Going to live in New York City

[slpaulson]

I think you are going to need to get a 2nd job.
Seriously, $6 is ****** even in the middle of Wisconsin. I make more than that working at a damn cafeteria.

 

[Mellow]

I think many of you are missing the point. As an intern, $6 is what you make. No one interns for years, unless your terrible, unmotivated, and a pain in the ass. I'm also not looking to get into the industry to make money. It's something I have a passion for, and am willing to give up a few comforts for.

For the first stretch of time when I'm acclimating myself, and working towards a job advancement, I'd be willing to forgo the "the wonders the city has to offer"

 

[43st]

The recording industry in NYC was cut off at the knees in 2001. I was a AV engineer here at that time and it was tough, low pay, no raises, no other work to be found. People were flocking out of the recording sector and trying to find work anywhere they could. Do you honestly think you can compete with the remaining veteran engineers? In NYC no less? I'm sorry but everything you've listed means nothing here, you either make people cash or you don't, and you're solidly in the "you don't" category. If you think you're going anywhere with an NYC internship and no education you're in for a rude awakening.

You'd be better off in live sound, if anything. And that's even a big unknown without any education. Do yourself a huge favor and go to school.

 

[syzygy]

$600 for rent . . . only ?

- if you are willing to share a multi-bed apartment you could pay that little.
- perhaps some dingy basement studio in the nether reaches of an outlying borough.
- or a single room that an building owner lets, which means sharing bathroom. kitchen, and other basics with the 'tenants'

the subway 30 day unlimited card (with free transfer to city buses) is now 84.00 per month. if your company provides transit checks (pre-tax dollars), cost per month is less

your utlity expenses will be less than what you've tabulated IF you share an apartment and cut back on the cable bill.

you can do away with telephone service with a pre-paid cell that you employ sparingly, though there are some yearly plans for under 20.00 per month.

health insurance can be had for much less per month, especially if you're not engaged in any risky behaviors.

 

[EPCrew]

Metrocard is $76/month unlimited. You won't be eating for less than $10/day unless you stick to dollar menus and tap water every day.

Unless you rent and share a small studio in NYC, there really isn't much of a chance of being able to afford $600/month for rent within manhattan. Ok, maybe I lied. You could apply for low income housing. most apartment buildings (even full service luxury) will have a section for low income. They base your rent off of your annual salary and there's a cap. You would have to submit your name into a lottery for that.

Just an example, I know people renting 2BR in a low income apt and pay only $1200. That's the cap for the whole building.

60 hours a week with no overtime? Even at $6/hour, it's still not much but the OT might help out a little.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Mellow
I think many of you are missing the point. As an intern, $6 is what you make. No one interns for years, unless your terrible, unmotivated, and a pain in the ass. I'm also not looking to get into the industry to make money. It's something I have a passion for, and am willing to give up a few comforts for.

For the first stretch of time when I'm acclimating myself, and working towards a job advancement, I'd be willing to forgo the "the wonders the city has to offer"

No, you are missing the point. Most interns dont move from the sticks to NYC with dreams of surviving making only 6 an hour. Money wouldnt be a factor if you were living at home, but you asked if you will be able to survive in NYC making chump change. Judging by your posts, I wouldnt give you a month before you ran home. I dont mean to sound harsh, but someone has to be honest with you.

 

[EPCrew]

Originally posted by: syzygy
$600 for rent . . . only ?

- if you are willing to share a multi-bed apartment you could pay that little.
- perhaps some dingy basement studio in the nether reaches of an outlying borough.
- or a single room that an building owner lets, which means sharing bathroom. kitchen, and other basics with the 'tenants'

the subway 30 day unlimited card (with free transfer to city buses) is now 84.00 per month. if your company provides transit checks (pre-tax dollars), cost per month is less

your utlity expenses will be less than what you've tabulated IF you share an apartment and cut back on the cable bill.

you can do away with telephone service with a pre-paid cell that you employ sparingly, though there are some yearly plans for under 20.00 per month.

health insurance can be had for much less per month, especially if you're not engaged in any risky behaviors.

