a hardship and/or simply unacceptable.

Others demand a 1000 sqft or better, doorman building, full amenities, good security, parking, and a car, and the financial wherewithall to eat out/order out every night plus lunch and breakfast; and to liberally take taxis (even to and from work). For many NYers THAT is the definition of "comfortable".

Others in this forum will find that liifestyle luxurious and extravagant, unnecessary, and impossible to attain. Many in this forum refuse to accept that there are actually hundreds of thousands, in this city, that live that lifestyle.

Many have no relevant factor in their lives which allows them to comprehend a "comfortable" lifestyle, as opposed to actual wealth. $150K is NOT wealthy. It is simply enough, that a single person can live 'unencombered' by average working/middle class limits. That is all.

Some people shop and eat Organic; others eat Wonder Bread and name label canned goods; others, in this forum shop for 'No Frills' brand.

So, what's "comfortable"?

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For budgets and other info see previous threads.

[jcoltrane]

Originally Posted by Thaddeus Maximus

Fair question. Depends on rent and what lifestyle you want. How much you NEED to be comfortable in the city is rather a subjective question. I don't need much to be comfortable, but some require far more.

I want enough to BUY an apartment, which requires well into the six figures, but not a huge place. 1 to 2 bedroom. If rent. Possibly $100-$150k. And live cheaply, but party hard.

Herein again, the subjectives, "cheaply" and "party hard".

Each will have different meaning for different people. Patry hard could mean regularly hitting Transplant bars out in the boroughs, in Bed Stuy, Bushwich and the like; or, in the young and trend Williamsburg and Greenpoint; or, hitting the hottest hippest clubs, bars, and restaurants in Manhattan; or, it could mean living in Brooklyn's Brownstone belt and frequenting fashionable yuppie restaurants, bars, and clubs (different than young and trendy).

Each level has a different intent and requires different disposable income; and, I am not even going into what living "cheaply could mean.