> you aren’t spending your nights sitting at home watching Netflix

You are though, most nights too, because there might be a million options but a normal person needs to rest and recharge at home a lot of the time.

I imagine disposable income is needed for some of those activities as well. Paying 3k for rent probably limits your options.

> Paying 3k for rent probably limits your options

It’s around $2k after adjusting for not having to own a car [1]. Also, a solo studio is a luxurious way to live in New York. If you’re economising, you get roommates.

[1] https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/analysis/costs-of-c....

> It’s around $2k after adjusting for not having to own a car

You didn't add in the cost of taxis and trains.

> Also, a solo studio is a luxurious way to live in New York

A cramped crappy apartment with no bedroom is not luxurious just because it's more expensive than a crappier shared apartment with no bedroom.

> didn't add in the cost of taxis and trains

Sure, add back $200/month. It’s still night and day to owning a private car.

> cramped crappy apartment with no bedroom is not luxurious just because it's more expensive than a crappier shared apartment with no bedroom

I mean, my friend’s $5mm new build skipped on radiant heating. (And the marble was cut mid seam!) Clearly not luxury, eh?

In this case, the cost premium is prima facie evidence of private living conditions’ luxury.

Depending on where you live, you can get around in NYC just by using the subway for ~$100/month, and it's subsidized by most employers.

I’m blown away at that stat. Averaged over ten years I’ve paid less than half that for two cars. My cars are crap, but wow is that high.

Edit: averaged over ten years and a week my numbers will look different, as my car was stolen this morning.

> […] numbers will look different, as my car was stolen this morning.

Recognizing the limitations of an Internet comment, I’m sincerely sorry you need to deal with the headache of a stolen vehicle.

This is similar to the stats about Manhattan apartments though. Normal people aren’t paying 3k/mo to live in Manhattan. The 3k/mo people are the same ones that would be spending 1k/mo on their cars if they lived somewhere else

If you are doing that most nights (and I mean with zero other activities planned), then you’re better off living somewhere else, yes.

But, can't you commute to all those places from half an hour away?

What about 10-15 min, just one wrist?

Mental health engineering right there