[gyardley]

Comfy depends on your version of comfy. I'd want to make at least $100K, myself, but I'm softer than some.

Depending on where you'll be working in Manhattan, you may want to also consider Hoboken, New Jersey. It's a walkable city and for the same amount of rent, the commute on the PATH train is often much shorter than the equivalent subway commute from the boroughs. The PATH train's a fair bit nicer, too.

Don't live anywhere that feels sketchy in order to save on rent. Not because it's unsafe - NYC is pretty safe these days - but because it's another source of stress when you're adjusting, especially if you're moving with a partner who doesn't have a job yet. New city + iffy-feeling neighborhood + no job = hard on a relationship.

Wherever you live, you're likely to pay more money for less space and less amenities than you had before. My advice: immediately start taking advantage of services like Fresh Direct and your local wash-and-fold. Dragging laundry to the laundromat and shopping in tiny, crowded supermarkets can bring a lot of new arrivals down. Especially, again, if these tasks are being done by a partner with no job yet.

[blah123]

Thanks for you thorough answer. Like you said I definitely wouldn't rent a shady place for a cheaper price. Most of my co-workers are from New Jerseys so I could look around in NJ too. In "Fresh Direct and your local wash-and-fold" do you mean out source the laundry? Thanks again