Morningside Heights? Can I live there on $170,000 annually? (New York, York: apartment, luxury)

[the_whimsical1]

Greetings all, I am a member of the US Government's senior executive service and am considering taking a job in Manhattan, based in Morningside heights. My salary is $170,000 a year. While in the rest of the country that seems like a pretty good salary, when I enter it into the New York City salary calculators it comes out as like half that in terms of cost of living. I am not used to luxury. I am married, my children are grown up, and my wife and I would probably like a nice two bedroom apartment in a relatively nice area of the city. We could probably do without a car if that's too expensive and complicated. I can't believe I am writing this question, but given what I've read on line I feel compelled to ask: can a couple in their late forties, without kids, live okay in New York City, the Upper West Side, for 170,000 a year?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I hope this doesn't sound too clueless a question.

[WithDisp]

Yeah, you can.

[WhyRUMad]

Originally Posted by the_whimsical1

Greetings all, I am a member of the US Government's senior executive service and am considering taking a job in Manhattan, based in Morningside heights. My salary is $170,000 a year. While in the rest of the country that seems like a pretty good salary, when I enter it into the New York City salary calculators it comes out as like half that in terms of cost of living. I am not used to luxury. I am married, my children are grown up, and my wife and I would probably like a nice two bedroom apartment in a relatively nice area of the city. We could probably do without a car if that's too expensive and complicated. I can't believe I am writing this question, but given what I've read on line I feel compelled to ask: can a couple in their late forties, without kids, live okay in New York City, the Upper West Side, for 170,000 a year?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I hope this doesn't sound too clueless a question.

Hey! I'm also a fed although younger than you ad in the gs13 range. Welcome to the city. My GF and I make a combined income of just over what you make and live a very nice life in uptown Manhattan. You will do just fine.

My only advice is to ditch the car. You'll never use it!

I work down in 26 Federal Plaza.

I'd be happy to answer any of you questions!

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by the_whimsical1

Greetings all, I am a member of the US Government's senior executive service and am considering taking a job in Manhattan, based in Morningside heights. My salary is $170,000 a year. While in the rest of the country that seems like a pretty good salary, when I enter it into the New York City salary calculators it comes out as like half that in terms of cost of living. I am not used to luxury. I am married, my children are grown up, and my wife and I would probably like a nice two bedroom apartment in a relatively nice area of the city. We could probably do without a car if that's too expensive and complicated. I can't believe I am writing this question, but given what I've read on line I feel compelled to ask: can a couple in their late forties, without kids, live okay in New York City, the Upper West Side, for 170,000 a year?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I hope this doesn't sound too clueless a question.

Didn't you already ask this question in another thread?

[fmatthew5876]

170k and no kids is more than enough for Morning Side Heights.

[PDF]

This must be a joke. You'd be able to live so damn well on that salary in Morningside Heights.

[MisterStereoman]

You'll need at least $171,500 for Morningside.

[the_whimsical1]

Thanks to all who answered this. You as New Yorkers have a much better perspective. I googled "cost of living New York" and read horror stories.. and my biggest concern is the cost of housing. They estimate New York city housing costs like 200 percent more than housing outside New York. It looks to me that the cost of an apartment alone -- say, two bedrooms and one and a half baths -- is like 3,000 dollars. That seems a lot to me, particularly when you add heat, cable, water, tax, etc. And if housing is so expensive, doesn't that mean that food will be twice as expensive as well? I've also read that salaries in New York are much higher than in the rest of the country -- and mine won't be higher for living in New York. I am very grateful for the tip on ditching the car. I imagine garages are very expensive in Manhattan. Thanks again for the good advice.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by the_whimsical1

Greetings all, I am a member of the US Government's senior executive service and am considering taking a job in Manhattan, based in Morningside heights. My salary is $170,000 a year. While in the rest of the country that seems like a pretty good salary, when I enter it into the New York City salary calculators it comes out as like half that in terms of cost of living. I am not used to luxury. I am married, my children are grown up, and my wife and I would probably like a nice two bedroom apartment in a relatively nice area of the city. We could probably do without a car if that's too expensive and complicated. I can't believe I am writing this question, but given what I've read on line I feel compelled to ask: can a couple in their late forties, without kids, live okay in New York City, the Upper West Side, for 170,000 a year?

Thanks for any advice you can give me. I hope this doesn't sound too clueless a question.

YES,

You can do even better if you branch out and look in other parts of Manhattan or one of the other boroughs. You will be fine sir. I would suggest forgoing the car, unless you absolutely need one.

[Mr. Ryu]

Originally Posted by MisterStereoman

You'll need at least $171,500 for Morningside.

I beg to differ. Based on my calculations, you'll need at least $171,600 for Morningside..