Living in NYC isn't too bad compared to other big cities, unless you only think of NYC as Manhattan. The other boroughs offer cheaper (and safe) rent as long as you are willing to search a bit.
This is an important distinction. NYC != Manhattan. There are 4 other boroughs to explore and in post-9/11 NYC I find the outer boroughs are simply more interesting. Manhattan has become this caricature of its former self which I frankly find to be boring.
Another note (somewhat unrelated to your comment). I am 23 so I consider most of the cases to be my peers (although I have a job). I'm in a living situation similar to the people featured in this article. I have three roommates and I pay less than 600 for a large room in a large apartment in East Williamsburg. The one thing is, I'm not complaining. I'm also not sure if a majority of the people in this piece are. Living in Manhattan is just not a reasonable, or an enjoyable, option IMO.
Seriously? I put up with this shit from 30-somethings all the time, the "Oh, Manhattan is boring, oh the City isn't what it used to be, blah, blah, blah. . . "
You're 23. In 2001 you were 14, you have no fucking idea what the scene was like in Manhattan back then and in no way can compare it to what it's like now. Waxing nostalgic about the 80s or early 90s? Sure, I can see that because the city was a very different place (though not nearly as different as people like to tell themselves it was). But take the faux "oh shit was good then it got bad" routine and stuff it.
I am simply pointing out that Manhattan is kind of boring, I don't really care if it was boring or not in the early 80s either. New York has changed drastically since I was a child and I can see that clearly. I was born at NYU Medical Center and I've been in New York for my whole life, so I'd like to think I can formulate an opinion about how the city has changed. I remember squeegee men, how Giuliani seemingly eradicated homelessness in one fell swoop, and New York before it's intense Disneyfication. My first home at Stuyvensant Town was bought by MetLife and is now being marketed as luxury condos. I have plenty to be nostalgic about. Lastly, I'm not certain what "scene" you are referring to. This article is not about tech in NYC and I never claimed to be commenting about tech. You should take your really aggressive vibe "and stuff it".
Have you been to Bed-Stuy recently? It's actually pretty decent and getting gentrified. Cafes, open eateries, fruit shops mixed in the regular stores. 'Checkers' burgers even opened there recently.
I know, since I've been there lot this summer. I also have been watching the crime maps since I'm doing research for house hunting. Crimes in the Bed-Stuy are rare compared to the surrounding areas.
Four years ago, my best friend and I were paying 1850 for a two bedroom, one bath in Astoria. It had cockroaches, the power would go out if we plugged too many things in, and it was four avenue blocks from the train.
I'm not saying living in New York is bad, especially if you're single in your 20's, but financially it made no sense to me and I'm glad I moved.
