Offered a job in NYC. What to do?
02-14-2009, 01:45 PM
#41
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Ben is full of **** because he doesnt understand that living anywhere else is like living on a deserted island compared to living in a place where 8 million people live. Therefore everything is at a premium here and not citing why everywhere else is cheap is pretty ignorant.
Congrats on your house and your cheap taxes but when you need to find a job in something other then running a junk yard you will have to leave wherever you are living and come to one of the coasts. The same reason people migrated to the cities during the industrial revolution when farming just didnt quite cut it anymore.
A monthly parking spot in the city is 300 bucks a month at the most, so I dont know wtf your uncle is talking about either, or maybe you guys are just a bunch of pathological exaggerators.
Woodmere is also a pretty baller place to live. Average house prices are 600+, for long island, aside from the Hamptons thats ******* bananas. I doubt its 2000 a month in property taxes, but its no doubt very expensive.
Congrats on your house and your cheap taxes but when you need to find a job in something other then running a junk yard you will have to leave wherever you are living and come to one of the coasts. The same reason people migrated to the cities during the industrial revolution when farming just didnt quite cut it anymore.
A monthly parking spot in the city is 300 bucks a month at the most, so I dont know wtf your uncle is talking about either, or maybe you guys are just a bunch of pathological exaggerators.
Woodmere is also a pretty baller place to live. Average house prices are 600+, for long island, aside from the Hamptons thats ******* bananas. I doubt its 2000 a month in property taxes, but its no doubt very expensive.
And you can date girls who sound like Fran Drescher.
And find a nice place to live in Brooklyn. Like this duplex currently listed at $429,000. It is a 3/1.5/1, 1130 Sq. ft. and the taxes are $2,400
or maybe you can stay in this one in Port Charlotte for the same money.
It is a 3062 Sq. Ft. 4/2.5/ 3 car garage, with a screen enclosed pool with waterfall, a jacuzzi spa, a dock on the waterfront that opens into the Gulf of Mexico, 12 and 14 foot ceilings, master bedroom with 6 sliding glass doors that pocket to open up to the lanai, master bath with walk-in Roman-style tiled shower, Italian porcelain tile floors, etc. Did I mention the 3 car garage?
Yeah, I'm convinced. Quality of life is more important than just breathing to me.
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02-14-2009, 02:30 PM
#42
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Ok, I know living in Charlotte County is cheap. I grew up there. And now I need to get the hell out again before it drives me batshit crazy. There's a reason that it costs next to nothing to live here- there are no jobs! At least not in my line of work.
So, can we all please drop the "Stay in Florida" business. I hate it, the roads suck, the weather is horrible, there are too many damn bugs, and I'll take ten thousand Fran Dreschers over the bluehair crew.
And yes, I know what New York is like. I'm here right now, and I've spent lots of time working in the city. What I don't know is what the surrounding areas are like, what commuting into and out of the city on a daily basis is like, etc. It's one thing to fly into LGA, take the M60 to Astoria & 31st, transfer to the N/W, and then spend the next month commuting back and forth between a hotel at B'way & 49th (that someone else is paying for) and a jobsite at Hudson & Houston via the 1 train. It's something entirely else to live on the outside, work on the inside, and make the commute every single day.
What I'm really hoping for is someone who will give me a reasonable assessment as to where (if at all) one can find reasonably affordable accommodations (< $2,000 / mo, or < $400,000 or so) that permit a decent commute (I'm not commuting an hour each way to get to work and back, just ain't happening) and otherwise meets the criteria laid out above?
Seriously.
(incidentally, $2,400 /yr in tax is nothing. In Carlsbad, you'd pay >$10k in tax for that house.)
So, can we all please drop the "Stay in Florida" business. I hate it, the roads suck, the weather is horrible, there are too many damn bugs, and I'll take ten thousand Fran Dreschers over the bluehair crew.
