How much does it cost to live in NYC?

[geekmeat]

Im thinking about moving.........
Although I love San Francisco and make good money out here its appearant that Nyc is where I want to be.
Ive heard horror stories about how hard it is to find an apartment out there.
Im looking for something in the 1200-1700 dollar a month range.
Can someone help me?

[JohnnyWalkerBlackLabel]

few things geek
if you want to live in NYC move somewhere like Astoria, Queens
the rent is cheaper and its 10 mins from Manhattan via subway, or cab

and

you can also consider Jersey City, a few people I know have been happy commuting from there to NYC every day

[Vicki Richter]

You do realize that $1700 a month is a $260,000 house right? Or you can rent a 700sq/ft shoebox in Manhattan. Just pointing out the obvious. What does a "luxury" apartment in NYC go for and what does it consist of? Whenever I think of a "reasonable" apartment in NYC I think of Allanah's place in Transsexual Prostitutes 19 or Ricky and Lucy from "I love Lucy" or the Honeymooners. That isn't to say that is a bad thing, but it feels a little clostrophobic to me.

Geek I say you should go for it.

Vicki "I lost $250 in an hour at the casino tonight" Richter

[JohnnyWalkerBlackLabel]

lol, people pay to live here, million dollar homes being sold in Harlem
the joke is they aren't homes, they are what alot of you would call "apartments" and the have a view of the waterfront..............if you wanna call it that considering it is brown/algae green water.............
I agree with you to an extent Vicki it is ridiculous to live here compared to living other places; but hell NYC is somewhat the center of the world..........
to live here means you will most likely see something/someone you would NEVER see in ordinary USA (with the exception of little NYC aka Los Angeles)

[flabbybody]

a slice of pizza and a coke will cost you 4 bucks in Manhattan. everything is insane here. there are places in midtown that charge $15 for an apple martini.
like JWBL says, you need to live in a place like Astoria, or some other very nice neighborhood in Queens, Brooklyn, or the Bronx. Fact is, there are really very few "bad" areas in the New York area anymore. And the subway system links everything together so you're always an inexpensive and short ride away from the city.

[Ecstatic]

Here in Greater Boston (and I'm 35 miles outside the city, lol), a $260,000 house is little more than a small apartment with a spot of land, if you can even find one: maybe 2 br, 1 bath, lr, walk-in kitchen (two people barely fit), etc. Housing prices are outrageous, as they are in the Bay Area, metro NYC, and the OC. Median price for a house is about $600,000. We own a 3 br, 1.5 bath ranch with partially-finished basement which is valued at $350,000: out your way, Vicki, that would probably carry a market value of $175,000.

Apartment prices in Boston are close to those in NYC (interestingly, the last national real estate survey put Boston slightly ahead of NYC for median house costs, but behind NYC for apartments). There are very few $1200 apts in the immediate area outside Boston proper, and I wouldn't want to live in one, but you can find nice apts in the $1600-$2400 range in outlying neighborhoods like Alston/Brighton, JP, Brookline. I imagine it's even steeper in NYC for good apts. My mother-in-law has a nice one br apt on the east side (57th and 1st) with a sunken living room, rent controlled, and her rent is I think $2400. She's 85 (and may she live to 120 as they say), but the moment she vacates that apt I imagine the rent is going to at least double. Our mortgage is only $1800.

[Quinn]

Geek,

Best move I ever made. Take a chance, you won't regret it.

-Quinn

[dajuicy]

there is no place on earth like it....i dont care where you been and how experienced you are...but it aint for everybody....you got to WANT IT, to put up with all the bullshit....and just forget manhattan unless you are makeing serious cake....my advice, take a little investigative tour, 3 weeks here, ride the trains..speically the ones that take you over ground to the bronx and bkyln, take in a yankee game, see the bronx, ride the cyclone in coney island....see a hot tranny in brooklyn. or queens...(more bang for your buck!)...YOU NEED TO..... and then treat yourself to the best slice in the world at Ray's...and by then, you should have some idea if this town is for you...

[flabbybody]

good point about Ray's. What passes for pizza in other parts of the country is very shocking.
And why can't you get bagals outside of NY? they say it's the water, but I'm not sure.

[blckhaze]

definitely agree w/ dajuicy. spend like 2-3 weeks here exploring the other boroughs. Manhattan is the center, but there is so much more all around. Plus you may be able to find an apartment for cheaper than your looking for with all the space you want. Everything is connected by train and bus here, making traveling on the weekends cheap if you have the patients to deal with the dumb people( we have alot of them here :) )

[castabyss]

Answer to the orginal question is: Too Much. But it's worth it for the female scenery if you're single. It's like a Calvin Klein runway show here 24 hours a day.

