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What are some cheap ways to live in New York?
Live in New Jersey and commute to your job in New York. You could live in Harlem, though
it can be downright dangerous if you are melanin challenged.
I want to live closer to the action.
Live with several roommates to lower the rent.
How could I get my own place?
You could live in Queens or Brooklyn for 25K or 35K, but you’ll spend 3 hours a day on
the train getting to and from NYC proper. However, the commute from Staten Island may
not leave enough money to live off of.
Are there any other options?
Move into a micro-apartment. They’re about 300 square feet, but you get your own place
for a thousand dollars, or maybe a little more.
I might as well live in a slum.
Stay in a hostel, which is around $40 to $50 a night.
How else could I live in New York cheap?
Save money by buying canned goods instead of eating out all the time. Get vegetables
from Chinatown stores instead of fancy, organic boutiques.
Taking a cab to the store to get food is almost as expensive as walking to a takeout place.
Leave your car behind, and stay out of cabs. Get an unlimited monthly metro card to lower
your commuting costs, and maybe, a job that offers a discount on that.
I want to enjoy the high life.
On the cheap? Socialize at others’ apartments or public events instead of paying to enter
clubs.
You’re making it sound like I have to be a bum to have fun. Or calling myself an urban
camper to make it sound better.
Look for free movie screenings, and don’t take a job for the prestige or sparkling conversation.
Watch performances at the local high school or off-Broadway, instead of paying up hundreds
for the Broadway play.
I could just walk everywhere and enjoy the sights.
If you don’t mind the risk of being mugged.
Can you live there affordably with roommates?
Get a three bedroom apartment and split it with at least two roommates. A three bedroom
has few takers in NYC, but three roommates makes rent a thousand a month each or less.
This is making New Jersey sound downright attractive.