survive on 55k/a at Columbia U? (Cortland, Bedford: apartments, for rent)

[Zaraki Kenpachi]

Hi:

I am thinking of applying for a postdoc-ish job at Columbia U. I believe the pay is about 55k/a.

Can one survive on this salary with the following lifestyle:

1) afford a bachelor's suite (commute from NJ 30-min each way? Are their apartments close enough for that?)? How much do I need to pay for an aprt. in NJ?

2) no car

Thanks for any response.

[omigawd]

Where in NJ do you plan on living?

[Zaraki Kenpachi]

Originally Posted by omigawd

Where in NJ do you plan on living?

Hello, omigawd. I am not very familiar w/ the NY/NJ area. I was in NYC a long time ago and don't remember much.

I am not sure where I should live.

If I want a 30-min commute max to the Columbia U. by public transit and my budget for rent is 1500/month max, where in NJ would you suggest?

Thanks!!!!

[crescent22]

It will take longer to get to Columbia from NJ than 30 min. It will take 30 min just to get to the GW Bridge bus station. You're probably looking at 50-60 min minimum door-to-door since you probably won't live right at the NJ-side bus station.

[crescent22]

You don't need to live in NJ- you can get a decent studio in Harlem for 1500 I would think- or even a 1-bed.

[itshim]

55k is fine, more than enough.

sucks to have a doc degree and to be making barely adequate wages.

[loratliff]

Originally Posted by crescent22

You don't need to live in NJ- you can get a decent studio in Harlem for 1500 I would think- or even a 1-bed.

Yeah, I agree. No need to live in Jersey when you can live in NYC and be less than 5 minutes, walking, from your work. And, if you're in Manhattan, you'll definitely be find without a car–that saves a ton of money on its own if you're moving from somewhere where you've had one.

[bluedog2]

Originally Posted by Zaraki Kenpachi

Hello, omigawd. I am not very familiar w/ the NY/NJ area. I was in NYC a long time ago and don't remember much.

I am not sure where I should live.

If I want a 30-min commute max to the Columbia U. by public transit and my budget for rent is 1500/month max, where in NJ would you suggest?

Thanks!!!!

$1,500/mo is way too much to be paying for rent on a salary of $55,00.That would be 1/2 of your monthly take home pay.
With an income of $55,000 you should not spend more than $1,200 (tops)on rent and even less would be much better.Personally,if I made $55,000 I wouldn't want to spend more than $1,000/mo on rent.

There are actually some nice neighborhoods in The Bronx where you can find a $1,000/mo apartment and be only 30minutes from Columbia on the subway. Anywhere in Brooklyn or Queens will be too far away and almost anywhere in Manhattan( except parts of Inwood) will be either too expensive or in a very iffy neighborhood or both.

I'd look in Hudson Heights,Inwood,Riverdale,Kingsbridge Heights,Van Cortlandt Village, Bedford Park or Pelham Parkway areas.

If you really want to be around Columbia or in a decent part of Manhattan you might want to consider a share situation.

[LuvLux2010]

Originally Posted by grant516

sucks to have a doc degree and to be making barely adequate wages.

yep.