Mullet:
Have you joined Socialserviceforum.com yet? This is a good site for people interested in the human services field in NYC. There is a board where I've seen people list they are looking for potential roommates. I also agree with Russ, where is the job located? There are also nice parts in the Northern and Eastern Bronx where the rents are cheaper. It will probably take you longer to get to work though. The further you get from the city (where cheaper rents are) the longer the commute. Also the farther from Manhattan, the less stuff is around such as stores and restaurants so you may want to think about having a car (more expenses cuz of NY insurance-close to $400 a month) unless you don't mind waiting for a bus at midnite. Honestly my best advice would be to try to look in the outer boros or for a roommate. I have a friend working in non-profit as well making $30,000 (before taxes) a year. He lives in Manhattan and his rent (not including utilities) is $1200 a month and that is WITH a roommate. So do the math and you can see he has very little after he pays for his rent. When will the job start? Also remember that getting an apartment (with or without a roommate) often involves paying first and last month's rent, not to mention a broker fee (which most people end up resorting to in NYC). My last friend I know who got an apartment in Manhattan paid close to $6000 in just first months, last months and fees to the broker before he even moved into his apartment. Manhattan is a great place to live IF you have money but if not, it is going to be very difficult to live and make ends meet. You don't want to be stressed out because of this. You can live well like the majority of New Yorkers by living in the outer boros. I know that unless I marry into money, as a Social Worker, I most likely will never be able to live independently in Manhattan. It's a sad reality but not many people want to be in their mid-late 20's and past that living with roommates. One of my sister's is a Social Worker and she lives in mid-town with 3 other roommates. They all have their own room and get along well enough but she is still pretty unhappy. I don't want to sound negative or discourage you but I hear of way too many people that don't make $$$$ who have never really experienced life in NY have false dreams that they are going to be able to live well in Manhattan. It's just not going to happen. Look at all the people coming here from other countries with that idea. So many of them are living 4++ in studio apts. in bad sections of the boros and they can barely make ends meet. Again feel free to PM me
