Greater NYC vs SF Bay Area rent
I’m moving to NYC, and naturally curious about the rent comparison btw NYC and Bay Area. To me NYC is considerably cheaper because NYC is way bigger city with many options + great public transport system. Majority of people would choose to live at Queens and ~1500$ rent could get you a not-too-bad apartment at Queens, and just spent 30-40mins on subway, where you could still enjoy reading or working. Am I correct? While in Bay Area, you can only drive, waste time, and limited space/resources for apartments make rent super high. But outside scene and weather of course SF beats NYC. So if in future I’d like to stay in NYC long-term, where to buy house? Long Island and NJ?
Haha don’t count on a leisurely ride on the train. Queens isn’t a bad area to live but depending how deep you go it can get more difficult to get to Manhattan or Brooklyn and you’ll rarely be able to talk your friends into coming out there to hang out. There is a lot of great food in Queens and throughout NYC. Winters can be freezing cold and summers can be ridiculously hot and humid. But there is always something to do in NYC, it’s much more exciting than the Bay. Since none of us know you or your preferences it’d be hard to recommend where you should consider long term, you should just make sure to visit the different areas yourself. The neighborhoods vary a lot. Personally I’d never even consider moving to Long Island or NJ.
Adding to this - also dont expect the trains to be on time or run smoothly. Often 40 mins will turn into 2 hours because of delays
Bay Area has better weather, jobs and produce if that's important to you.
You can get an apartment in San Jose for fairly cheap and real estate is cooling down rn.
NYC is a lot cheaper, bay surpassed it years ago.
Thanks guys. Also I’m gay. Which place has more high-quality gay men?
NYC area has more options and opportunities to save or find good value. If you want to save on city tax, rent in JC or Hoboken. To avoid high property tax, don't buy in NJ, Westchester, or LI. Also infrequent and costly commute options. You are better off paying city tax with low property tax when you buy in the city limits. SF weather is not great. Overcast in the summer, rain and high temp swings day to night. South Bay has great weather but is too far in commute time to be concidered part of SF from my experience. NY weather is not consistent or predictable, but you get all seasons.
Contrary to popular belief California does get all the seasons. The South Bay however has a Mediterranean climate so our winter's are mild.
So nyc has high city tax, while nj has high property tax?
Lots of awesome stuff upstate New York for hiking and camping, if a bit of a drive. Also Vermont, Maine and Nee Hampshire have great outdoors stuff. Winters not that bad besides the crazy snow storms that roll through...