I just returned from a weekend in NYC and being a midwest girl my whole life I WAS SHOCKED!!
How do people afford that city? I thought that it was terrible that cigarettees here are 4-5 dollars a pack. I was floored when they were 9 there!!!!
Truly an amazing city but the cost was just amazing to me! And where do all those people live?? hahah

I have a cousin who lives in Manhantan. She works in the city for a major law firm. She is 21 and just starting out but makes $100K. That is only like $50k here. Her rent for a 1 bedroom is $1200 a month and that is a small apartment. She has to pay $400 a month for parking in a garage. I know it is expensive and I don't know how she does it.