<prompt> Human: Theres a chance I could be taking a job in Manhattan. The rent there seems way too high for my expected salary 72-79k. I also know taxes are higher in NYC. I was thinking of living in New Jersey, Long Island, or the northern suburbs but I also know theres a high city tax in Yonkers. My investment goals are the following: 1 put at least 300 a month into my 403b to max out my employer matching, 2 max out my Roth IRA at 458 per month, 3 contribute 275 for an HSA, assuming I qualify for one, pay around a 100 for health care premium.Total: 1133I have zero credit card debt but 14k in student loans at 4.75 which will fall to about 3.75 or so if I make X amount of minimum payments in a row I think 24 payments. Essentially 200 per month will be my minimum payment.Total: 200Other necessary costs I foresee are: 60 for internet, 80 for cell phone, 400 for groceries, 40 for utilities, and 50 per month for car insurance would get rid of car if I moved to the city. These are my current rates and I know they could go up in NYC. Total: 330Grand total: 1663Heres the tricky part. Do I try and live in the city and get rid of the car but get gauged on rent, or do I try and save 500-1000 per month in rent. I know financially I should save on the rent. But I am not familiar enough with NYC to know just how bad the commute would be from the more affordable rentals. Similarly, I think the tax rates are a tad lower in Jersey and outside of the city. Im guessing my take home pay will be around 3,900 403b, etc. hasnt been taken out of this estimate yet, thats why Ive included it in my expenses above. If this were the case, Id be left with about 2200 for rent, other expenses, other investmentsavings opportunities.Total left for rent, other expenses, other investmentsavings opportunities: 2200Part of the problem is I wont have an offer till FebruaryMarch, so I cant give specifics on my salary. So, what advice does rpersonalfinance have for me? Assistant: Dont plan to commute by car. You will despise it and want to leave. Your salary is not mega bucks, but many people thrive in the city on much less. Most of them have roommates or family, of course. Your investment goals are laudably much more ambitious than most people, which makes things tighter in the short term. I suggest looking for a 3 month or so furnished sublet in Brooklyn, Queens, or Manhattan for your initial move here. This can be found on Craigslist. Once youre here, get a feeling for different boroughs and neighborhoods, figure out what you like. New York is expensive in many ways, but cheap in others. The same cost of living math doesnt apply, particularly if you are single. Give New York a shot on its own terms, and you will be pleasantly surprised. Human: New York is expensive in many ways, but cheap in others. The same cost of living math doesnt apply, particularly if you are single. I guess this is precisely what Im trying to figure out.  <response>: Heres an example. You think you want a 2 car garage, dishwasher, laundry in your house, 2 bedrooms, no roommates because thats what youre used to. To get this in NYC is 97 trillion dollars per month, or a 2 hour a commute. Instead, you have no car, a 100 metro card, you drop off laundry across the street and someone else does it for you for 20, you dont cook as much so not having a dishwasher is no big deal really great takeout is available for cheap, and whatever you did in your extra bedroom music studio? study lounge? you find public free or rentable places as alternatives. 