[mzd348]

> $45k is not a livable wage anywhere within an hour commute of Manhattan

I think $45k comes out to a take-home of about $2800 per month. I see ads on craigslist for 2-bedroom apartments in Brooklyn in the 2000-3000 range, and 3-bedroom apartments also in Brooklyn in the 3000-4000 range, either of those seem reasonable with a $2800 take-home. Of course it means having roommates.

[valarauko]

You don't even necessarily need roommates - I make about this much, and live in a 1 bedroom all to myself in an Outer Borough. Midtown is a 30-minute commute.