NYC Living Expenses

[NOLAdentist2016]

I'm considering NYU and I'm trying to get a realistic estimate of how much money I'll need every month. I plan on taking the army HPSP, so I'll have about $2000 a month living stipend to live on. I may be able to get a little more money from family or my savings, but very minimal. I'm just concerned because NYU states that the cost of living is about $36,000 for a year. That's ridiculous!
I plan on living close to the dental school in an apt with a friend (probably a 1 bedroom converted apt). What's the average rent like around there? I did some quick google searches and i'm finding 1br apts for 3600 to 4000. Is that accurate?! And are things like food and utilities more expensive in the city?
Thanks!

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[hail2pitt]

I'm considering NYU and I'm trying to get a realistic estimate of how much money I'll need every month. I plan on taking the army HPSP, so I'll have about $2000 a month living stipend to live on. I may be able to get a little more money from family or my savings, but very minimal. I'm just concerned because NYU states that the cost of living is about $36,000 for a year. That's ridiculous!
I plan on living close to the dental school in an apt with a friend (probably a 1 bedroom converted apt). What's the average rent like around there? I did some quick google searches and i'm finding 1br apts for 3600 to 4000. Is that accurate?! And are things like food and utilities more expensive in the city?
Thanks!

Yeah, I think that area is pretty expensive. My cousin lives 2 blocks from the dental school and he pays 1725 for a studio plus utilities (and he says this is cheap for his block, because most other things are much more).

An addition: he said you should be able to find something closer to 3000 for a 1 bedroom, he suggested googling a site called NYBits

 

[LaFleur]

Does NYU not have any student housing you could look into or is that also expensive?

 

[Demps]

Does NYU not have any student housing you could look into or is that also expensive?

I think dorm would be more expensive if they have one.

 

[KillaGorilla]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/84-million-new-yorkers-suddenly-realize-new-york-c,18003/

This is not meant to discourage people, but its hilariously accurate.

 

[Demps]

If you can find somewhere with a roommate or two, then I think you pay around 1K~12K but then it is the city. Anywhere you go will be expensive, but it won't be 3K-4K just for the housing rent per month. But to live alone, I think 2K~2.5K rent sounds about right. hail2pitt is actually correct on her cousin saying 1.7K is relatively cheap.

Anyway, not just NYC but anywhere you go housing rent near Universities will total somewhere around 1K anyway at decent-sized cities.

 

[NOLAdentist2016]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/84-million-new-yorkers-suddenly-realize-new-york-c,18003/

This is not meant to discourage people, but its hilariously accurate.

Really funny, and you're right it is hilariously accurate. I'm not too psyched about living in NYC, but I do have some good friends who live in the city or very close by, and I'll be about 3hrs from home, which is also nice. Other than that, I've never been drawn in by the NYC dream. I hope to make the most of it though. And hopefully I can get a decent apt for about $1200 a month with 1 roommate. Then I'd be content.

 

[FightinUruKai]

Noticed the header and I wanted to give a couple tips.

I live in NYC and have lived here for a couple of years. Your expenses are going to be: metrocard (a monthly unlimited is $104), food (groceries cost more here - for two people's groceries I spend probably about $350-$450 a month, obviously more if you eat out a lot), utilities (heat and water are usually included in your rent, but you will have to pay for gas/electric which should cost approx. $60-$95, depending on if you have an AC unit, and you will also have to pay for internet/cable. You can get internet for about $45), and your rent.

Those are the bare minimum. Rent near NYU is very expensive because it is a very popular, trendy place to live. If you are willing to commute a bit, cheaper areas to live are in queens, brooklyn, and upper manhattan. You are not going to find a 1br apt for less than $1000, but you can find sublets for around $700-$900 if you don't mind having roommates. For NYU I would suggest looking for apts in Brooklyn, and Astoria in queens isn't that bad of a commute (about 40 minutes or so on a bad day).

You can find sublets on craigslist, and you can also find some good deals, but you do need to be careful not to get scammed. You can also talk to real estate agents and see if they have any listings that would suit your needs. Real estate agents usually charge a fee that is equal to one month of rent, but they make the apt finding process so much easier it's almost always worth it. Just explain to them what you want. Citihabitats is a good place to start - you can look at their online listings and you should get a good idea of apt pricing.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

I work a few blocks away from NYU... it costs $2000 for a 300 sq ft studio right across the street.