And yes, I know what New York is like. I'm here right now, and I've spent lots of time working in the city. What I don't know is what the surrounding areas are like, what commuting into and out of the city on a daily basis is like, etc. It's one thing to fly into LGA, take the M60 to Astoria & 31st, transfer to the N/W, and then spend the next month commuting back and forth between a hotel at B'way & 49th (that someone else is paying for) and a jobsite at Hudson & Houston via the 1 train. It's something entirely else to live on the outside, work on the inside, and make the commute every single day.
What I'm really hoping for is someone who will give me a reasonable assessment as to where (if at all) one can find reasonably affordable accommodations (< $2,000 / mo, or < $400,000 or so) that permit a decent commute (I'm not commuting an hour each way to get to work and back, just ain't happening) and otherwise meets the criteria laid out above?
Seriously.
(incidentally, $2,400 /yr in tax is nothing. In Carlsbad, you'd pay >$10k in tax for that house.)
Last edited by Joe Perez; 02-14-2009 at 02:55 PM.
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02-14-2009, 02:59 PM
#43
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I lived in NYC for 18 years and go back every year to visit family.
NYC:
-is expensive as hell
-has ridiculously high taxes. I don't think 80k is quite high enough, but a lot of people end up paying AMT which is a whole extra hassle on top of federal income tax.
-is a horrible place for car enthusiasts. They really try and **** you in the *** at every opportunity, both in terms of money and in terms of enforcement of petty road rules. There's also no place to park, ever. My parents pay about 400 a month to rent a garage spot.
-hope you don't own any guns, because you're going to have to leave them behind when you go to NYC. We're at least another supreme court decision away from 2nd amendment incorporation in the 2nd circuit.
-everything costs more because of all the taxes raising the cost of doing business plus the cost of commercial leases.
Seriously, **** NYC, it's an expensive shithole.
NYC:
-is expensive as hell
-has ridiculously high taxes. I don't think 80k is quite high enough, but a lot of people end up paying AMT which is a whole extra hassle on top of federal income tax.
-is a horrible place for car enthusiasts. They really try and **** you in the *** at every opportunity, both in terms of money and in terms of enforcement of petty road rules. There's also no place to park, ever. My parents pay about 400 a month to rent a garage spot.
-hope you don't own any guns, because you're going to have to leave them behind when you go to NYC. We're at least another supreme court decision away from 2nd amendment incorporation in the 2nd circuit.
-everything costs more because of all the taxes raising the cost of doing business plus the cost of commercial leases.
Seriously, **** NYC, it's an expensive shithole.
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02-14-2009, 03:53 PM
#45
Obviously there are some strong opinions here...
In the town where I work (Bronxville) I know someone that pays close to 50k in property taxes....
Joe, I don't know the burroughs all that well but I think Staten Island has some pretty suburban areas. As far as the county I'm from you can look at the MTA's website for travel times via the metro north railroad. MTA Metro-North On this map anything within the red area is less than an hour by train. The cities circled in blue are shitholes, the other two circled towns are uber expensive. But the property taxes in the county as a whole are very high. You could probably find a nice place to rent on the sound or the hudson easily in your budget. I'm partial to the hudson towns because that's where I'm from but they are also quieter and quaint...er.
Also, my GF's brother lives in Hoboken and he's able to get to work in midtown within 20-30 minutes via the PATH train. It's cheaper than Manhatten but I don't know how cheap. Craigslist can give you an idea.
Joe, I don't know the burroughs all that well but I think Staten Island has some pretty suburban areas. As far as the county I'm from you can look at the MTA's website for travel times via the metro north railroad. MTA Metro-North On this map anything within the red area is less than an hour by train. The cities circled in blue are shitholes, the other two circled towns are uber expensive. But the property taxes in the county as a whole are very high. You could probably find a nice place to rent on the sound or the hudson easily in your budget. I'm partial to the hudson towns because that's where I'm from but they are also quieter and quaint...er.
Also, my GF's brother lives in Hoboken and he's able to get to work in midtown within 20-30 minutes via the PATH train. It's cheaper than Manhatten but I don't know how cheap. Craigslist can give you an idea.
