Budget Advice: Big Law Salary in NYC Forum

[WolverineMachine]

I hope this doesn't come off as crass, but I wanted to know realistically what I could afford in rent with a Big Law salary in NYC. If I were to pay give or take $1K in loans, I was wondering how much (or little) I should allow myself to pay in rent. Ideally, I would prefer to live with a roommate, but if not, I wouldn't be opposed to paying for a studio. Having said that, any studio worth living in looks like it will run me about $3K/month, which I know is absurd. Would love some opinions, especially if you happen to be a young, big law associate yourself. Thanks!

[1styearlateral]

Not sure why you'd have to spend $3k/mo. for a "livable studio." I've seen gorgeous 1 bedrooms go for like $3,300. Ideally, you should try to meet a balance of spending as little as possible for the most amount of comfort. But no one can just tell you how much to spend because that number could vary incredibly by person, situation, location, etc. etc.

[sublime]

I just did some apartment tours and rent for decent one bedrooms was in the 3k range, some pretty big, others less big but nicer. Unless you are looking at a really nice luxury studio in a desirable area, I think you are overestimating cost. Fwiw I was looking in Hells Kitchen and UWS and ended up putting in an app for a new Hells Kitchen 1BR that's like $2950 using a broker.

I saw "livable" although not as big or nice 1BR's in HK for closer to 2500-2600 fwiw.

[Nebby]

Broseph, you can get "studios worth living in" for 2.5 to 2.6k in UES

E.g., http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/nfb/5670439174.html

[sublime]

Broseph, you can get "studios worth living in" for 2.5 to 2.6k in UES

E.g., http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/nfb/5670439174.html

Goddamn it.

I really wish the East side was an option for me.

[Nebby]

Broseph, you can get "studios worth living in" for 2.5 to 2.6k in UES

E.g., http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/nfb/5670439174.html

Goddamn it.

I really wish the East side was an option for me.

If only there was public transit and roads in NY. What a fucking 3rd world country!!!

[sublime]

Broseph, you can get "studios worth living in" for 2.5 to 2.6k in UES

E.g., http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/nfb/5670439174.html

Goddamn it.

I really wish the East side was an option for me.

If only there was public transit and roads in NY. What a fucking 3rd world country!!!

Getting East to West side and back daily would be kind of a bitch. Obviously it would be doable, but not worth the extra hassle.

[Nebby]

Broseph, you can get "studios worth living in" for 2.5 to 2.6k in UES

E.g., http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/nfb/5670439174.html

Goddamn it.

I really wish the East side was an option for me.

If only there was public transit and roads in NY. What a fucking 3rd world country!!!

Getting East to West side and back daily would be kind of a bitch. Obviously it would be doable, but not worth the extra hassle.

I guess you and I have a different definition of "a bitch" in terms of public transit.

[sublime]

Idk. I don't think wanting a 30ish min commute or less is unreasonable. Or if slightly above it being on one train.

[Nebby]

Idk. I don't think wanting a 30ish min commute or less is unreasonable. Or if slightly above it being on one train.

True. You can still get nice studios in UWS between $2600-2800

E.g. http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/abo/5707855970.html

[sublime]

Idk. I don't think wanting a 30ish min commute or less is unreasonable. Or if slightly above it being on one train.

True. You can still get nice studios in UWS between $2600-2800

E.g. http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/abo/5707855970.html

Yea, I mean I posted in this thread that I applied to a nicer 2950 1br in Hk. But it just seems like the east side is cheaper for nicer than the west side.

[Nebby]

Idk. I don't think wanting a 30ish min commute or less is unreasonable. Or if slightly above it being on one train.

True. You can still get nice studios in UWS between $2600-2800

E.g. http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/abo/5707855970.html

Yea, I mean I posted in this thread that I applied to a nicer 2950 1br in Hk. But it just seems like the east side is cheaper for nicer than the west side.

HK is really nice! I love the restaurants

[sublime]

Idk. I don't think wanting a 30ish min commute or less is unreasonable. Or if slightly above it being on one train.

