"[0] says downtown NYC is upwards of $2k, hitting $3-4k in certain areas (1 bedroom). My impression is that there's not much of a way of avoiding this. ... But

"[0] says downtown NYC is upwards of $2k, hitting $3-4k in certain areas (1 bedroom). My impression is that there's not much of a way of avoiding this. ... But you can easily find cheaper places if you're willing to be a bit further from the station (nobody wants to be a 12 minute walk from the station), or if you're willing to live near the less fun stations on the Yamanote. " I'm not familiar with Tokyo neighborhoods, but it sounds like you are comparing apples and oranges. Manhattan is not the same as NYC--there are four other boros. Not all of that has subway access but huge swaths of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens do. I live in a one bedroom in Queens, 3 blocks from the subway, for less than $1500/month.