[AllanahStarrNYC]

Well Manhattan is an amazing place to live if you can and like the lifestyle.
it is probably the ONLY US city that I would live in, because is extremely convinient-and of course it s a fabulous city.

I think that NYC is definately more expensive than SF-as far as property is concerened. I am talking about Manhattan here bot the other boroughs.

You can find an apartment in the price ranges you listed- you may can probably get a one bedroom for 1600-1700. Rents have actually gone down since 9/11, though property prices have not. I remember when I fist came to NYC you coukd nto get a studio for less than $1400 and a one bedroom for less than $2000 and if you wanted someone you had to act on it FAST, cause it was gone the next day. Yes, it is very hard sometimes to find an apt. here, and I suggest you take your time because there are alot of over priced dumps and show boxes.

I have seen apts. where in Manhatan

Where there were no windows-
No Closets-
Once I saw one you had to climb over the toilet to get in the shower-
Etc...

Of course the flip side is that there are AMAZING apartments here as well.

If you are looking at a luxury or full service building- a studio is about $2,000 and one bedroom $3,000. And it can go very high- I saw an ad for the last trump building on the east side where the two bedrooms were going for $12,000 a month.

Though of ocurse not the most expensive city in the world, Tokyo and London have us beat, I would say it is the most expensive city to live in the US.

[geekmeat]

Well Manhattan is an amazing place to live if you can and like the lifestyle.
it is probably the ONLY US city that I would live in, because is extremely convinient-and of course it s a fabulous city.

I think that NYC is definately more expensive than SF-as far as property is concerened. I am talking about Manhattan here bot the other boroughs.

You can find an apartment in the price ranges you listed- you may can probably get a one bedroom for 1600-1700. Rents have actually gone down since 9/11, though property prices have not. I remember when I fist came to NYC you coukd nto get a studio for less than $1400 and a one bedroom for less than $2000 and if you wanted someone you had to act on it FAST, cause it was gone the next day. Yes, it is very hard sometimes to find an apt. here, and I suggest you take your time because there are alot of over priced dumps and show boxes.

I have seen apts. where in Manhatan

Where there were no windows-
No Closets-
Once I saw one you had to climb over the toilet to get in the shower-
Etc...

Of course the flip side is that there are AMAZING apartments here as well.

If you are looking at a luxury or full service building- a studio is about $2,000 and one bedroom $3,000. And it can go very high- I saw an ad for the last trump building on the east side where the two bedrooms were going for $12,000 a month.

Though of ocurse not the most expensive city in the world, Tokyo and London have us beat, I would say it is the most expensive city to live in the US.


Can I come live with you?
he he!
Just kidding...........
I really love San Francisco and wish that had more of the new york culture out here.
Everything is so hippie orientated.........
Another factor that would discourage me is that theres not a lot of work out there for me........I am in the biotech industry..........out here its amazing.
Ive been to Manhatten before in like 1989 and was amazed at how big it is......how rude the cab drivers are and how many amazing model like women you see just walking down the street.

[geekmeat]

Well Manhattan is an amazing place to live if you can and like the lifestyle.
it is probably the ONLY US city that I would live in, because is extremely convinient-and of course it s a fabulous city.

I think that NYC is definately more expensive than SF-as far as property is concerened. I am talking about Manhattan here bot the other boroughs.

You can find an apartment in the price ranges you listed- you may can probably get a one bedroom for 1600-1700. Rents have actually gone down since 9/11, though property prices have not. I remember when I fist came to NYC you coukd nto get a studio for less than $1400 and a one bedroom for less than $2000 and if you wanted someone you had to act on it FAST, cause it was gone the next day. Yes, it is very hard sometimes to find an apt. here, and I suggest you take your time because there are alot of over priced dumps and show boxes.

I have seen apts. where in Manhatan

Where there were no windows-
No Closets-
Once I saw one you had to climb over the toilet to get in the shower-
Etc...

Of course the flip side is that there are AMAZING apartments here as well.

If you are looking at a luxury or full service building- a studio is about $2,000 and one bedroom $3,000. And it can go very high- I saw an ad for the last trump building on the east side where the two bedrooms were going for $12,000 a month.

Though of ocurse not the most expensive city in the world, Tokyo and London have us beat, I would say it is the most expensive city to live in the US.