True. You can still get nice studios in UWS between $2600-2800

E.g. http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/abo/5707855970.html

Yea, I mean I posted in this thread that I applied to a nicer 2950 1br in Hk. But it just seems like the east side is cheaper for nicer than the west side.

HK is really nice! I love the restaurants

Awesome! Assuming I get the apt you will have to send me recs!

[Nebby]

Idk. I don't think wanting a 30ish min commute or less is unreasonable. Or if slightly above it being on one train.

True. You can still get nice studios in UWS between $2600-2800

E.g. http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/abo/5707855970.html

Yea, I mean I posted in this thread that I applied to a nicer 2950 1br in Hk. But it just seems like the east side is cheaper for nicer than the west side.

HK is really nice! I love the restaurants

Awesome! Assuming I get the apt you will have to send me recs!

Omg yes. There is a place on 9th and 53rd that has LITERALLY the best French toast I've ever had for brunch. I'll find the name and send it to you

[fistfullofdollhairs]

Omg yes. There is a place on 9th and 53rd that has LITERALLY the best French toast I've ever had for brunch. I'll find the name and send it to you

Please share with the class. I want to go to there.

[Nebby]

Omg yes. There is a place on 9th and 53rd that has LITERALLY the best French toast I've ever had for brunch. I'll find the name and send it to you

Please share with the class. I want to go to there.

It's called The Jones. Banana Pecan French Toast

[HankBashir]

This is kinda outdated, since it assumes you're making $160k (if your firm moved to 180), but here's a nice budget for more aggressive debt repayment: http://abovethelaw.com/career-files/bud ... rt-1-160k/

As for me, I'm living with two friends in HK, $7660 split between the three of us, and we get two months free rent. I'm excited

[Nebby]

This is kinda outdated, since it assumes you're making $160k (if your firm moved to 180), but here's a nice budget for more aggressive debt repayment: http://abovethelaw.com/career-files/bud ... rt-1-160k/

As for me, I'm living with two friends in HK, $7660 split between the three of us, and we get two months free rent. I'm excited

Holy shit. Is it a pent house?

[Rahviveh]

Omg yes. There is a place on 9th and 53rd that has LITERALLY the best French toast I've ever had for brunch. I'll find the name and send it to you

Please share with the class. I want to go to there.

It's called The Jones. Banana Pecan French Toast

Budget advice: don't spend 15$ on French toast

[Nebby]

Omg yes. There is a place on 9th and 53rd that has LITERALLY the best French toast I've ever had for brunch. I'll find the name and send it to you

Please share with the class. I want to go to there.

It's called The Jones. Banana Pecan French Toast

Budget advice: don't spend 15$ on French toast

Thankfully it's $12.50

[cardinal23]

I currently live in NYC. If you really want to live on the UWS or in Hell's Kitchen you're going to have to pay a decent amount. However you don't necessarily have to go all the way up to $3k+. My friend got a nice (albeit small, only half kitchen) 1br apartment in a doorman building practically in Times Square for about $2500. I think now she pays around $2700 for a really nice 1br closer to Columbus Circle. Getting a roommate or two in a 2-3 br apartment would undoubtedly be cheaper- if you'd prefer a roommate you should go for it. My brother pays $1800 pp for a 2br, decently sized, with a doorman.

I personally live in Queens, about 30 minutes from midtown, and only pay $1600 a month for a HUGE 1br. It's a shitty building but a good area. So if you adjust your expectations re boroughs you can save even more.

[HankBashir]

This is kinda outdated, since it assumes you're making $160k (if your firm moved to 180), but here's a nice budget for more aggressive debt repayment: http://abovethelaw.com/career-files/bud ... rt-1-160k/

As for me, I'm living with two friends in HK, $7660 split between the three of us, and we get two months free rent. I'm excited

Holy shit. Is it a pent house?

Nah, but it's one of those luxury buildings with mad perks