NYC is much more affordable if you're willing to commute from Queens - you can get a two bedroom near Jackson Heights for under $300k and still take the train t

NYC is much more affordable if you're willing to commute from Queens - you can get a two bedroom near Jackson Heights for under $300k and still take the train to work in Manhattan. If you want to live in Manhattan you pay a lot but it at least feels like you're getting something in return by being walking distance to the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world. The Bay is nearly as expensive as Manhattan but for the most part it's indistinguishable from any random suburb in Florida or Texas or wherever. Lawns, Costcos, car dealerships - really not worth $4k a month.