Living in New York?

Question

Hey
I got replies for my last answer about how much you should earn to live in NY.I got answers like 100,000 and everything.Apart from the rent what is other expenses you think i should take into account.How do actors and entertainers survive in NY

Answer 1

Everyone totally overreacts about the cost of living in NYC. I've lived in three other cities (cheap, middle-of-nowhere cities), and I've found the cost to relatively be the same wherever. Some things here (like food, transportation, and certain services) are much cheaper here because there is more competition I suppose... and the transportation because you don't need to have the expense of having a car.

Also, you CAN find decent rent, but you have to be willing to make certain sacrifices... particularly the amount of space you are willing to live in and the amount of privacy you are willing to not have.

Lots of starving artists make it just fine here. The jobs pay much better than anywhere else, so the amount you make offsets whatever greater costs there are.

If you are willing to slum it, then you can totally do it on the cheap, no problem. But, if you are looking to have a nice place in which to raise a family and so forth, then you would definitely have to make a LARGE amount of money a year, and I think that's what most people mean when they talk about how expensive NYC is.

I know many people who are making $30,000 or less and living in nice neighborhoods in Manhattan with decent space. They also have enough money to go out and do things.

Answer 2

I lived quite comfortably in NYC making around 30K/year in 2005 - adjusted to todays dollar that would be around 21K. Yes, you either need to find roommates or a really cheap place or both, and yes you can't eat every meal in a pricey restaurant but it is possible and the longer you live there the better you will get at finding bargains. I travel to new york often and still have friends who live there and not all of them make six-figure salaries! If you are frugal you can really stretch a dollar even in New York. For example, there's a sushi restaurant on Greenwich Ave. that offers great deals on "off" nights (Mon.-Wed.) Tuesday is "all you can eat" night - from a limited menu of course - but you can still fill up for not alot of money.

Answer 3

If you need an apartment, check out: www.apartmentsource.com People referred me to that, and they have good listings that aren't just ridiculous. Also, there is a site around here somewhere that lists the restaurants that are good deals. For example, go after 5 PM to Jimmy's Gelato, and you can get pints and quarts half price. Gelato is GREAT, by the way.

Answer 4

craigslist. craigslist. craigslist.

live with a few rommates or in the boroughs it will be cheaper.
i know people who barely make 20 grand a year and they do just fine.
if you're smart, you buy cheap groceries and make your food.
figure out where all the good happy hour 2 for 1's are and drink for half price.

you just have to look hard. and don't be scared.

Answer 5

Get yourself a job with flexible hours so you can attend auditions. Look to craigslist for jobs, auditions, free furniture, etc.

Answer 6

aside from rent, and food is a little more, many things are cheap.
People survive on other jobs. eg waiters, etc.

Answer 7

they don't, you normal see them doing their mims routines in central park - hehehe

Answer 8

you be ok