 

[wired202808]

I'm considering NYU and I'm trying to get a realistic estimate of how much money I'll need every month. I plan on taking the army HPSP, so I'll have about $2000 a month living stipend to live on. I may be able to get a little more money from family or my savings, but very minimal. I'm just concerned because NYU states that the cost of living is about $36,000 for a year. That's ridiculous!
I plan on living close to the dental school in an apt with a friend (probably a 1 bedroom converted apt). What's the average rent like around there? I did some quick google searches and i'm finding 1br apts for 3600 to 4000. Is that accurate?! And are things like food and utilities more expensive in the city?
Thanks!

I've heard of plenty of people sharing aparmtnets and paying $1300 a month (with 1 or 2 roommates) thats for an apartment close to the school. If you have no problem commuting you can always find an apartment elsewhere in the city and lower your cost to a $1000 (if you find a roommate.) Craiglist has a lot of room sharing type of ads that can offer affordable rentals. Food will cost you a lot if you plan to buy it in Manhattan, groceries are significantly cheaper in Brooklyn and Queens.

I can easily imagine paying $1300 a month + $500 in food to be $1800 a month, $1,800 * 12 = $22K. That would mean you would live close to the school and you could save on the transportation costs. If you are brave and are willing to bargain hunt, I'm sure you can find a place for a $1000 (although you might need to buy a metrocard and will have to live with someone else.)

All in all, expect to have a roommate and pay close to $2K a month, It will be enough. unless you eat out and go to bars every weekend. Plus if you are willing to do your grocery shopping in Brooklyn, you can save a buttload of $$$ each week/month

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

I am turbo-scared. My roommate and I pay $2200 a month here in Toronto for a 2-bedroom condo close to school. Not including hydro/electric or cable/internet. I dread paying that much for a 300 sq ft. studio. That's redonk.

 

[Kahr]

I am turbo-scared. My roommate and I pay $2200 a month here in Toronto for a 2-bedroom condo close to school. Not including hydro/electric or cable/internet. I dread paying that much for a 300 sq ft. studio. That's redonk.

That's why you live in Brooklyn, possibly along the "L". I'd also consider the UES, could be a straight shot on the train. Most people have to commute to Manhattan anyway, you just have to try to set yourself up to need less transfers and a more direct route.

If I end up at NYU I will try to live in Manhattan, but I've seen plenty of places in Brooklyn with a decent commute that would be much more affordable. Hopefully, any and all of us on SDN that end up there can connect and try to make room mate situations work.

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

If I end up at NYU I will try to live in Manhattan, but I've seen plenty of places in Brooklyn with a decent commute that would be much more affordable. Hopefully, any and all of us on SDN that end up there can connect and try to make room mate situations work.

For sure. I suppose for now we can do some preliminary research but many people won't know for sure where they're going until much later in the year (myself included) so I guess for now we can just hope for the best.

Everyone should join all the Facebook groups of schools they're contemplating attending to facilitate this. 🙂

Also, Kahr, where is your avatar from? It's on the tip of my tongue but I can't seem to remember!

 

[Kahr]

For sure. I suppose for now we can do some preliminary research but many people won't know for sure where they're going until much later in the year (myself included) so I guess for now we can just hope for the best.

Everyone should join all the Facebook groups of schools they're contemplating attending to facilitate this. 🙂

Also, Kahr, where is your avatar from? It's on the tip of my tongue but I can't seem to remember!

I'd be right there with you guys, but I gave up Facebook almost 2 years ago! 😛 Also with you on the school thing, I won't know for a while myself, honestly just hoping to get in at this point.

Avatar is from Tangled, that Disney movie based on Rapunzel (the long hair thing). I just really liked that little lizard guy, Pascal.

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

I'd be right there with you guys, but I gave up Facebook almost 2 years ago! 😛 Also with you on the school thing, I won't know for a while myself, honestly just hoping to get in at this point.

Avatar is from Tangled, that Disney movie based on Rapunzel (the long hair thing). I just really liked that little lizard guy, Pascal.

Yessss, now I remember. The random cute sidekicks are always the best part of Pixar movies. Even the cockroach in Wall-E.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you, Kahr. You'll hear good news soon.

 

[Barking Lamb]

The situation in New York makes me uneasy as well. I live in Florida right now in a 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom house. My girlfriend and I split rent with a roomate. We all pay 350 a month including utilities and have a half acre backyard for my dog to run around. The spare room is used as an office.