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02-14-2009, 05:27 PM
#46
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When I worked in the city, I was all the way downtown (2WTC). Commuting from Westchester, CT or LI means a 20-min minimum subway ride from Penn Station or GCT, so if you add that to your drive to the station and your train ride, possibilities for a 1-hour commute get pretty limited.
My brother worked downtown as well. He lived in Westfield, NJ took the train to Newark, and then the PATH train direct to the WTC station - it was almost exactly 65 min door-to-door. The trick was that Westfield was directly on the right train line.
There are(or at least were) several lines in north Jersey that would work, and plenty of towns closer than Westfield. I have a bunch of friends and co-workers in NJ and can ask next week about rentals in commute-friendly areas.
Let the experience-free Jersey bashing begin!
My brother worked downtown as well. He lived in Westfield, NJ took the train to Newark, and then the PATH train direct to the WTC station - it was almost exactly 65 min door-to-door. The trick was that Westfield was directly on the right train line.
There are(or at least were) several lines in north Jersey that would work, and plenty of towns closer than Westfield. I have a bunch of friends and co-workers in NJ and can ask next week about rentals in commute-friendly areas.
Let the experience-free Jersey bashing begin!
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02-14-2009, 08:09 PM
#47
Joe I live in Staten Island, and as previous said thats about all there is for suburbs near the city. Other option would be Long Island, but even more expensive and further away.
Staten Island = approx 30-60minute commute depending on how you choose to get to the city and where in the city you're going to be, and finally where on Staten Island you are. I'm pretty much a stone throw from Jersey (South Shore/Tottenville), so it'd take me bout 60mintues via Express Bus. That said there's plenty of neighborhoods which are closer to Verrazano, and would get you into the city in bout 20min, then add on depending on where in the city you're going. For reference, Downtown NYC is closest part to Staten Island. IOW if you're going to be working Uptown, it'll take alot longer than if you were going Downtown.
You can simply take and Express Bus, which will take you straight into the city, or take the train to the ferry which will get you to downtown and go from there (bus/sub).
As far as comparing to Florida, its got its cookie cutter neighborhoods, but much less of it. And there's really no associations to speak of. There are plenty of TH's, and SEMI's (think FL duplex but a little nicer). I'd estimate aroundf $1700/ $1800ish for a townhouse/semi w/ a garage. Maybe can find something lower, and obviously higher. Range I'd say is roughly $1700-$2000 give or take.
It so happens my father knows alot of builders/owners/etc having been in construction doign foundations for 30yrs here. If you decide to, I can ask him and see if he knows of anything. He always knows someone renting, buying, building, etc...
You got everything you need here as far as stores, restaurants, things to do, shopping, etc etc... Some nice twisty roads, but unfortunately potholes or traffic ruin them for the most part (googe Amboy Rd for example). And whatever you don't have here, you can easily find in Jersey. Most people I know venture into Manhattan for work or entertainment, thats bout it.
I believe the local site is silive.com , can find some rental postings and whatnot. Or as I mentioned earlier CL has plenty too.
I personally would steer away from buying right now, for a townhouse like you're looking for you'd be close to $350+k.
As for your salary question, you mentioned you won't move for 80k, and IMO a single guy thats has normal taste can live pretty comfortably with that. I am referring to renting though, if you plan to purchase, it'll be tight.
Finally, I don't know how long your in town for (I know u posted somewhere), but if you'd like to see for yourself drop me an email/pm or whatever. There's not an awful lot to see, so a couple hours would be enough to drive around to pretty much every part, make some notes, check out neighborhoods, main areas, etc...
Staten Island = approx 30-60minute commute depending on how you choose to get to the city and where in the city you're going to be, and finally where on Staten Island you are. I'm pretty much a stone throw from Jersey (South Shore/Tottenville), so it'd take me bout 60mintues via Express Bus. That said there's plenty of neighborhoods which are closer to Verrazano, and would get you into the city in bout 20min, then add on depending on where in the city you're going. For reference, Downtown NYC is closest part to Staten Island. IOW if you're going to be working Uptown, it'll take alot longer than if you were going Downtown.
