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If your family has roots in NYC, it might actually cost less to stay within family roots than to venture out to other states.
There are many people living in fixed stabilize rent in NYC and are paying next to nothing. Others who are abusing the welfare system can get free rent and food better services than other cities.
My father in law rents out apts to welfare recipients all the time. The city is paying $1500-1800 a month to help relocate these families out of projects. Many of these people work in restaurants or markets and make very little but gets help from the city.
You don't need a $60k income, you can live here with $30k/yr cash income.
You can have a perfectly good life here without making $120,000 a year if you choose to live in a non-trendy neighborhood. People in the city raise families, go to school, and find decent jobs to do if they are skilled tradesman, entrepreneurs, civil servants, or have a higher education. There are tons of free and moderately priced attractions -- many more than you can find in other cities. There is the amazing diversity of people and neighborhoods that is second to none. There is, most of all, the chance for upward mobility that attracts both educated newcomers and impovershed immigrants from around the world. The streets are not paved with gold, for sure. And some will definitely fail. But the CHANCE to better yourself and your family will always make this town a magnet.
If you just want an "ordinary" life maybe NYC isn't for you. But a hell of a lot of people -- including those of us born here -- want more than that. We may not get it, but aiming high and falling short still beats a split-level in some small town no one has ever heard of.
doesnt have to be that extreme, there are nice cities that are not BFE
By average I mean everyone except rich. I might be missing someth, but unless one makes 120k+ a yr, which is actually middle class here, even in the outer boroughs and suburbs, what's the point of living here? Most people don't make that much so why are they still here? Quality of life is an arguable concept, but standard of living is not, and it is quite low around here. I can understand if you prefer NYC to other cities because of unique things it offers, BUT when you don't have much money, you can't use those amenities anyway so what's the point? I don't really understand all the people who are not stuck here due to families or what not choosing to live in such subpar living conditions. Is it because they haven't traveled around this country to see how much easier life can be or scared to leave or what? This includes NYC suburbs too, which don't really offer a way out cuz they are also overpriced and overcrowded. Bad quality of housing and small amount of new housing makes it even worse.
That's stereotypical nonsense. I do real estate and you do not need 120k to live all over this city. Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn are just a world of their own. Most of my clients don't make 120k a year and have no issues. Like one of the posters have previously said its all about managing your money. Also I'm young and like excitement, night life, diversity(hot chicks) and the sites of big cities. To be honest with you most of my favorite cities so happen to be very pricey San Fran, Boston just to name 2 right there..
Just because you can afford to live in Dump Falls, Iowa, is that a good reason to move there?
People of all incomes live in New York City because there is no other city in the United States that can provide what NYC does.
By average I mean everyone except rich. I might be missing someth, but unless one makes 120k+ a yr, which is actually middle class here, even in the outer boroughs and suburbs, what's the point of living here? Most people don't make that much so why are they still here? Quality of life is an arguable concept, but standard of living is not, and it is quite low around here. I can understand if you prefer NYC to other cities because of unique things it offers, BUT when you don't have much money, you can't use those amenities anyway so what's the point? I don't really understand all the people who are not stuck here due to families or what not choosing to live in such subpar living conditions. Is it because they haven't traveled around this country to see how much easier life can be or scared to leave or what? This includes NYC suburbs too, which don't really offer a way out cuz they are also overpriced and overcrowded. Bad quality of housing and small amount of new housing makes it even worse.
Because NYC is amazing, and I'm pretty much broke as a struggling entrepreneur. It's like a drug to me, my only drug. I can't be away for too long from NYC or I go crazy, and I appreciate it so much more when I return. This is very much the cradle of modern civilization
If I move to another city it will likely be in another country. Is I move out of NYC and stay in this country, I'm going rural.
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