I have a fixed income of $830 a month, and I would like to try to live in NYC or close. Should I try this?

Question

I have lived in California all of my life, but have recently lost my place, and I have no one to stay with, with the exception of a few friends' couches temporarily. I am on psychiatric disability, which pays about $830 per month. I am seriously considering flying to NYC and looking for a roommate there. I don't know if this is realistic, or if it would be risky and a waste of money for me to try. I could find someone online to possible crash on their couch temporarily there, until I found a roommate situation I could afford. I am willing to live in Brooklyn or Jersey City, as long as the area was really safe, and I could commute to NYC easily. I don't know anyone in that area, or anything about the city, besides my desire to be there. I am in a desparate situation and I don't know if it would be worth the risk and expenses to try to do this. Please be as honest and detailed as possible.

Answer 1

I would say no to moving to NYC. It is very expensive. If you budget is only $830 a month, you don't have many options anywhere. If I were you, I would try to stay in CA for at least a few more years. Try to figure out ways to make more money.

Someone else suggested you move to the midwest? On $830 a month, you can barely live there either! I lived in the "bad" side of town in Cleveland, Ohio. Rent was $400 a month & all I had was a small 1 bedroom apartment that was half runned down. Now, I live in FL & pay $570 a month (this is the cheapest rent within 3 counties!!!). I have a 1 bedroom apartment here too. Most rent here is like $700 a month for a 1 bedroom place too!

Answer 2

On your income, living within 70 miles of NYC is realistically not happening. I make twice that a month and live 50 miles from NYC and can't do it.

Unless you find a roommate on roommateclick.com or craigslist that has a nice place in Queens, you're not going to do be able to do it.

I live in Orange County = about 50 miles north of Midtown, average rent here is $1100 a month for a one bedroom. Friends of my dad's just moved from Jersey City to Queens and went from paying $2200 a month in JC to $1700 in Queens. I know property prices in CA are crazy too, but you'd be better off going somewhere like Pennsylvania or further south towards the Carolinas to get the most for your money.

Answer 3

Accomodations:
New york rentals are measured in thousands per month - not including utilities, security, or in many cases, real estate finders' fees (more of a necessity than eslewhere for a decent place).

Even with roommies, expect to pay a thousand or more for your share; anything less will probably be unsafe, or so small you and your roomies will be at each others' throats very quickly. been there, done that.

there are places outlying where there are bargains, but they are that much more distant from what we think of as "NYC."

There is a cheap commune of sorts on Staten Island; but they've recently been caught up in some kind of sex scandal.

The cheapest place, of course, is living on the street. NOT recommended. Winters are not kind if you have no roof over your head.

While one can meet people in NYC, going there without knowing a soul in a position where you will essentially be relying on luck and the kindness of strangers leaves you without any back-up resources, it seems to me.

If you do opt to come anyway (NYC is a wonderful place if you can afford it. I myself can only afford to visit once in a while nowadays), I urge you to save up several thousand first. If that sounds unreasonable, then affording NY is also likely unreasonable, I'm sorry to say.

Answer 4

No. No. No.

at your fixed income, and including expenses to get there, you'll be in the alley sooner than later. I know it's hard now, and we all have dreams of where we wat to be (me? Hawaii!)

Stay in Cali. At $830 you can find a cheap place (weekly rate hotel?) and slowly start saving your cash. I've been to NYC a few times, and my sister lives there now. It's a rough place to try to start new. You'll never find someone you can trust AND in your price range online.

Start with getting your life together where you are first. Maybe relocate a short distance away... even a small town in a neighboring state. Give the people you're crashing with a little cash. Find a dump motel. A run to NYC on a fixed income now could do a lot more harm than good...

You sound VERY intelligent. Maybe you don't need to runaway. Maybe the dream can wait. Maybe you need to breathe slow, and get to a place, both physically and spiritually, to get your head together.

All positive vibes and prayers to you!

Answer 5

I don't recommend it. Rents are high and generally don't include utilities. You'll likely be required to pay a security deposit and first and last month's rent. Even with a roommate and minimum amenities, plan on paying $500/month.

To give yourself an idea of what the rents are, check out some real estate web sites. I found one, www.sublet.com, that seeks roomates. That may give you an idea of what's available.

Answer 6

NYC, Brooklyn, and many burrows of Jersey are super expensive. You should try some place beautiful like Coeur Dalene, Idaho or a small town in the mid-West!

Answer 7

830 a month in NYC isn't going to leave much after food. It certainly isn't going to get you into anything "safe", and crashing on a stranger's couch is anything but.

Answer 8

Good luck, try queens, Brooklyn, Staten Islands.

Answer 9

with roommate youcan...$400 apartments in the ghetto of brooklyn with 4 roommates

Answer 10

forget about it