New York too competitive? Stick w/ Chicago? (Brooklyn: college, income)

[grapico]

Hi all,

Love Chicago... (lived there) somewhat love NY... never lived.

considering relocating... but kind of feel that NYC is more of a rat race and too expensive.

I was previously making around 50K in chicago and living quite nicely in my opinion...

After some looking into many posting on this forums and asking around with other people... NYC just seems like it might be too competitive for my tastes, too "just being there just to be in the spotlight"

And although NYC might offer a lot more than Chicago per se... it isn't worth it unless you can make serious big bucks in NYC as the lifestyle quality won't be comparable.

Do other people get this feeling?

Will Chicago still be affordable for the foreseeable future?

[hamiltonra25]

Chicago will always be affordable because there wont be an influx of 6 million that will drive up the prices. So i wouldnt worry about that. I would agree with you that if you are making 50k you probably have a nice little apt or home. In NYC get ready to downgrade cause its gonna be way more expensive, at least just looking at craigslist.org postings

[grapico]

Originally Posted by hamiltonra25

Chicago will always be affordable because there wont be an influx of 6 million that will drive up the prices. So i wouldnt worry about that. I would agree with you that if you are making 50k you probably have a nice little apt or home. In NYC get ready to downgrade cause its gonna be way more expensive, at least just looking at craigslist.org postings

Yeah definitely not living crazy rich or anything, and didn't have a car... but had a nice 1br in the south loop and walked to work. I had no real complaints with money and was still able to save a good amount.

[long101]

Originally Posted by grapico

Yeah definitely not living crazy rich or anything, and didn't have a car... but had a nice 1br in the south loop and walked to work. I had no real complaints with money and was still able to save a good amount.

not having a car is a huge help imo. Im sure NYC is great and has things to offer that Chicago doesnt. However I could not see myself moving there unless Im making well into the 6 figures. I dont think you would be able to live the "NYC" life making 50-70k. Chicago is obviously much more expensive then alot of close suburbs but is not terribly overpriced...yet. Just like you said you can live a decent life making 50k

[grapico]

Originally Posted by long101

not having a car is a huge help imo. Im sure NYC is great and has things to offer that Chicago doesnt. However I could not see myself moving there unless Im making well into the 6 figures. I dont think you would be able to live the "NYC" life making 50-70k. Chicago is obviously much more expensive then alot of close suburbs but is not terribly overpriced...yet. Just like you said you can live a decent life making 50k

I agree, and after some initial thoughts and excitement towards a possible move to nyc, the cost of food, rent, etc. there compared to what I'd probably make there just isn't the case... I suppose the way many might move there though is as you said, making well into 6 figures and just take a job landing in new york... I would think it would be very hard to start there for many coming out of college (esp as my gf is about to do when we go back)

We'll have joint income though when coming back, probably around (I'm guessing 60 for me, 40 for her) both still in our late 20s. With that I think we'll be able to live pretty comfortably.

[Jwo85]

Originally Posted by grapico

Hi all,

Love Chicago... (lived there) somewhat love NY... never lived.

considering relocating... but kind of feel that NYC is more of a rat race and too expensive.

I was previously making around 50K in chicago and living quite nicely in my opinion...

After some looking into many posting on this forums and asking around with other people... NYC just seems like it might be too competitive for my tastes, too "just being there just to be in the spotlight"

And although NYC might offer a lot more than Chicago per se... it isn't worth it unless you can make serious big bucks in NYC as the lifestyle quality won't be comparable.

Do other people get this feeling?

Will Chicago still be affordable for the foreseeable future?

I heard people can live in Queens that make $40,000/year. Also heard it's easy to also live in Brooklyn, NYC

[soulful]

Bottom line is that you get so much more for your money in Chicago.

The end.

[KatieMarie10]

Originally Posted by soulful

Bottom line is that you get so much more for your money in Chicago.

The end.

I'll second that.

[Chicago South Sider]

I would have to make more than twice as much as I do now to consider a move to New York. It's just too expensive.

[Jandur]

As my friend from NYC likes to say "Chicago, 90% of what NY has to offer at half the price".