You need $100K+ a year for a solid middle class lifestyle

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by Escort Rider

I didn't realize apartment rentals were that reasonable in New York City. Is what you get for $1500 a month pretty small (cramped) and minimal? That's what we would pay in many parts of Los Angeles for a nice two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in a reasonably safe but not upscale neighborhood. How about all the horror stories about housing in NYC? Urban legends? Very interesting post.

my friend paid $800/month for a tiny studio apartment with basically a kitcheonette and a bathroom - that was in alphabet city in manhattan. 2br/2ba in long island city or queens or brooklyn could be had for less than $3,000/month. so if you're going at it alone, you basically either get a studio, or pair up with a roomate and get a 2 bedroom. manhattan itself is quite pricey for rentals, but there are parts that are cheaper than others.

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by NJBest

$50k is by no means middle class in high COL areas.

are we talking "household" income for 2, or a single income? i think $50,000 in middle class in NYC.

[hml1976]

My husband and I lived just fine on a combined 45K (yikes!) 10-15 years ago in NYC in the middle of the dot com boom. We lived in a rent stabilized apt in Brooklyn for $785 total a month, no car payments and we didn't have any debt. No, it wasn't a great neighborhood but we didn't care, we were 10min from Manhattan by subway. Not a lifestyle I'd want forever but we went out most every night and I only entered the grocery store two or three times a year.