Over the last few weeks we've been asking listeners to share how they afford this unaffordable area by sending us a picture of their apartment and telling us how they pay for it. Now we've compiled some of those submissions here into a visual scrapbook.
These stories are from a small sample size of our listeners. Not everyone will be able to make it work the same way, but these stories show how a few people in the New York area are managing to live here despite its growing unaffordability.
You can still share your story here.
Geoffrey from Inwood, who lives with his wife and child, spends 23% of his income on housing and saves money through strict budgeting.
"We check our expenses monthly so that we are saving for college fund, retirement and investments. No car. Not much travel outside the country. Bike commute to work."
-Geoffrey in Inwood
Michelle in Castle Hill, spends 25-30% of her income on housing, opted to move to a more underrated neighborhood in the Bronx.
"My husband, two kids and I made/make it work by living in the most affordable and underrated borough in New York City. We bought our three bedroom house in the Bronx 11 years ago for half the price of a house in Brooklyn."
-Michelle in Castle Hill
Some families with young children are making it work by sharing one-bedroom apartments.
Jeff in Fort Greene spends 18% of his income on housing. He and his wife converted their living room into a dual-purpose space with a murphy bed and bassinet for their two young children. The family also has a second home in Connecticut for when his family craves a bit more space on the weekends.
"The real x-factor that makes this a satisfactory arrangement--at least for the time being--is that we purchased a second home in Litchfield County, CT, which provides an escape from the confines of the city and also ample space for storage."
-Jeff in Fort Greene
For another four-person family, a one-bedroom apartment allows them to afford an area that otherwise would be out of reach for their income. Lyn spends 35% of her income on housing in Battery Park City.
"We all sleep (two adults and two kids) in the same bedroom. We rely on free events for entertainment."
-Lyn in Battery Park City
Some are opting to move out of the city while still being close enough to commute.
Marietta from Pelham, only spends 5% of her income on rent by moving to Westchester County. She also earns additional income from renting out one of the units in her two-family home.
"We live in and own a two family house. The rental income pays most of the mortgage and taxes."
-Marietta from Pelham
Rebecca in Downtown Jersey City, who spends 24% of her income on housing, has a roommate to split the cost of rent in her apartment.
"I have a roommate who sublets a room in my apartment. Her contribution covers almost half my total rent."
-Rebecca in Downtown Jersey City
Others have lucked out with help from family members. Elyse in Chelsea spends 20% of her income on housing since her co-op was purchased by her grandparents.
"My apartment, a co-op, was purchased for me 35 years ago by my grandparents when it was relatively affordable. The photo shows a piece of furniture that had belonged to my grandparents."
-Elyse in Chelsea
Becky gets help from her parents but still spends 50% of her income on rent in Ditmas Park.
"My family helps out with rent, I live an hour from my job, I rarely buy new clothes, I shop at the food co-op."
-Becky in Ditmas Park
Meg in Astoria, who spends 70% of her income on housing, cuts costs by renting out her spare bedroom on Airbnb, sticking to her weekly budget and repurposing items she finds on the street.
"I rent my second bedroom out via Airbnb and live on less than $70 a week otherwise. And NYC being what it is, I have furnished 75% of my flat with items (a $200 toaster oven, vintage china, pots & pans including cast iron ones, various tables & chairs...) from the street."
-Meg in Astoria
But once you find a situation that works out for you, make sure you hold on to it! Toby, who lives in a rent stabilized apartment in Park Slope, spends 43% of his income on rent and hasn't moved in four decades.
"In 1977 I lucked into a small rent stabilized apartment in Park Slope, which at that time was not a particularly desirous place to live and I haven't moved in 40 years."
-Toby in Park Slope