 

[nondescriptive]

I think in the end the enjoyment of living in NY might be worth the consideration. Its only 4 years for you. I think you should go for NYU. Its a great school. My cousin is in dental school there. He's subletting for 1200 a month. Not too bad. An apt in New Orleans is 1200 as well, if you're right next to the dental school. And think of all the plane tickets it will cost you to fly from New Orleans home. For you, NYU all the way.

 

[NOLAdentist2016]

I think in the end the enjoyment of living in NY might be worth the consideration. Its only 4 years for you. I think you should go for NYU. Its a great school. My cousin is in dental school there. He's subletting for 1200 a month. Not too bad. An apt in New Orleans is 1200 as well, if you're right next to the dental school. And think of all the plane tickets it will cost you to fly from New Orleans home. For you, NYU all the way.

Honestly I've never really been able to understand the whole "enjoyment of living in NY" idea. I could deal with it for 4 years, but that's it. Everyone talks about the NYC nightlife and such, but seriously, have you ever been to New Orleans? Not only do we have nightlife and no open container laws, but the culture here is awesome! How'd you know I'm from New Orleans anyways? my username? I don't think I mentioned that part. And actually I've been living here for the past 5 years, and I rent a nice apt in the Garden Distrcit 10min from the dental school for $895/mo (1 roomate, so $445 each). I'm not totally discounting NYC, just saying that I don't think it's worth all the hype everyone gives it.

 

[nondescriptive]

Honestly I've never really been able to understand the whole "enjoyment of living in NY" idea. I could deal with it for 4 years, but that's it. Everyone talks about the NYC nightlife and such, but seriously, have you ever been to New Orleans? Not only do we have nightlife and no open container laws, but the culture here is awesome! How'd you know I'm from New Orleans anyways? my username? I don't think I mentioned that part. And actually I've been living here for the past 5 years, and I rent a nice apt in the Garden Distrcit 10min from the dental school for $895/mo (1 roomate, so $445 each). I'm not totally discounting NYC, just saying that I don't think it's worth all the hype everyone gives it.

Chill Out. You're the one considering it, not me. If you dont want to, then don't. And I have been to New Orleans, and New York. I enjoy both cities.

 

[dantemac]

Whoever said live in Brooklyn along the L line, you are correct sir or ma'am. That right there is the best idea.

 

[wired202808]

Honestly I've never really been able to understand the whole "enjoyment of living in NY" idea. I could deal with it for 4 years, but that's it. Everyone talks about the NYC nightlife and such, but seriously, have you ever been to New Orleans? Not only do we have nightlife and no open container laws, but the culture here is awesome! How'd you know I'm from New Orleans anyways? my username? I don't think I mentioned that part. And actually I've been living here for the past 5 years, and I rent a nice apt in the Garden Distrcit 10min from the dental school for $895/mo (1 roomate, so $445 each). I'm not totally discounting NYC, just saying that I don't think it's worth all the hype everyone gives it.

damn dude why the hostility? look if been to NOLA and its awesome, but its not better than NYC! No way at all. NYC is modern and trendy, while NOLA is old school and laidback. They are worlds apart and again you are the one considering NYU, if you dont like NYC then maybe you should look for other states to go to school, but theres no need to bash a city.

 

[NOLAdentist2016]

Chill Out. You're the one considering it, not me. If you dont want to, then don't. And I have been to New Orleans, and New York. I enjoy both cities.

I wasn't trying to sound rude or angry, sorry if I came off that way. As of today NYU is my only choice so I'm just trying to get an idea of how I'll have to live for the next four years before I can possibly return to nola. And I was just point out that your quote of 1200 near the LSU dental school is rather high, unless i'm living in a nice 2br apt building or house with no roommates.

 

[nondescriptive]

I wasn't trying to sound rude or angry, sorry if I came off that way. As of today NYU is my only choice so I'm just trying to get an idea of how I'll have to live for the next four years before I can possibly return to nola. And I was just point out that your quote of 1200 near the LSU dental school is rather high, unless i'm living in a nice 2br apt building or house with no roommates.

My friend lives in the apartment just south of the dental school, all electric/water included. But its filled with old people, like a retirement complex. Theres a few LSUD teachers living there too. Its not a bad deal at all.