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Hello,
I was recently offered a federal government job in NYC. Im in my early 30s, from a small midwestern town and Im jobless. Ive been wanting to work for the feds for a long time and I think this would be a great opportunity for me. I have no kids or significant other so it would just be me, my dog, and my cat. The first year I'll be making $53000, the 2nd year $64000, third year $77000. Also, after 2 years I'll be eligible to transfer to another city. So, considering the cost of living...Im not sure if it is worth it to move to NYC and I really need advice. Im ok with having a room mate. I have no kids so I dont care about schools. Im not worried about being in a trendy area with lots of nightlife....I like to go out for a couple drinks 1 or 2 days a week but thats about it. I think I could afford rent from $1000 to $1300 a month. I have a car that I would like to bring with me but im ok with not bringing it. I would also consider picking up an evening/weekend part time job for extra spending money. Im female so Im looking for something fairly safe. My job would be located somewhere in Manhattan. I would be ok with up to a 40 minute subway commute (at the most). My intentions would be to live in NYC for a couple years and then move to a city where the cost of living is cheaper. Any suggestions on neighborhoods or anything else is appreciated. Thanks!
If you want to live alone, you could definitely get a large studio apt. for approx. $1000 a month in Rego Park in Queens which is about a 40 min. commute by subway from Midtown Manhattan and is definitely a safe neighborhood for a female to live alone in.
With a roomate, you could afford to live in a small 2 br apt in Manhattan, or a bigger 2 br apt in Queens, Brooklyn, or the Bronx. Just depends on where your office is and where you want to live. Keep in mind with subway transfers, living on the Upper West Side and working in the Financial District (both in Manhattan) can be over a 45 minute commute.
$50k is basically the minimum threshold I think you need to make to live a good life (ie, can afford to eat a nice dinner out a few times a month and take a summer vacation) with a roomate in Manhattan. Without a roomate, that threshold rises to $75-80k or so.
I would do it! I think living in NYC is a wonderful experience, and it also looks great on a resume if you want to move to the south, midwest, etc in a few years.
I would say go for it- you dont have to live in manhattan- there are alot of really nice areas in queens for example i would check out: bayside, Whitestone, little neck, douglaston, fresh meadows- all those areas you would be able to bring your car and have parking-All those areas are safe, affordable and good areas-I would also suggest maybe looking in LI to live and taking the lirr into work, You have alot of options- starting salary of 53g is doable, your money will go further if you lived outside of manhattan- start the ball rolling I say go for it!
09-24-2010, 12:16 PM
grant516
n/a posts
If you transfer later do you keep your salary? ... that would be a perk, but in any event to go from Jobless- to job, is usually a perk. Might as well go for it.
If you transfer later do you keep your salary? ... that would be a perk, but in any event to go from Jobless- to job, is usually a perk. Might as well go for it.
It depends on where I transfer to....i think at the most it would decrease by a few thousands dollars (depends on the cost of living of where I move to) for example if I moved to DC during the 3rd year my $77000 NYC salary would decrease to $74000 and if I moved to ATL it would decrease to around $72000.
GO FOR It, Your salary can cover it $50-60k is the average for a single nyc resident to live comfortably. or you can try the "gentrified" areas of Brooklyn and Queens, meet new friends from out of town much like yourself
Thanks everyone...I accepted the position and I start at the end of October!!!
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