Can I come live with you?
he he!
Just kidding...........
I really love San Francisco and wish that had more of the new york culture out here.
Everything is so hippie orientated.........
Another factor that would discourage me is that theres not a lot of work out there for me........I am in the biotech industry..........out here its amazing.
Ive been to Manhatten before in like 1989 and was amazed at how big it is......how rude the cab drivers are and how many amazing model like women you see just walking down the street.

[Bigguy]

I was thinking about getting a place in Manhattan if I ever win the powerball lottery. Ahhh, dreams...

[NYCe]

Saw an apartment in the Lower East Side with no toilet. $1,400 a month. If you wanted to use the bathroom, you had to go in the hallway and use the community toilet.

The kicker? That apartment has 4 people waiting on it to become vacant.

[Ecstatic]

Can I come live with you?
he he!
Just kidding...........
I really love San Francisco and wish that had more of the new york culture out here.
Everything is so hippie orientated.........
Another factor that would discourage me is that theres not a lot of work out there for me........I am in the biotech industry..........out here its amazing.
Ive been to Manhatten before in like 1989 and was amazed at how big it is......how rude the cab drivers are and how many amazing model like women you see just walking down the street.
If you want to be near NYC (3-4 hour drive time), Boston has a booming biotech industry.

[AllanahStarrNYC]

Boston is actually a nice city as well and relatively close.

Sorry Geek, my apt is full with my children Brigitte, Kaya, and my new stepchild Remi- and my lady in waiting, Tommy, who spends most of his time now @ my apartment assisting me.

[Vicki Richter]

It sounds like you would need to make $200k in order to maintain a lifestyle comparable to $80-100k here in AZ or in some other areas along the west coast. I mean my sister bought a new 5000 sq/ft house (big enough that it was required by law to have a fire sprinkler system installed) and paid $350k just like 5-6 years ago. Sure the house is worth about $600k now, but 5,000 sq ft in NYC would cost way over a million I am sure. My house is 1800 sq/ft 4 bedroom and I paid like $160k for it (new construction). I mean sure the new ones they are building cost like $265k for comparable size, but I mean come on... If I have a guest, I don't have to have them sleep on the couch and I don't keep my computer stuff in my bedroom. I had my two 8 ft aquariums and my computer stuff in a 850 sq ft 1 bedroom apartment in Northern Cali and I hated coming home.

Taxis are a pain in the ass. I remember Joanna and I spending 30+ minutes in Manhattan trying to find one. If you are going anywhere to or from Manhattan expect to pay $50. Maybe internally it isn't so bad.
I guess it all depends on what people want. I wanted a nice quiet convenient "spacey" suburban lifestyle. I wanted to be able to have a swimming pool. I guess seeing hot model looking girls and having access to the largest pool of trannies on the right coast is worth something. Hmmm... I just thought of something... Has anyone else noticed that wherever the most transsexuals are it increases the property value?

I know it's a lifestyle thing and I totally respect that. NYC has more culture in 1 sq/mile than Phoenix metro has all together. There is a lot to be said for that.

V

[hillbilly]

so here is my lowdown.

although living in manhattan would be great most everyone i know that does still lives hand to mouth even though they make 6 figures or more. that partly being their own fault and the general costs.

consider your options and consider that most of the population of NYC lives outside of manhattan.

i for one use to live in bklyn (5yrs) and now live in jersey city (10 yrs). which i affectionately call the 6th borough. rents are lower in bklyn or jersey city and you will get a bit more space.

that being said i have heard that prices have gone down on the upper east side of manahattan because so many people have moved to bklyn.

so shop arround but i imagine for your price range you'll find something most likely in bklyn or queens or even jersey city.

unfortunately as far as buy goes you better show up with at least 100k in cash and very steady income. taxes are incredible in NYC.

[TomSelis]

Hillbilly, keep Jersey a secret!!! We don't need more people moving here than there already are! The turnpike and it's rank smell is our best defense!

[Vicki Richter]

Although I was born in So Cali, I lived in New Brunswick, New Jersey for several months as a kid. I don't think the bad smell and constant smoggy haze is much of a secret.

