Living in NYC off $85k/year?

One of my best friends does it quite well. He has a nice 2-bedroom place here in Woodside, Queens, about 15 minutes via Subway from Manhattan. I think that he pays about US$1750 per month for what I would consider to be a "large" 2-bedroom place. I am staying here for about a month now. Woodside is not a "hipster" kind of neighborhood, but there are tons of interesting ethnic restaurants and reasonably priced grocery stores, and it's right on the 7-train.

You should look at studios in that neighborhood and I don't think your calculator is subtracting enough in taxes.

You can definitely make it in NYC on that salary but you will save nothing and never be able to purchase a home living on the uws.

I guess it depends on what you mean by decent. I spend $1100 on one bedroom in a two bedroom in morningside heights and I make less than half of what you will. I am certainly not saving money but I have no problem going to shows, eating out, etc.

But yes, if you wish to live in a spacious one bedroom in the west 70s, you're going to pay for the privilege.

Learn Spanish and move to Washington Heights, Hudson Heights, or Inwood. Inwood Park looks pretty cool.

My son shares a nice one bedroom in Hamilton heights with his fiancée. I believe their rent is a little north of $2k/mo. He makes about as much as you and I think his fiancée is in the same income bracket. It's a nice area with lots of restaurants, etc. and an easy subway ride to his job at Rockefeller Center.

Try Harlem wrote:

You should look at studios in that neighborhood and I don't think your calculator is subtracting enough in taxes.

You can definitely make it in NYC on that salary but you will save nothing and never be able to purchase a home living on the uws.

1) yes his is subtracting the right amount of taxes

2) get a roommate. I may more and only pay $500/month. Split my rent with the GF and the roommate pays the other half of 2k.

Hey guys, thanks for the responses.

I should have specified in my original post... I'm only interested in living below 90th st. I would also like to live close to Central Park (for running purposes and because I have a large dog that needs some time off leash).

Additionally, I'm 32 years old- hoping to meet a nice girl and settle down. My preference is to live without a roommate.

touting Astoria one bedroom rentals around 1500 not a lot of stuff available but it's around. Roommating for a grand or less is very possible. A good number of younger (30ish) established Astorians convert one BR to a share by moving into the LR and attracting roommates with a large BR- room sizes are 20% and more larger than big money 100 zips . 30 something girl nextdoor to me took a roomie but she spends a lot of time at her boyfriends and the roomie pretty much has the place to herself weekends. Many socialize in manhattan and it's just short subway home. Plus the nightlife is fine in Astoria with great mix of ethnic and New American restaurants bars and pubs. Not so trendy but if a joint lasts past 4 years you know it's a solid well run place with good value food. Supermarket prices are 65 to 70 percent of UES markets and astute use of sales and store affinity cards can drop it another 10-12%.

Plus roommating in most cases eliminates you having to buy the mis en place of pots pans etc. and other stuff you'd have to either ship or schlep when you move since your thinking short term of a few years.

Image is not everything

Sorry did not see your list of preferences above

by firelight on the back of a shovel in charcoal I find:

1635 weekly net you 1050 after taxes in NYC

Mathisnotyoufriend wrote:

Try Harlem wrote:

You should look at studios in that neighborhood and I don't think your calculator is subtracting enough in taxes.

You can definitely make it in NYC on that salary but you will save nothing and never be able to purchase a home living on the uws.

1) yes his is subtracting the right amount of taxes

2) get a roommate. I may more and only pay $500/month. Split my rent with the GF and the roommate pays the other half of 2k.

I had sex with your wife.

It'd be easier if you made $150k