How is it $84/month? Since when? I currently use the 30 day unlimited and only pay $76.

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mta/news/public/fares/nyct.htm

 

[Mellow]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: Mellow
I think many of you are missing the point. As an intern, $6 is what you make. No one interns for years, unless your terrible, unmotivated, and a pain in the ass. I'm also not looking to get into the industry to make money. It's something I have a passion for, and am willing to give up a few comforts for.

For the first stretch of time when I'm acclimating myself, and working towards a job advancement, I'd be willing to forgo the "the wonders the city has to offer"

No, you are missing the point. Most interns dont move from the sticks to NYC with dreams of surviving making only 6 an hour. Money wouldnt be a factor if you were living at home, but you asked if you will be able to survive in NYC making chump change. Judging by your posts, I wouldnt give you a month before you ran home. I dont mean to sound harsh, but someone has to be honest with you.

Judging by my posts? What kind of crap is that? I don't recall asking to be personally judged in my OP, especially not by my "internet forum posts"

I was merely asking as to the costs of living, and a comparison to my estimates. I wasn't looking for criticism regarding my career choice, background, and motivation. I live in Philadelphia by the way. The sticks indeed.

 

[halik]

NO. FVCKING. WAY.

There's no way... NO WAY you'll make it more than 5 months.

<-lives in nyc

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: PAB

Originally posted by: Mellow
Alright. Some background:

A year from now, I'll be nineteen, and I plan on moving to New York City to intern at a recording studio. Because of connections I have, we can make the following assumption:

-- I will be able to get an internship, and work ~ 60 hours a week @ $6/hr for 50 weeks/yr

This means
$18,000/yr less %20 for taxes = An income of $14,400/year.
By this time next year, I will have $10,00 saved to get me started, before I move. This ives me a total income of $~25,000 for the first year

I have considered the following expenses

Rent $600/month $7200/year
1st month/ security $1,200/year for 1 year
Subway (@ $2 2x/day) $112/month $1,456/year
Health Insurance $200/month $2,400/year
Food $75/week $3,900/year
Laundry $25/month $300/year
Personal Items $50/month $600/year
Entertainment $100/month $1,250/year
Utilities $150/month $1,800/year
Clothing $250/year
Miscellaneous $20/week $1,000/year

This brings me to a total of ==================== $~21,365

Keep in mind the following:

-My place of work will be in Manhattan, and I don't really care where I live, as long as I can be assured relative safety, and a 35 minute or less commute

-I plan on getting some kind of roommate senario, and sharing an apartment, so I won't have my own place.

- Assuming I work 60 hours/week, I won't have much time for anything else.

My feelings on my numbers:

-I think I can eat for a lot less than $10/day.
-Just from a quick scan of local adds, I've seen that finding a place in the Bronx/Queens for less than $750/month (rent/utilities) is pretty commonplace
- I can sacrifice in-room internet and cable television, but have tried to account for some sort of cell phone plan under utilities.
-I think I could probably cut out most of untertainment with strong willpower.
-Health insurance is really a ballpark.
- After my first year, I expect to make some kind of pay raise

I'd like any input/advice/anything anyone can offer. Thanks!

20% for taxes?

I think you're underestimating this because you have to pay federal income, medicare, SS, etc which worked out to around 23% for one of my still punching the clock friends, plus NY state income tax, plus city tax (Yes, NYC taxes your income).

You can get an unlimited metrocard for $78/month and I don't think theres any way in hell you will be able to get health insurance for $200. Probably closer to $400 with a group rate.

You will not have a 35 minute or less commute to midtown manhattan with an apartment that's $600 a month. No way, no how.

My short term medical insurance is $100 a month.. From Health Plan Administrators.

 

[Nerva]

wtf, i lived in nyc for 10 years and its the sh1t. now that i live in philly, its a sh1thole compared to nyc. and dont ever call it the big apple either, you might get stabbed.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Mellow
To get a job in my field of choice (audio engineer), a college degree isn't so important as a general understanding of the technology and processes of recording.

