California VS New York-Expensive?

Question

Both California and New york are Expensive-What do you think

In California especially the bay area-A NICE Stuido apt would cost 1100-1200$,You can find a deal on craigslist for $750-$800.+ you need a car to get around thats easily atleast $100 a mont-that is if you buy an old car-money down.-So youre spedning MINIMUM-$900

In New York you can find a cheap apartment in queens,brooklyn-studio for $900-$1000.But you dont need a car-you just need a $70 bus pass that will get you unlimited rides on the bus and the subway.

So what do you think???.
New york is really not that expensive compared to Califronia.But it is expensive from someone moving from say Kansas,Vegas.But people moving from California shouldnt find NYC Expensive-Right?
What do you think???

Answer 1

If you are talking about the entire states (CA vs NY), then the answer is a bit harder to get.

In NY, there is a big range of rental rates depending on where in NY. It's true that NYC/Manhattan area is expensive (at least $1000/mo for a very small studio), but if you go upstate to Buffalo, Rochester, or Albany, the rent for a 2 bedroom apartment was as cheap as $500/mo. Granted the public transport in NYC/Manhattan is better than upstate NY, or anywhere in CA. I lived in upstate NY for 3 years, and then in Manhattan for 4 years, so I know these rental prices.

I am now in California, and it is the same range of rental rates. In San Francisco, a small studio can go for $1100/mo, but you go a 1 hour north in Vallejo, and you can get a 2 bedroom for $600-800/mo. The Bay Area has BART (train system), but the service is not as all-encompassing as the NYC system. Los Angeles is a bit cheaper than SF or NYC, but it's one of those cities where you either love it or hate it (I love it). You have to drive if you are in LA.

Answer 2

Actually I believe that San Francisco has a higher cost of living (higher rents) than NYC... and it's been that way for a while. You should be able to find studios in NYC for 750-800, definitely if you are looking around Queens or Brooklyn. If you are finding things that are 900-1000, that is too much... you can find that in Manhattan.

NYC let's you not have a car, which with gas being close to $4 a gallon in california, is a ridiculous expense. I'd definitely say that NY is cheaper!

Answer 3

it's not just the rent that gets expensive in NY. btw, i would check your figures on finding a studio for $900 - $1000 in brooklyn or queens. maybe if you are deep deep in those suburbs and a crappy, not very clean building, yes you can find space that cheap.

manhattan, on the other hand is a completely different story. the average price for a studio in a doorman building is approaching $2300 and in a non doorman building still close to $1800. and that's just the cost of living. Food and Drinks in general is also more expensive in NYC as well. not unheard of to pay $9 for a beer and $12 for a cocktail, but there are cheaper places as well.

Answer 4

I don't know why everyone is under the impression that California is any more or less laid back and "zen" than New York. Have you ever driven in the L.A. area? Or San Diego? Or San Francisco? It's not a very zen experience in ANY way, shape or form. That, and about half of the population is so uptight about their health and "horrible" habits, like smoking (even though they have no problem with drinking their livers away on Sunset in LA or the gaslight district in San Diego), and the other half of the population's weight suffers from horrible transportation systems (except San Francisco - they have awesome transport, but you're moving to Burbank, where public transportation is virtually non-existent). Contrary to popular belief, I find Californians to be far from laid back - just because a bunch of hippies went there 35 years ago doens't mean it's reflective of the state's overall attitude today. Go to New York. It's really kick *** here. Your child will have a better experience at the schools, with independence, and with individuality. A lot of the answerers commented that the education system in the CA is subpar compared to New York - I haven't any idea how good the primary or secondary education system is, but, as a current graduate student, the University of California system is actually excellent - but as an undergraduate from the State University of New York system, I can personally attest to its excellence, as well. However, you have 8 or so more years to worry about that for your kid. If you plan to live IN the five boroughs (go with Brooklyn or Queens - for the safety and sanity of you and your daughter), make sure that she goes to a private school, honestly - I went to Midwood High School in Brooklyn, and though I was one of the lucky few to make it to a good university here, I can't really say the same for most of my fellow graduates (well, those that actually graduated). But, she will be presented with a variety of diverse and educated classmates no matter where she goes - and she'll learn a lot. 45% of Brooklyn residents have a BA degree or above, 62% have traveled overseas (i.e., outside of Canada and Mexico), and 22% have children attending one of the three honor high schools (Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science) - we actually have the highest resident attendance of these schools than any other borough. Look into the areas of Midwood, Brighton Beach, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Park Slope, or Carroll Gardens - these neighborhoods all offer family friendly, child friendly atmospheres. And, aside from Brighton Beach (where I grew up), they all have very good high schools (my mom lied about my address so I could attend Midwood High in Midwood rather than John Dewey in Coney Island - YUK). So, after a rather long entry (sorry, but I love my city!), I would suggest New York - your creative career will have a much better chance to blossom than in Burbank, and your child will also have much better opportunities. I've visited California, driven up the entire state, and have some friends and family there, and they all not only prefer New York (but don't want to transfer in the middle of graduate study), but will be moving back ASAP after graduation (my small number of family members who live there just moved there from Russia not knowing any better, lol). Good luck with your career and I hope you make the right choice!

Answer 5

I never been to cali,only as far west as Arizona,but new york is ridiculous..I remember I was living in the ghetto in Brooklyn and was payin' $500.00 a month 4 a roach infested studio that I had to share a bathroom and kitchen with the rest of the tenants on my floor!I was there 4 1 month and moved upstate to Albany and got a 1 bedroom w/backyard $600.00 a month.

Answer 6

I don't know where you got your information from, but if you could get an apartment in NYC, regardless if it's Queens or Brooklyn for $900 - $1,000, please let me know, that would be a dream come true. I saw an apartment for rent sign last week in the Bowery, in Manhattan, nothing out of this world, the rent went for $3,168 and up. I couldn't believe it.

Answer 7

hi
just came back from SF, and i think NY is still expensive just as CA is. u right about transportation, in NYC its easier not to have a car. i think rent wise, depends where u live, and how much u make. but for someone coming from CA shouldnt feel $$$ at all.

Answer 8

California has more options than the Bay Area. There are actually areas near LA that are WAAAAAY cheaper than the prices you stated.

Answer 9

Oh no, NYC is the most expensive place in the United States.

You can read up Forbes.com for the ranking.

NYC might be overrated for its expensiveness, but it is true.

Answer 10

They are both expensive so i doesn't matter. Just make sure that you have a good job