I may have an opportunity to transfer from California to NYC

[Stevendsmith]

My wife and I have visited New York and LOVED it. This would be a big step for us.

Any input or advice?

Can a couple live in Manhattan on a combined salary of under 100K?

Can we bring our two cats?!

[serryjw]

1. Stay in CA!

Where do you live now? I lived in NYC for years and grew up in the Valley for 20 years. Do you own a home? The cost of co-
ops has continued to Sky rocket and if you go out to burb property taxes are outrageous. Are you getting transferred?
Any children?

Give us more info...what does your wife do?

[papau]

2. yes - but Queens or Jersey might be a better choice

10 years ago I paid 24000 per year for a 1 bedroom - in a nice but no where near great area but with full time guards (14th and first, 23rd and 2nd - Sty Town and the (original) Madison square, and Union square area -great areas but pricey).

I loved the experience. No other city has the same feeling of being alive that NYC has - you feel the energy the moment you step onto the sidewalk.

But cost is tough - check out what the college kids are getting as those areas tend to be more affordable. And the lonely at night areas like near the WTC were cheaper - at least back then.

Alphabet city area is cheap - but scary - again back then.

Good luck - It will be a great memory!

:-)

[Taverner]

3. Ive done both

And the one thing going for you is whatever you buy in NYC will translate back to prices in CA should you want to move bac.

Prices in NYC and CA are similar (not the same, but not as much of a change as elsewhere in the US)

On the downside, however, NYC is...well NYC. There is a lot to get used to. Not knocking it but its not exactly a comfortable place to live...

[ldf]

4. most places are animal friendly

lot of dogs in nyc.

cats are easier since they don't make noise (well, as much).

manhattan is great.

your income has to be 40 times the monthly rent, to qualify.

unfortunately for me (60k), that leaves me up in the dominican republic, 178th and st. nicholas.

but i also lived in puerto rico, in upper upper eastside (ok, spanish harlem).

below 96th on the east or west side is going to be pricey. still, there is no place like it.

even if i have to tour the third world right here on manhattan, i would rather be no place else.

[serryjw]

5. I lived in 105th and 2nd

but left NYC in 1987. I was paying $600 for an apt with no stove or refrigerator...yes, they were there but could barely be used.
NYC is for the very wealthy or young kids that want the experience and don't care how they live. There is no quality to life in NYC for $100K yearly...IMHO

[annabanana]

6. NYC

The tempo of life changes the second the plane hits the ground. Sell the car. You'll walk or take the subway to everyplace worth going. (There is no place in the world that is more fun to walk than midtown) Once your street radar is up and running, you'll be fine.

[DaveinMD]

7. that's funny

I love NY, but its not cheap.

[Taverner]

8. Neither is CA

[DaveinMD]

9. I grew up in the NY suburbs

apartment in Manhattan are incredibly expensive. If you are willing to live in Brooklyn, you may be able to get a good deal.