You can simply take and Express Bus, which will take you straight into the city, or take the train to the ferry which will get you to downtown and go from there (bus/sub).
As far as comparing to Florida, its got its cookie cutter neighborhoods, but much less of it. And there's really no associations to speak of. There are plenty of TH's, and SEMI's (think FL duplex but a little nicer). I'd estimate aroundf $1700/ $1800ish for a townhouse/semi w/ a garage. Maybe can find something lower, and obviously higher. Range I'd say is roughly $1700-$2000 give or take.
It so happens my father knows alot of builders/owners/etc having been in construction doign foundations for 30yrs here. If you decide to, I can ask him and see if he knows of anything. He always knows someone renting, buying, building, etc...
You got everything you need here as far as stores, restaurants, things to do, shopping, etc etc... Some nice twisty roads, but unfortunately potholes or traffic ruin them for the most part (googe Amboy Rd for example). And whatever you don't have here, you can easily find in Jersey. Most people I know venture into Manhattan for work or entertainment, thats bout it.
I believe the local site is silive.com , can find some rental postings and whatnot. Or as I mentioned earlier CL has plenty too.
I personally would steer away from buying right now, for a townhouse like you're looking for you'd be close to $350+k.
As for your salary question, you mentioned you won't move for 80k, and IMO a single guy thats has normal taste can live pretty comfortably with that. I am referring to renting though, if you plan to purchase, it'll be tight.
Finally, I don't know how long your in town for (I know u posted somewhere), but if you'd like to see for yourself drop me an email/pm or whatever. There's not an awful lot to see, so a couple hours would be enough to drive around to pretty much every part, make some notes, check out neighborhoods, main areas, etc...
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02-14-2009, 10:45 PM
#53
I've been in NYC less than a year, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
Lots of good advice so far. Summary - you will not get far with 80k here unless you commute from outside the city.
Check carefully, you might get taxed TWICE on your income - I believe if you live in CT and work in NY, you end up paying income tax in both states. I don't know about NJ.
The Path station at WTC is definitely open, I use it to get to Jersey City all the time. Jersey city is... not pretty. But you might be able to find cheap housing there. Not exactly close to fun roads though. PATH is a viable option, depending on which line you live on, to get to various parts of Manhattan. Just remember that an hour commute in the morning on public transit is far different from an hour commute in your car in traffic - you can read the paper, catch up on work/email, etc. It's not a lost hour spent listening do blathering morning-show DJs.
Keep in mind that even with cheap housing, your income will not go as far. Dunno who's picking up your meal tabs, but look at the receipt and think of how much that'll cost you if you lived here.
My advice - follow the lead. Work with the guy and go through the process. If it's a job you'll love and the only holdup is the money, do your research and come back to him with an argument for why you should be paid what you want. No harm in exploring the possibility.
ps - just to make people cringe even worse - I pay nearly $2k for a studio downtown. 535sq feet. And every New Yorker who sees it says what a steal it is. Not luxury.
Lots of good advice so far. Summary - you will not get far with 80k here unless you commute from outside the city.
Check carefully, you might get taxed TWICE on your income - I believe if you live in CT and work in NY, you end up paying income tax in both states. I don't know about NJ.
The Path station at WTC is definitely open, I use it to get to Jersey City all the time. Jersey city is... not pretty. But you might be able to find cheap housing there. Not exactly close to fun roads though. PATH is a viable option, depending on which line you live on, to get to various parts of Manhattan. Just remember that an hour commute in the morning on public transit is far different from an hour commute in your car in traffic - you can read the paper, catch up on work/email, etc. It's not a lost hour spent listening do blathering morning-show DJs.
Keep in mind that even with cheap housing, your income will not go as far. Dunno who's picking up your meal tabs, but look at the receipt and think of how much that'll cost you if you lived here.