[TomSelis]

LMAO@New Brunswick

[Ecstatic]

It sounds like you would need to make $200k in order to maintain a lifestyle comparable to $80-100k here in AZ or in some other areas along the west coast. I mean my sister bought a new 5000 sq/ft house (big enough that it was required by law to have a fire sprinkler system installed) and paid $350k just like 5-6 years ago. Sure the house is worth about $600k now, but 5,000 sq ft in NYC would cost way over a million I am sure. My house is 1800 sq/ft 4 bedroom and I paid like $160k for it (new construction). I mean sure the new ones they are building cost like $265k for comparable size, but I mean come on... If I have a guest, I don't have to have them sleep on the couch and I don't keep my computer stuff in my bedroom. I had my two 8 ft aquariums and my computer stuff in a 850 sq ft 1 bedroom apartment in Northern Cali and I hated coming home.
Vicki, I hear you, I lived in Tucson for a year (many, many moons ago, when it was half the size it is now) and my wife and I want to retire in the southwest (pref. New Mexico), for the lower cost of living and housing and the climate (though I'll miss the forests of the northeast). But that 5,000 sq ft house in NYC would likely cost more like two million than one. If you count the large finished room in our basement, my ranch is about the same size as yours (but no garage): 1400 sq ft above grade. We bought in 1999 for 175, now valued at over 350. Move the property 10 miles east and the value would run over 500. It's crazy, yet according to the latest charts measuring the degree of over/under valuation of the top 250 cities in the US, Boston is only 31% overvalued and NYC only 25% overvalued. But most CA areas (excepting, interestingly, SF) are considered to be 60% or more overvalued.


Hmmm... I just thought of something... Has anyone else noticed that wherever the most transsexuals are it increases the property value?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

I know it's a lifestyle thing and I totally respect that. NYC has more culture in 1 sq/mile than Phoenix metro has all together. There is a lot to be said for that.

VHere in the northeast there's an expression: there ain't no culture west of the Hudson River or south of Long Island Sound. :P

[AllanahStarrNYC]

darling- the average price per square foot in manhattan is $100- or above.

a one thoussand squre foot apt. is going to cost a million or so.

when you get into 5,000 sq, fett- you are talking in 15 million or so- depending on the area. but those are usually town homes.

[Man Fuck It]

darling- the average price per square foot in manhattan is $100- or above.

a one thoussand squre foot apt. is going to cost a million or so.

when you get into 5,000 sq, fett- you are talking in 15 million or so- depending on the area. but those are usually town homes.


i'd rather pay $500 a night to stay at the ritz...15 mill for 5k sq. ft is just damn bananas...you would really have to cross your fingers and hope your property appreciates in that scale.

[AllanahStarrNYC]

and about the cabs-
these are little things u learn when u are seasonsed after living here

u will never get a cab during rush our because they all change their shifts
and sometimes on sat. it is difficult- depending ont he area
be vigillant people people love to steal your cabs

but where i live i never have s peovlem getting a cab
of ocurse there is the subway system, when in a pinch

[El_hefe]

In reality, moving to New York City is often based on other factors than money, like definitively changing the direction of one's life, chasing a dream or notion, for those who do it cold. Of course, the desperate immigrant from Puebla as well as the wannabe Master of The Universe from Yale come for money, but deeper than that is their dream, the Big Time, however defined. They could each make a living in Pittsburg, Des Moines or Phoenix, but NYC is a total different order of magnitude: everything will change, be bigger, worse, more intense. There are no American cities that compare to it in class, it's class is London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo and, arguably, Hong Kong. That's it.
It is definitely not for most people, & even those people that come here after a while plan their escape to the burbs, esp. if there are children in the situation. As stated, living in Manhattan is not feasible without roommates for most people on a middle class or less income without a breath taking reduction in living arrangements. But I think there is nothing like it if you have the desire to be here. And living just over on the other sides of the water will help with the $ situation. Really no place like it.

[Caleigh]

I have a nice 3BR apt. in one of the best sections of Brooklyn for $1500 a month (which I share with my gf). There is so much stuff in this neighborhood I only bother going to Manhattan once every couple of weeks.

[goldtop]

is anyone familiar with property prices on the lower east side around Rivington ? I have to relocate to NY in 18 months and am curious as to prices. Rent just confuses me so purchase prices would seem help me more. any links to realtors would also be much appreciated.

[Lafuerza]

How about crime? How does a newcomer get to know which neighbourhoods should be avoided?

[Quinn]

NYC has been rated as the safest big city in the U.S. for a number of years now. So long as you use common sense and carry yourself correctly, you'll be safe in all but a few neighborhoods.

[AllanahStarrNYC]

as far as riventon- that area is becoming very expensive as well

since they built the hotel riventon and upscale restaurants in that area- the area is wuite trendy

still better deals than lets say east or west village but going up in prices

the city is VERY safe

i have never had a problem- knock on wood- walking around at all times of night

that is one good thign guilliani did