60K in NYC - Livable? (New York, Paris: credit, rent , jobs)

[Viralmd]

Does NOBODY think about health insurance???? No wonder there's a four hour wait in the 'emergency' room.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Does NOBODY think about health insurance???? No wonder there's a four hour wait in the 'emergency' room.

Our daughter gets that benefit from her employer

[Marie1249]

Originally Posted by Jdawg8181

It's out of the question. I make $80k and i was renting an apartment for $1,000/mo. 6 months later I moved back in with my parents and hev been there ever since. It may be do-able but there is a lot of stuff you will have to cut back on...namely fun & recreation. I lived off cup o' soup for months.

I'm not sure what kind of lifestyle you were leading, but I find it strange that you couldn't live on 80K.

In NYC, it's not easy, but definitely doable. For me, the key to making it work, was to first save up enough for a downpayment for a little place of my own--10%.

In 2004, I was making 55K and managed to buy a 2-bedroom co-op in a nice area. My mortgage and maintenance were less than renting a similar place. Sure, I didn't have much money left over after paying mortgage, maintenance, utilities, food, carfare. But it worked out. Now, three-and-a-half years later, I am making 65K and doing OK, which means an occasional dinner out, inexpensive vacations, new clothes now and then. And yes, I still manage to save a little every two weeks in my 401K.

I don't live a glamorous life, but it's all right. It can be done with a bit of sacrifice.

[UpstaterInBklyn]

Originally Posted by Jdawg8181
It's out of the question. I make $80k and i was renting an apartment for $1,000/mo. 6 months later I moved back in with my parents and hev been there ever since. It may be do-able but there is a lot of stuff you will have to cut back on...namely fun & recreation. I lived off cup o' soup for months.

$80K is $4300/mo. take home. What did you do with the other $3300 while you were eating your Cup O' Soup? Holy sh** That's some serious "fun and recreation"

[keith talent]

That's about what I started with when I came back to NYC in 97! Ouch. I remember thinking it was a little nuts to pay $1,000 for a tiny walkup 1-bed over on 50th by 11th Ave ... but 2300+, on her own? I don't see how you can survive like that! I had some child support, too ... but my nut wasn't nearly so big. Seems to me she could still find a studio for around 1K in close-in Queens (Sunnyside/Woodside/Jackson Hts.) or further-out Brooklyn.
I understand the need for privacy and wanting to avoid roommates, but then you've got to give a little on space & location ...

[Bette]

Our daughter was so determined to do this. I think she will eventually get a 2nd job - even just one day a week at Starbucks would work! My husband were very against the move and everything but she is an adult. We wanted her to live at home, save her money - she is a good saver - and then she could make decisions based on what she really wanted but oh, no....oh, well, she loves NYC, loves her job, has nice friends so what more could I ask for?
She's also a great girl and that's why we miss her!

[gaia227]

I make less than $50,000 a year and I can afford to live in Manhattan. I live in rent controlled one bedroom apt for $900.00 a month. I have cable, internet, phone, I have my groceries delivered, I still have money to go with for drinks on the weekend or dinner. Obviously I am not living the high life but I can afford to live here on my salary and still have money to be able to take advantage of what the city has to offer.
It can be done you just have to keep your expectations in check.

[jeffcon0]

Originally Posted by gaia227

I make less than $50,000 a year and I can afford to live in Manhattan. I live in rent controlled one bedroom apt for $900.00 a month. I have cable, internet, phone, I have my groceries delivered, I still have money to go with for drinks on the weekend or dinner. Obviously I am not living the high life but I can afford to live here on my salary and still have money to be able to take advantage of what the city has to offer.
It can be done you just have to keep your expectations in check.

Yes, if you've lived in your apartment since before July 1st, 1971 then you can have the luxury of paying next to nothing in a rent controlled apartment. Or if you have taken it over as a successor from a family member you can also have that luxury. For everyone considering moving to NY now this is not an option so don't let anyone tell you that a bedroom apartment in Manhattan is doable for that amount.

Must. Resist. Urge. To. Rant. On. Evils. Of. Rent. Control....

[Guywithacause]

So true Jeffcon.....I second that. To think the poster is saying that she lives just fine on $50,000 by living in a 1 bedroom rent controlled apt for $900 is laughable, ridiculous, and is representative of nothing, except the monumental and horrific burden this renter places on a LL who pays UP THE NOSE to provide her/him with an unfair existence.

This poster's rent controlled experience is no more valid a reasonable or accurate assessment of the affordability of living in Manhattan on $60,000 than an 80 year who has lived in the Village for 40 years, earning $1,200 a month on social security, and pays $300 for a rent controlled 1 bedroom apt in the Village. This poster is the kind of illogical and irrational tenant that I would expect of someone abusing rent control.

[SeventhFloor]

hey lets not be judgmental...i'm sure if any of us had a rent controlled apartment, you wouldnt be knocking on the LL's door begging him to raise your rent because you think its unethical that your neighbor is paying 1600 while you pay 900. so just leave it alone.