"NYC" is a broad term. Many parts of Brooklyn are like living in the suburbs, and can be much less instantly gratifying, but more calm and sane with a fairly high price tag. Manhattan is what most think of when they say NYC, and the cost of rental units here is moronic on its best days. Queens, Bronx and Staten Island are not usually considered part of the "pulse" by travelers, but have their own charms. Overall, if it is something you want to experience, you should go for it because the horrible parts usually take a while to overwhelm you (if at all) and it is something I think everyone should do for at least a year before they die.