You're full of it, acoustic engineering is a 4 year BSE program at any good engineering school.

General understanding of the technology = BULLSH!T. Try digital signal processing, four years of calc and enough fourier series to make you vomit... get your ass back to school asap.

 

[Kevin1211]

Topic Title: Going to live in New York City
Topic Summary: Will I be able to survive?

maybe if u get an apartment in a housing project...

 

[Mellow]

I've been taking college level Music Technology courses for the last year or so via Drexel University. I've also interned in/around local studios. Except for physical studio time, I don't see my knowledge of the field any less than should be expected from a beginning level job.

 

[akubi]

rofl, dude even hobos make more than 6 bucks an hour in nyc

 

[Oblivionaire]

If they're paying you only 6 an hour you're a gopher not an audio engineer. Your so called connections just want to use you for eerands for low pay. And no you can't live in NYC on 6 an hour, sorry to bust your dreams but better you find out about it before committing to anything and getting screwed later.

 

[EPCrew]

60 hours a week at recording studio. You can get a weekend job flipping burgers at Mickey D's, or maybe a weekend sales position at Best Buy or something. If you don't plan on having a social life, you might as well work your ass off just to pay rent.

 

[elmro]

If you live on Staten Island you can actually get a really nice place (with roommates) in your range. Of course, you will be riding a bus for 15 minutes to the ferry, taking a 1/2 hour ferry, and then riding the subway for 1/2 an hour to midtown. It is what it is, but you don't have to live in a closet if you don't want to.

 

[Brackis]

I lived off of $14,000 a year in the San Francisco bay area, which is as expensive, for one year.
Drop me a PM or IM if you wanna chat.

 

[Mellow]

Originally posted by: EPCrew
60 hours a week at recording studio. You can get a weekend job flipping burgers at Mickey D's, or maybe a weekend sales position at Best Buy or something. If you don't plan on having a social life, you might as well work your ass off just to pay rent.

I'd have no problem doing something like this, and have considered a second job just to help out.

 

[Lifted]

You're getting robbed.

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprot...on/laborstandards/workprot/lshmpg.shtm

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

The New York State minimum wage increased to $6.00 per hour as of January 1, 2005. It will increase to $6.75 per hour as of January 1, 2006 and to $7.15 per hour as of January 1, 2007. Any increase in the federal wage above the state rate will result in an increase in the state's minimum wage.


And no, you cannot live on your own in NYC earning $6 an hour unless you apply for welfare, section 8, food stamps, etc.

 

[halik]

Honestly anyone with a half bit of sense will tell you to take your 10K and spend it on tuition. No college degree = no money and difficult time obtaining employment. Why should I hire you where there's a ton of real engineers applying for the same position?

 

[Mellow]

Originally posted by: Lifted
You're getting robbed.

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprot...on/laborstandards/workprot/lshmpg.shtm

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

The New York State minimum wage increased to $6.00 per hour as of January 1, 2005. It will increase to $6.75 per hour as of January 1, 2006 and to $7.15 per hour as of January 1, 2007. Any increase in the federal wage above the state rate will result in an increase in the state's minimum wage.


And no, you cannot live on your own in NYC earning $6 an hour unless you apply for welfare, section 8, food stamps, etc.

There are a lot of you saying this, but not a lot of you saying why. I've tallied up the figures in my OP. What among them do you find flawed? Where have I gone wrong? That's the advice I'm really looking for.

As for the minimum wage, I'm sure I'd be working for whatever is legal. I know $6 was what interns were making a year ago, and I assumed the minimum wage hadn't changed. Thanks for that though, that's something to consider

 

[JS80]

lol you're 19 and poor, why do you need health insurance?

 

[Pastore]

Don't listen to these guys. People have survived on less. Hell, if you're poor and hungry enough just start a blog and put some google ads on it and ask for donations. You could always run home to mom and dad if you were starving anyways. Live a little!

The people who are saying you can't do it are probably the ones who wouldn't be able to live without their HDTVs and $2,000 laptops.