150k is perfectly liveable in NYC, even in Manhattan heart. It’s probably not feasible to have a three bedroom apt in Manhattan on that budget but it’s very doable in the less hot parts of Queens, Brooklyn and Bronx. If you think of moving to Long Island, you can even rent a house with a yard.

You will probably need a partners income if you want to live in a unit where you can raise a child, and will need significantly more for the both of you to raise multiple children.