My advice - follow the lead. Work with the guy and go through the process. If it's a job you'll love and the only holdup is the money, do your research and come back to him with an argument for why you should be paid what you want. No harm in exploring the possibility.
ps - just to make people cringe even worse - I pay nearly $2k for a studio downtown. 535sq feet. And every New Yorker who sees it says what a steal it is. Not luxury.
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02-15-2009, 11:23 AM
#54
Again. Its cheap because its hard for people to find a job there to afford the housing, so its cheap, also its one way to attract people. Their are a lot of job opportunities in the city vs Charlotte so living here will be more expensive, because everyone wants to live here and living comfortably makes space a premium.
These arguments of live here its cheaper are the ridiculous. Its cheaper because no one lives there, or wants to live there, and theres nothing to do there. If that place had anything to offer then people wouldnt be flocking to the cities seeking employment and everyone would be buying houses overlooking the ocean for 400k.
Compare the average salary of a person living in Port Charlotte to the average salary of someone living in the city and then we will talk again. You cant have your cake and eat it too, in either place you will be faced with the same question, can I afford this place. Unless you are making 200+ working in the City and living in Port Charlotte then thats the only way its gonna happen.
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02-15-2009, 11:31 AM
#55
What I'm really hoping for is someone who will give me a reasonable assessment as to where (if at all) one can find reasonably affordable accommodations (< $2,000 / mo, or < $400,000 or so) that permit a decent commute (I'm not commuting an hour each way to get to work and back, just ain't happening) and otherwise meets the criteria laid out above?
Heres the funny bit. My sister lives in Jersey about 50 miles away from the city, her commute is an hour. I live in Brooklyn, 11 miles from the city and my commute also takes an hour.
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02-15-2009, 11:36 AM
#56
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a lot of you guys who keep saying "2000 will buy a house here in X" must not get the distinction between living in the exurbs and living in a city.
it's not that simple or there wouldn't be huge population concentrations around metropolitan/urban areas.
a lot of people would rather rent a small apartment in NYC for 2000 a month than buy a house in some random place where two freeways meet.
it's not that simple or there wouldn't be huge population concentrations around metropolitan/urban areas.
a lot of people would rather rent a small apartment in NYC for 2000 a month than buy a house in some random place where two freeways meet.
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02-15-2009, 01:59 PM
#57
Ok, I know living in Charlotte County is cheap. I grew up there. And now I need to get the hell out again before it drives me batshit crazy. There's a reason that it costs next to nothing to live here- there are no jobs! At least not in my line of work.
So, can we all please drop the "Stay in Florida" business. I hate it, the roads suck, the weather is horrible, there are too many damn bugs, and I'll take ten thousand Fran Dreschers over the bluehair crew.
And yes, I know what New York is like. I'm here right now, and I've spent lots of time working in the city.
So, can we all please drop the "Stay in Florida" business. I hate it, the roads suck, the weather is horrible, there are too many damn bugs, and I'll take ten thousand Fran Dreschers over the bluehair crew.
And yes, I know what New York is like. I'm here right now, and I've spent lots of time working in the city.
So tired of everyone saying how NY is so expensive and xxx is so cheap...and how you can get xxxx sqft house, blah blah blah...
I quoted Joe cuz as the OP he's even requested everyone drop the arguement.
I was born here, I moved back here. But NYC is not the best place in the world, there is no such thing. It always comes down to pro vs cons, and what the individual prefers. YOU may think xxx is great, doesnt mean I feel the same. "you'll have yours, I'll have mine, and together we'll be fine"
Joe, decide on how much money you'd be happy with, and so long as its 80k or more we'll find you a place that fits your criteria...again tho, I'd get comfortable with the idea of renting not buying for now.
ps--sixshooter, I assume if I pulled up to your house it'd look just like that one you posted right?
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02-15-2009, 03:35 PM
#58
My advice - follow the lead. Work with the guy and go through the process. If it's a job you'll love and the only holdup is the money, do your research and come back to him with an argument for why you should be paid what you want. No harm in exploring the possibility.
this company wants you, they've seen your work. see how far they are willing to go to make this happen. shoot high in the salary, have your minimum set.
