Location location location. I would pay $3500 if it meant I could live in NYC. (I'd rather pay less, of course)

Priorities I guess. I would feel pretty stupid paying that money to live in a shoe box, wherever it might be located.

It’s a different lifestyle entirely. NYC has a million things to do - you aren’t spending your nights sitting at home watching Netflix.

> you aren’t spending your nights sitting at home watching Netflix

You are though, most nights too, because there might be a million options but a normal person needs to rest and recharge at home a lot of the time.

I imagine disposable income is needed for some of those activities as well. Paying 3k for rent probably limits your options.

> Paying 3k for rent probably limits your options

It’s around $2k after adjusting for not having to own a car [1]. Also, a solo studio is a luxurious way to live in New York. If you’re economising, you get roommates.

[1] https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/analysis/costs-of-c....

I’m blown away at that stat. Averaged over ten years I’ve paid less than half that for two cars. My cars are crap, but wow is that high.

Edit: averaged over ten years and a week my numbers will look different, as my car was stolen this morning.

This is similar to the stats about Manhattan apartments though. Normal people aren’t paying 3k/mo to live in Manhattan. The 3k/mo people are the same ones that would be spending 1k/mo on their cars if they lived somewhere else

> […] numbers will look different, as my car was stolen this morning.

Recognizing the limitations of an Internet comment, I’m sincerely sorry you need to deal with the headache of a stolen vehicle.

> It’s around $2k after adjusting for not having to own a car

You didn't add in the cost of taxis and trains.

> Also, a solo studio is a luxurious way to live in New York

A cramped crappy apartment with no bedroom is not luxurious just because it's more expensive than a crappier shared apartment with no bedroom.

> didn't add in the cost of taxis and trains

Sure, add back $200/month. It’s still night and day to owning a private car.

> cramped crappy apartment with no bedroom is not luxurious just because it's more expensive than a crappier shared apartment with no bedroom

I mean, my friend’s $5mm new build skipped on radiant heating. (And the marble was cut mid seam!) Clearly not luxury, eh?

In this case, the cost premium is prima facie evidence of private living conditions’ luxury.

Depending on where you live, you can get around in NYC just by using the subway for ~$100/month, and it's subsidized by most employers.

If you are doing that most nights (and I mean with zero other activities planned), then you’re better off living somewhere else, yes.

But, can't you commute to all those places from half an hour away?

Ok, you do that. I’d rather slit my wrists lol

What about 10-15 min, just one wrist?

Mental health engineering right there

When you live in Manhattan, you don’t live in your apartment. You sleep in your apartment.

It does mean that. Do you live in NYC?

It makes sense if you a) earn a decent amount of money b) want to live in Manhattan for all the entertainment options etc. c) only need space for a bed because you only ever eat out and don't spend much time at home.

How is that healthy?

Suburbs lead to loneliness.

Also, less abstractly people living in car-centric places drive everywhere. If you live in a walkable place you walk to do most of your errands so you get exercise without even trying to.

> How is that healthy?

New Yorkers live longer than suburban Americans. One can have many complaints about a modern urban lifestyle, but health isn’t one of them.

"eating out" in New York does not mean going through a McDonalds drive through, like it does in most of the US.

Ambition and work. Law firms, financial companies, media... people are starting low and working their way up, with starting salaries easily in the lower 100K range. You live close to work because you work 12 hour days. It's worth paying 1K more so you don't have a 1 hour commute to Flatbush or East New York, where your Seamless options and friends are limited.

There's more at stake than apt size and rent in a city where you spend most of your time not in the apt. This changes as you age.