Paying the Rent in New York

[VivaLFuego]

Skylife raises a worthwhile point. I mean the entire cost of living equation comes into play. In Chicago, for many professional jobs you typically make between 75%-100% of a comparable position in NYC (at least from my unscientific survey of my profession and of friends who had the option of transferring to NYC), but of course NYC's cost of living is far, far more expensive.

Even living out in the boroughs of NYC where you give up some quality-of-life by being so far from Manhattan, prices are still high that it would take forever to save for a down payment on real estate. And if you really wanted to live cheap in New York to save said money, you'll be feeling a little awkward being a 9-5 professional in a neighborhood mostly composed of poor immigrants and trust-fund artist types living off a combination of their parents money and waitress tips (that is, if you aren't simply in the ghetto).

NYC is a truly unique, incredible experience, but these prices are insanity. I'll just plan on visiting every few years.