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02-15-2009, 05:47 PM
#59
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Thanks everyone for the helpful banter.
I had today off, so I took the 1 train down to the south ferry terminal and rode the ferry to Staten Island and back. The ferry trip along took ~25 minutes dock-to-dock, so you add driving to the ferry station (or to a park-n-ride, and then the bus) plus waiting in the terminal, plus the uptown 1 to Houston St., and we're well over an hour.
And I'm getting the feeling that it's going to be pretty much the same story everywhere off the island. Substitute PATH / LIRR for the ferry, and we're at pretty much the same roadblock.
I finally did some looking around on Craigslist. Maybe I'm a luddite (or just slow to adopt new trends) but I'd never thought to look there. Surprisingly, I'm seeing a lot of 1br and studio apts in midtown and upper-west, and even a few in SoHo, the financial district, etc., around $2k (and no broker fee). Having come from north San Diego county of late, this actually does not seem blasphemously high to me.
Interesting dilemma. Sell the car, live on Manhattan, and have a short, tolerable commute. Live on Staten Island, keep the car (and have a garage), but deal with the commute.
Realistically speaking, what are the best ways into the city, assuming one needs to get to Hudson & Houston?
Heh. We don't even have one freeway in Port Charlotte, much less two. You've gotta drive a ways out of town to reach I-75.
Yes there is. It's San Deigo.
I'm following a loose lead there right now. I have a friend who works for SAIC, and wants to send along my resume. I wouldn't mind getting out of broadcasting and into govt' / military. Radio is dead, and TV isn't far behind. But there will always be war.
Yeah, I went there this afternoon. It's kinda strange being a nice, new, clean train station. Even thought I've done several jobs in town since, this was the first time I'd been back to the site since Sep 9, '01 when I was installing an STL receiver on the 110th floor of 1WTC.
The irony here is staggering, given that it's my job to keep said blathering DJs on the air. 
I had today off, so I took the 1 train down to the south ferry terminal and rode the ferry to Staten Island and back. The ferry trip along took ~25 minutes dock-to-dock, so you add driving to the ferry station (or to a park-n-ride, and then the bus) plus waiting in the terminal, plus the uptown 1 to Houston St., and we're well over an hour.
And I'm getting the feeling that it's going to be pretty much the same story everywhere off the island. Substitute PATH / LIRR for the ferry, and we're at pretty much the same roadblock.
I finally did some looking around on Craigslist. Maybe I'm a luddite (or just slow to adopt new trends) but I'd never thought to look there. Surprisingly, I'm seeing a lot of 1br and studio apts in midtown and upper-west, and even a few in SoHo, the financial district, etc., around $2k (and no broker fee). Having come from north San Diego county of late, this actually does not seem blasphemously high to me.
Originally Posted by tvalenziano
Joe I live in Staten Island,
(...)
There are plenty of TH's, and SEMI's (think FL duplex but a little nicer). I'd estimate aroundf $1700/ $1800ish for a townhouse/semi w/ a garage. Maybe can find something lower, and obviously higher. Range I'd say is roughly $1700-$2000 give or take.
(...)
There are plenty of TH's, and SEMI's (think FL duplex but a little nicer). I'd estimate aroundf $1700/ $1800ish for a townhouse/semi w/ a garage. Maybe can find something lower, and obviously higher. Range I'd say is roughly $1700-$2000 give or take.
Realistically speaking, what are the best ways into the city, assuming one needs to get to Hudson & Houston?
I'm following a loose lead there right now. I have a friend who works for SAIC, and wants to send along my resume. I wouldn't mind getting out of broadcasting and into govt' / military. Radio is dead, and TV isn't far behind. But there will always be war.
Originally Posted by thebeerbaron
The Path station at WTC is definitely open,
Originally Posted by thebeerbaron
It's not a lost hour spent listening do blathering morning-show DJs.
Last edited by Joe Perez; 02-15-2009 at 06:44 PM.
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