Expenses other than renting (New York, York: insurance, maintenance, apartment)

[tvdxer]

From looking at Craigslist, I understand that rent is very expensive across NYC, even in the outer boroughs.

But other than rent, what in New York is so expensive? Is the cost of living in NYC overhyped?

Maybe groceries are expensive, but what else makes the city so costly? Would it really be that costly, aside from rent, for a person who mainly frequents ethnic restaurants (which aren't that expensive - I was there and rarely paid more than ~$20 for a complete meal, appetizer included), doesn't care about going to "trendy" clubs and bars, takes advantage of free or near-free attractions (like The Met, parks, etc.), does most shopping at thrift stores and in ethnic districts, and doesn't drive (has a monthly metro pass)?

I'm interested in seeing what you all think.

[Carbro]

Sometimes your rent includes utilities, but if not, be prepared to shell out at least $100/mo for gas & electric. In winter, I should add.

Sales tax is 8.75%, not on groceries and not on clothing over $110 (?), but on pretty much everything else.

New York can be very expensive, but as you are figuring out, if you do it right, once you've taken care of rent and utilities, you can also do it pretty inexpensively. Summer , of course, offers more free diversions, but watch that Con Ed bill shoot up!

Oh, and groceries are expensive. I am in awe whenever I have a chance to visit a suburban supermarket! I want to buy everything in bulk! Most of the products in the markets where I shop cost about 40-50% more. I might be able to shop more cheaply, but then I'd have to add the cost of r/t bus or subway (since I use pay-per-ride Metrocard) and the inconvenience.

[Colokev]

Everything is more expensive in NYC.
Groceries are very expensive. Laundry adds up too. If you're building has machines then you can use those but, if you're like me, mine only had 2 machines for the whole building and they were always in use. Except to pay about $12-$20 if you drop off your laundry at a wash place. Public transportation is a lot. $81 now for an unlimited metrocard. Not forget cabs. Those add up too. Food and drink at restaurants and bars are very expensive too.
Don;t forget your Con Ed bill. I'm still trying to figure out how my bills were always over $100 a month for a TINY apt.

[mead]

- Rent is expensive
- Utilities (Con Ed) are higher here than in other parts of the country
- Groceries cost more
- Restaurants are pricier
- Insurance of all types (especially car insurance) costs more
- Doctors/Dentists without insurance cost more
- Bars are more expensive
- Taking the subway/train costs money
- Sending your kids to private school because the public schools are bad/dangerous costs money
- Taxes are really high. In NYC there are Federal, State, AND city income taxes to pay.


And finally there is just the regular keeping up with the Jones' which is always in hyper-drive in this area. This includes things like cars, clothes, TVs, and stuff for the apartment/house.

[SeventhFloor]

u hit the nail on the head mead.....wish i could break out of that "keeping up with the joneses" syndrome....1 of my many vices....oh well u live once.

[UpsonDowns]

Rent, utilities and food are the items that really hurt in my opinion. $81 a month to go anywhere in the city is a bargain compared to what people without mass transit pay for cars (purchase, maintenance, insurance, gas, parking, etc).

There is always cheap and or free entertainment to be had. I buy clothes on eBay and run for free in Central Park. NYC has a couple of amazing parks and recs centers with pools and gyms that can be joined for under 100 bucks per year.

I wish movies and concerts were cheaper, but I get DVDs from the library and have a special savings account where I set aside funds for a couple of bands that I really love. If I lived in a cheaper place, they might not come to town at all so I figure it is a trade-off. We don't have cable or a gaming system (I did buy a refurbished ipod) or a lot of the other dodads that eat up people's money.

[Materialism]

New York is like one huge advertisement.

There is no way you can live here without buying things on a regular basis.

Everything is more expensive in New York.

[Carbro]

Originally Posted by mead

And finally there is just the regular keeping up with the Jones' which is always in hyper-drive in this area. This includes things like cars, clothes, TVs, and stuff for the apartment/house.

Sorry, but letting oneself be subject to this is always going to make a person crazy. There's always someone with a better suit, a better apartment, a cooler tv, a car -- any car. If you can't make yourself happy on your own terms, you're just cheating yourself and robbing yourself of peace of mind.

Yes, I see plenty that I envy. I say to myself, "Oh, oh! I wish I had that!" and then shrug it off.

Let it go.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by Carbro

Sorry, but letting oneself be subject to this is always going to make a person crazy. There's always someone with a better suit, a better apartment, a cooler tv, a car -- any car. If you can't make yourself happy on your own terms, you're just cheating yourself and robbing yourself of peace of mind.

Yes, I see plenty that I envy. I say to myself, "Oh, oh! I wish I had that!" and then shrug it off.

Let it go.

I couldn't agree more. I keep my eye on my goal: retiring in a little less than five years!!! Everything I buy that I really don't NEED is that much less that I can sock away for five years hence! I just keep thinking that these 'must have everything new/hip' people will be very disappointed when they want to retire early and find that they can't. But they WILL have the latest fashions/gadgets.

[_Lauren]

Originally Posted by mead

- Rent is expensive
- Utilities (Con Ed) are higher here than in other parts of the country
- Groceries cost more
- Restaurants are pricier
- Insurance of all types (especially car insurance) costs more
- Doctors/Dentists without insurance cost more
- Bars are more expensive
- Taking the subway/train costs money
- Sending your kids to private school because the public schools are bad/dangerous costs money
- Taxes are really high. In NYC there are Federal, State, AND city income taxes to pay.


And finally there is just the regular keeping up with the Jones' which is always in hyper-drive in this area. This includes things like cars, clothes, TVs, and stuff for the apartment/house.

that's the complete list. better be prepared. I've been saving to move to nyc since 16 yrs old.