<prompt> Human: Im 28 and a recent transplant from South America. Me and my wife live in New York City and we make about 140K a year.We will probably want to have kids in a few years. We havent saved up much until now and Id like to start saving enough to comfortably raise kids and our own retirement obviously.Id like to make a budget for the next few years, but Im very lost with all the costs of education, daycare healthcare, etc., It looks like the most expensive things will be daycare, housing and college.Is there anyone who raised kids in a big city, and who can share a budget or point me in the right direction to some resources?Thank you so much for reading this!-Johnny  <response>: My husband and I have a 3 year old. Our income is approx 160k. It would be more if I worked full time, but I had an opportunity to stay at home with my son and still work part time. The extra income including the cost of day care would have been approx 1kmo but Im happy having the opportunity to stay home with my son. Move some place kid-friendly and affordable, where you dont have to sweat over private schools. Day care costs can incredibly vary - I know some people who pay 5kmo and some who pay 1600. It entirely depends on the area. Affordable, good neighborhoods I recommend: Riverdale Bx, Sunnyside Qns, Forest Hills Qns, Ridgewood BKQns, Bay Ridge BK. I live in Sunnyside and its ridiculously family friendly here - while still offering bars, restaurants, and Manhattan access 15 min to Grand Central. Most people I know pay around 2500 for a nice size 2 bedroom but you can find cheaper. Elementary schools are quite good junior high and high less so. The local Mom groups are ridiculously active and so its easy to socialize with a child. We even have a play space that serves alcohol amd has Friday happy hours. Anyway, because of its affordability, my husband and I are saving fully in the 529 college savings program, retirement, etc. I believe full time day care around her runs about 2kmo but day cares usually dont take younger than 6 month olds. Local nannies are plentiful around here and can run you anywhere from 10-17hr depending on if you are willing to do drop off or in-home. I am working more lately and have found that my local nanny is more affordable and flexible than the day care so Im not planning on sending my son to nursery school until pre-4k. 