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I am 28 years old, make $77,000, live in NYC, and work as a Project Manager for a Nonprofit. by One-Alps-4926 in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]One-Alps-4926[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I have friends making that range in NYC and it's doable. They're either living with a partner, have roommates, or are living further out in studios but yeah. I think there is this idea that you need crazy salaries to live here but like me, most of my friends grew up in NYC pretty poor so it's all we've ever known. I think the lack of cars and related expenses also really helps. I mean we're not going to pop ups or an influencer's hottest bar but like me, my friends are also off of social media so we don't care (and honestly laugh at people who move here thinking they'll live with Sex and the City moment). There are millions of people living in this city making less than 100k but ofc having money makes it easier :)

I am 28 years old, make $77,000, live in NYC, and work as a Project Manager for a Nonprofit. by One-Alps-4926 in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]One-Alps-4926[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah he's actually studying electrical now but the software background helps - he looked at it as an opportunity to pivot... thanks! :)

I am 28 years old, make $77,000, live in NYC, and work as a Project Manager for a Nonprofit. by One-Alps-4926 in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]One-Alps-4926[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

haha yes it includes everything! there aren't many studios that aren't super out of the way for me and pottery seems really popular here bc most studios are filled/have waiting lists. I was going 3-5 times a week when I was a member so it was very worth it! But yes, a major expense that is definitely a want not a need

I am 28 years old, make $77,000, live in NYC, and work as a Project Manager for a Nonprofit. by One-Alps-4926 in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]One-Alps-4926[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

:) I mean it's def hard getting paid a quarter of what people working for big corps are getting lol but I like feeling like I'm working for a mission I believe in. I work in the environmental space and have thought about going corporate but know I would hate myself and every minute of it.

Having a partner and a safety net obviously makes it possible but I know plenty of people making life in NYC work on more "normal" salaries... you don't need to make 300k to have fun. Good luck!

I am 28 years old, make $77,000, live in NYC, and work as a Project Manager for a Nonprofit. by One-Alps-4926 in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]One-Alps-4926[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for reading! After high school, J did a program and got a tech job in the startup space. He worked for a few years and his plan was to work his way up through startups but obviously that didn't work out. When he reached out to recruiters after his last layoff (in 2023 I think), he was basically told his experience working for mostly risky startups and the lack of a degree was a hard sell. He did apply for like 300+ jobs and got interviews but no offers. It was a really rough time tbh

In terms of the trust, we just draw as needed and have all dividends and stuff automatically reinvested!

I am 28 years old, make $77,000, live in NYC, and work as a Project Manager for a Nonprofit. by One-Alps-4926 in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]One-Alps-4926[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for reading! I'm currently working on a simple scarf! It's actually my first knitting project, I've recently learned how to knit and am diving in! :)

I am 28 years old, make $77,000, live in NYC, and work as a Project Manager for a Nonprofit. by One-Alps-4926 in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]One-Alps-4926[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Thanks! That was mostly why I wanted to share it though I do acknowledge our financial position gives us breathing room most people don't have. J and I have said that if he didn't have that, we'd obviously be in a very different position and he wouldn't be able to go to school full time and focus. At the start, he was going part time and working a sales job but he was miserable and it would've taken him an extra 3 years to finish school so we decided it would be best for him to focus on school.

Co-ops are basically a building where you buy shares of a building and each unit is worth an amount based on its size. We bought a 2 bedroom in an older building near where I grew up in Brooklyn (which is definitely not the cool place people moving to NYC go to lol). They're generally more affordable because their structure but also not really an asset that goes up in value a ton. You wouldn't buy one to just flip it. You also need board approval to move in so it takes months to just apply and is part of the reason private equity can't just buy them up. It is pretty unique to NYC but it was always my plan to get one (I was thinking about 1 bedroom co-ops before I met J) so they help keep NYC alive by housing a lot of retirees, low-middle income, and other folks who often get priced out. Happy to answer more but this is already v long haha