Is NYC still worth it if you're single and mid-30s? Between being frugal throughout my 20s, living in cheaper cities, and some investments that have done well, I'm pretty financially well-off on paper, but I don't earn a super high wage (TC is ~$225K). I feel like my youth is running away from me and I'm intrigued by the idea of living in NYC, but am worried about the COL. Are there good middle grounds between Manhattan and a commute that still are fun for single 30-somethings? TIA!

Might be a bit of a contrarian take, but it totally depends on your personality.

What makes NYC great is the sheer diversity of cuisines, bars, people, and arts in a small space. However, for that to matter you need to be the kind of person that actually likes to often eat and go out or visit museums, plays, etc.

You’re also paying a considerable premium to enjoy that in NYC, so if you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to go out, cooks daily, doesn’t often visit museums / Broadway shows. enjoys their space, or is a big nature / outdoorsy type of person, not sure you’re going to get good value in NYC vs other big but cheaper U.S. cities like a Chicago.

You only live once. I asked myself at 28 if I should go be a ski bum for a couple years. But what about my career!? The answer was yes, zero regrets. In my early 20's I wondered whether I should keep the job I hated or go follow the Grateful Dead around for a while. I chose the latter. Zero regrets. In my 40's I wondered if I should take a job that allowed me to surf every day or take more money but move into the heart of Silicon Valley. I chose the former. Zero regrets. After a divorce in my 40's, I had a house, a great job, and tons of potential to accumulate more stock and get promotions. I'd always wanted to travel but thought selling everything and taking off seemed a bit risky. After about 10 minutes of thinking about it and weighing my options and having lunch with a friend who made a ton of money and had a wife and kids and a great house and was miserable, I bought a one way ticket to Mexico (and then kept going south). Most of the stuff I got rid of I didn't need anyway and didn't miss any of it. zero regrets. 18 months later I came back and found a pretty good job. Then an opportunity came up to move to Amsterdam to try and make a go of a relationship with a Dutch woman I met while traveling. No job, no idea what I was going to do. But what about my career!? I moved, zero regrets. When we decided to part ways I thought about returning to the US because I had a couple warm leads on jobs. I thought it was prudent to pursue them. Or I could stay in Europe and travel for a few months. I chose the latter. Zero regrets. Now I'm 60 with another great job that I'm using to stuff my retirement accounts (because I also never had any debt). So you do you. But you only live once. Retirement is boring. Travel and live in cool places when you're young. Work when you're old, and have zero regrets.

I say this respectfully and not from a judgy place, but unless you have to move here for a job, NYC does not need more transplants jacking up prices and taking over spaces.

If you want to come here, come with a grander purpose rather than just personal enjoyment and FOMO that lets you leave when you get what you wanted out of the city. Do not just be a consumer. Contribute, participate, volunteer, create, etc.

"I don't earn a super high wage (TC is ~$225K)."

Is this a serious inquiry or did you just want us all to know you make 225K? You know damn well that 225K is a super high wage, particularly if that doesn't include investment income, which the way you wrote it suggests. Many people renting in Manhattan make half that.

Also, if you don't yet live in NYC and presumably would have to get a job there, you really don't know what your TC is but I assume your moving there is incumbent upon obtaining a position that would pay you at least the same TC, but most people want an increase in TC if they are switching jobs. This is why I find it hard to take this post seriously but I imagine you are just really wondering if 225K would be sufficient for living in NYC, but I find it hard to believe you really wouldn't know that it is (you could easily look it up instead of asking here).

MYC is a city in serious decline anyway so even f you could afford it it would be a dumb move in my opinion. If you just want to hang out in Manhattan regularly you would be much better off living in New Jersey or Long Island or one of the outer boroughs (Staten Island would be the cheapest and most suburban with easy access to Manhattan). Still overpriced but a fraction of the COL of Manhattan.

Do research thoroughly before relocating!

NYC is the bet grew up in the Bronx City is way better than when I grew up. Fun is NYC's middle name. If you want excitement pack your bags today. The city never sleeps as I experienced in the 80's walking in the city at 4AM. Fortunately met love of my life there. From there choose where you want to go next if you want to start the family life. Your options are only limited by the bandwidth of your imagination.

Some food for thought.

I lived in NYC for 15 years from early 20s to mid 30s before moving out.

If you are single you want to be where the most young people are. That is going to be nyc. But it depends on how high you value that. Given you are single and with that income you can be living comfortably(necessities, savings,investments, ability to spend on entertainment)in manhattan unless you have some other debt.

All other things being equal a middle ground would be Hoboken or jersey city.. costs are going up everywhere but its lower than nyc and no city income tax which is close to 4% at your income bracket. The commute to mid town is no different than. getting on a subway. Especially if you live towards the path trains which run all the time. Hoboken especially towards the path has young 20 somethings the demographics get older as you go north.

Live in Jersey and visit NYC when you get the urge.