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So, it's been about two months since I've moved from Florida to New York and I just wanted to share some info regarding perceptions of how expensive the city is. This topic seems to be hotly debated here and I wanted to share my first-hand experience.
Let me preface this statement by saying that I make a working-class salary, about $45,000, so I don't get slammed that hard by state and city taxes but I've found New York City to be no more expensive than Florida whatsoever. Except when it comes to rent obviously. Hear me out.
I was paying $800 a month in the Tampa area. Here in NYC I'm paying $1200, and the apartments are quite comparable in size actually. I love the area I'm in and my place here is safe, spacious (for NYC) and clean. But, obviously, a 50% difference in rent is huge. I split the rent with my girlfriend, so I pay $600, which is less than I clear in one week of work. So it's not really a burden.
Transportation in Florida absolutely killed my budget. $200/mo car payment, $140/mo insurance payment, $200/mo gas, + upkeep on the car. Here I take public transpo, which certainly can be less convenient at times than driving, but it's $112/mo. About two weeks worth of gas in Florida.
Groceries are absolutely no more expensive and often less expensive, as long as you're savvy.
Utilities are about the same.
Even day-to-day dining spots (chinese/deli/pizza/etc.) are about the same price as back in Florida.
Having said that, my girlfriend and I mostly hang around near home so we're not in Manhattan shopping, having cocktails and fancy dinners.
Anyway, I've been able to save way more money than I ever did back home and I live a better lifestyle...
Well what the OP said is kinda true. Not everyone that lives in NYC is an Ivy League Wall Street Banker.
School teachers work in the city, plumbers work in the city, registers nurses work in the city, police officers, transportation workers, sanitation workers, public works employees.
I find it hard to believe that the whole population of NYC is part of the elite 1%. I would say that most of the cities work force are most likely down to earth hard working folks.
Sounds like everything worked out well for you. Congrats! I think one thing people get hung up on is wanting to live only in the areas they think are cool. That's when NY is unaffordable for the working-class-salary transplant -- when their mind is closed to options other than Manhattan, hip Brooklyn and LIC/Astoria. You kept an open mind and made it work.
The big difference is you could likely own that place in Tampa for $600 a month, while the apt. in New York would cost you double.
The big change is in the long haul.
1200 for a 1BR is cheap though. Doesn't sound like comparable neighborhoods.
You also aren't comparing apples and oranges with a 200 month car payment.
The payment eventually ends and you own the car outright- by selling it you're in less of a financial crunch than you were in Florida.
The big difference is you could likely own that place in Tampa for $600 a month, while the apt. in New York would cost you double.
The big change is in the long haul.
1200 for a 1BR is cheap though. Doesn't sound like comparable neighborhoods.
You also aren't comparing apples and oranges with a 200 month car payment.
The payment eventually ends and you own the car outright- by selling it you're in less of a financial crunch than you were in Florida.
The other items are however valid expendables.
This is more of a look at an individual's profile who decided to make it work in his own way, without sacrificing his QOL. The possibility of him owning anything in Tampa is irrelevant to this thread. You can also find a safe neighborhood and pay 1200 in the outer boroughs. Regardless of him owning any motor vehicle outright, the point is he would still be dealing with upkeep,gas & insurance payments; all of which are replaced by a unlimited monthly metrocard.
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