Living in Manhattan

[InPaulWeTrust]

I've tried to talk some sense into a friend of mine but he insists on pursuing his life's dream of living in Manhattan, yes, even at times like these.

He is unemployed, just graduated from college, has no job prospect and yet has signed a contract with a guarantor for an apt in Manhattan that costs 1,500/month. Now that he has the apt he will look for a job in the city somewhere during the day and an extra job at a bar during the evenings/nights. Now call me crazy, but how does one expect to live any sort of lifestyle with a day job that will probably consist of an hourly wage of no higher than 10-15/hr plus and a low paying server job that hopes to bank on tips at a bar?

For anyone who lives there, can he make it? It kind of pains me to know he is doing this.

 

[PatriotLegion]

DON'T LIVE IN MANHATTAN!!!

Overpriced and overrated. You can live in Brooklyn or JC for cheaper with a bigger place and still only 15mins from the city. Plus Brooklyn has its own "city feel" to it also.

I been working in NYC for almost 10 year, no I never lived there but I know plenty that do.

 

[PaulaGem]

Now call me crazy, but how does one expect to live any sort of lifestyle with a day job that will probably consist of an hourly wage of no higher than 10-15/hr plus and a low paying server job that hopes to bank on tips at a bar?

For anyone who lives there, can he make it? It kind of pains me to know he is doing this.

It is a longshot, but with the right bar and the right personality anything is possible.

 

[theoakman]

I've tried to talk some sense into a friend of mine but he insists on pursuing his life's dream of living in Manhattan, yes, even at times like these.

He is unemployed, just graduated from college, has no job prospect and yet has signed a contract with a guarantor for an apt in Manhattan that costs 1,500/month. Now that he has the apt he will look for a job in the city somewhere during the day and an extra job at a bar during the evenings/nights. Now call me crazy, but how does one expect to live any sort of lifestyle with a day job that will probably consist of an hourly wage of no higher than 10-15/hr plus and a low paying server job that hopes to bank on tips at a bar?

For anyone who lives there, can he make it? It kind of pains me to know he is doing this.

Trust me on this one. Let your friend crash and burn through his own mistakes. If you try to help him, he's not going to listen, and in hind sight, he'll look back and hate you for it. Best to simply let him do what he wants and learn the hard way. I live near NYC and have been there on a regular basis. Your friend probably isn't going to make it unless he's got parents to pay his rent for him. It's not the end of the world. It's a mistake that will blow up in his face soon enough and he won't be able to continue to make the same mistake when he's evicted.

 

[Anti Federalist]

I've tried to talk some sense into a friend of mine but he insists on pursuing his life's dream of living in Manhattan, yes, even at times like these.

He is unemployed, just graduated from college, has no job prospect and yet has signed a contract with a guarantor for an apt in Manhattan that costs 1,500/month. Now that he has the apt he will look for a job in the city somewhere during the day and an extra job at a bar during the evenings/nights. Now call me crazy, but how does one expect to live any sort of lifestyle with a day job that will probably consist of an hourly wage of no higher than 10-15/hr plus and a low paying server job that hopes to bank on tips at a bar?

For anyone who lives there, can he make it? It kind of pains me to know he is doing this.

If I'm not mistaken Cowlesy lives in Manhattan, he'd be the one to ask.

I lived there for six months or so, hated it for the most part, but looking back, glad I did it at the time.

 

[Dark_Horse_Rider]

Some barbacks and other positions make good money in Manhattan.

Day jobs are out there, but much competition these days.

Looking on Craigslist this morning, several barback positions available, also bartender jobs too.

Rent is high, if he can find a cool roomate situation, could save some money, but have to be careful... I know a girl that got taken for 10 grand paying for a years sublet up front. The guy came back after 3 months and said the money was gone and that his name was on the lease, but that she was welcome to stay with him if she wanted !

 

[InPaulWeTrust]

Well it seems as if based on all of the feed back for the most part that he may do alright if he gets into a good bar and banks on tips and such. I guess time will tell.

 

[malkusm]

If I'm not mistaken Cowlesy lives in Manhattan, he'd be the one to ask.

I lived there for six months or so, hated it for the most part, but looking back, glad I did it at the time.

I believe Cowlesy lives in Queens, and his advice to me was also to not live in Manhattan

I contemplated doing the same thing as your friend in order to go to grad school. Ultimately, NYC scares the hell out of me, so I'm waiting at least a year and building up some savings to fall back on. That, and I couldn't get a decent job in the area.

Your friend CAN make it, if he networks like crazy for a couple months something might open up; however, right now very, very few places are hiring.

 

[InPaulWeTrust]

malkusm

I believe Cowlesy lives in Queens, and his advice to me was also to not live in Manhattan

I contemplated doing the same thing as your friend in order to go to grad school. Ultimately, NYC scares the hell out of me, so I'm waiting at least a year and building up some savings to fall back on. That, and I couldn't get a decent job in the area.

Your friend CAN make it, if he networks like crazy for a couple months something might open up; however, right now very, very few places are hiring.

I want to see him succeed, so yes he CAN make it, it won't be easy though. Did you actually contact NYU for more information? I am also looking to go into grad school by next year, preferably a more Austrian leaning one than Keynesian. Was NYU a good option for you?

 

[malkusm]

I want to see him succeed, so yes he CAN make it, it won't be easy though. Did you actually contact NYU for more information? I am also looking to go into grad school by next year, preferably a more Austrian leaning one than Keynesian. Was NYU a good option for you?

Yeah NYU has a few good Austrian professors from what I hear, which is why I applied. If you haven't seen this PDF from Mises yet, you should look it over - it was pretty influential in my decision-making for where to apply.

I applied and got accepted for the M.A. program there, but I need to take intermediate micro/macro econ and transfer those in, and the money situation would have been a disaster, so I requested enrollment deferral for a year. It's certainly not the cheapest option, but the M.A. program is only 3 semesters and the classes are at night so you can work to pay for it...at least, that's my plan.

George Mason is highly recommended by a lot of Austrian economists, and they have an M.A. program as well as a Ph.D. with an Austrian track).

 

[InPaulWeTrust]

malkusm

Yeah NYU has a few good Austrian professors from what I hear, which is why I applied. If you haven't seen this PDF from Mises yet, you should look it over - it was pretty influential in my decision-making for where to apply.

I applied and got accepted for the M.A. program there, but I need to take intermediate micro/macro econ and transfer those in, and the money situation would have been a disaster, so I requested enrollment deferral for a year. It's certainly not the cheapest option, but the M.A. program is only 3 semesters and the classes are at night so you can work to pay for it...at least, that's my plan.

George Mason is highly recommended by a lot of Austrian economists, and they have an M.A. program as well as a Ph.D. with an Austrian track).

That's a good deal, well my grades aren't necessarily stellar and I am graduating this Summer with my BSBA, but I already have good job. I can possibly put in for a transfer and they would relocate me there. Why must you take "intermediate" macro and micro? I took both already, but none were titled intermediate. We can PM this convo if ya want, I'm curious to know what they told you.

I am planning a trip up to manhattan in August, perhaps I can sit down with one of their MBA advisors.

 

[Brassmouth]

George Mason is highly recommended by a lot of Austrian economists, and they have an M.A. program as well as a Ph.D. with an Austrian track).

Check your facts on that one. A lot of Austrian professors recommend against going to "Austrian" programs. Even then, GMU isn't even very Austrian. Several of the professors there openly disregard Austianism.