Living in NYC - A Day In My Life (Harsh realities REVEALED) 

Do you think I should leave? Let me know in the comments 👇🏻

The fact of the matter is that you're not a multi-millionaire. In order to live the life you want, with a child, in New York, you need to be quite a bit wealthier than you are. So it comes down to a basic question: Do you want a better quality of life for your family with less things to do, or do you want to continue to pay through the nose for the perceived privilege of saying you live in New York? You don't have to pack up and move to Idaho. The key is to find a middle ground: a fun city with tons to do that is significantly less expensive than New York. If you wanna stay in the northeast, Philadelphia comes to mind. The suburban areas of Washington DC are also beautiful and culturally rich, and there's adequate public transportation to be found there. Chicago would be another amazing option. Chicago is significantly less expensive and it is truly a great American city; in many ways it feels very much like New York. During the summer months, I think that Chicago is better than New York with its beach-lined downtown, and fantastic neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Wrigleyville, Boystown...etc..etc.. St. Petersburg, Florida is another hidden gem. I moved down here from New York about 2 years ago, and I love it. It's kind of like a smaller, cleaner, less wacky San Diego... It has a great nightlife, fantastic restaurants and bars, tons of activities for families, world class beaches, amazing weather.. You're also only 1.5 - 2 hours from Orlando, 3.5 hours to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach. You're not far from the Florida Keys, the Caribbean...etc..etc.. You just have to find what's out there. New York isn't the only cool place in the country, and certainly not the world...

Former New Yorker here and lived in Manhattan for a decade. All of the pluses of NYC can be had by taking a trip. I didn't go to Michelin star restaurants every day, every month for that matter. Overall living costs can be lowered and you can still travel (possibly needing a few more stops depending on where you go). The actual housing stock you get in an up-and-coming city is going to be fairly new as well. I do not miss seeing random waterbugs and dealing with the mice that came with my pre-war building in Manhattan.

So glad you're staying in NYC and making it work! Yes it's expensive, but there's a reason for it and there's so many things to do. Hopefully Bella can get a bigger crib someday 😃

With that painful cost of living in NY I can’t imagine trying to grow your retirement accounts. In 20 short years what you’ve been able to save will be a big deal. I could justify a vacation to NY but the cost for living there is sobering.

My daughter and finance left their year adventure in NYC and have moved back to Seattle. I’d say family/friends were their #1 reason. They also have reduced their rental rates as well. No state incoming tax in WA! I will continue to visit NYC vicariously via RU-vid!

I relocated to Northern VA and just regularly visit NYC now. Takes 4 hours by bus, 2.5 hours by train. Can just visit for a day and come back. Saving so much more money now

Glad to hear that you are staying! As a fellow New Yorker I would be sad if you decided to leave. So much opportunity here, best schools and medical care. Yes there are issues but once you are a New Yorker, no place can compare. And as a fellow NYC mom, you are giving your daughter a wonderful gift of culture, diversity, and opportunity!

To each their own. There probably isn’t a city on earth where a person can live without having to accept some things that they would like to see improved. The cost/benefit of living in NYC has never seemed worth it to me but I respect those who choose to live there and do enjoy watching content from residents that show the good and the bad.

Since you have a child now you could buy a home in Staten Island. Its the safest borough of the 5. Its not far from the city. Child care would be much less expensive. S.I is the perfect place for raising a family. Check out bay st Landing . Its minutes from the ferry. South shore of the Island is accessible by train. Its nickname is Staten Italy. Good neighborhoods on North shore of island. Staten Island is also the borough of parks. All my siblings and their families live there.

I was born and raised in NYC. I love the city but when you have a family you have to move out. I live in NJ and I am 30min train ride to the city. NJ has better schools and I have a house with a huge back yard. My wife still works in the city and commutes 3 days a week.

With that $5,000 that you're paying for an apartment in Long Island City, there are definitely other Queens neighborhoods that you can look into for less and for more spacious apartments. Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Woodside, Ridgewood for example would get you more bang for your buck with what you're paying for where you, Bella and Louie are currently located. But, there are other cities with great diversity just like NYC that aren't as expensive like Jersey City, Raleigh, Charlotte, Los Angeles, San Diego (Yes LA and San Diego although expensive, they're not as expensive as NYC) then there's Sacramento, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City,

I would leave! I also have a child now, and enjoy living in a smaller, quieter town. Childcare is so important, and is the best thing I can offer him. He loves going to daycare!

I cannot imagine being in your situation like I would not know what to do. I saw a comment saying you and New York go together and I agree ! However, I see you making it work everywhere: you make amazing videos and you seem like the best tour guide ! Wishing you all the best !! ❤️

I moved from New York to St. Petersburg, Florida 2 years ago. Best decision I've ever made. St. Pete is full of culture, great nightlife, restaurants, world class beaches, warm weather...and it's still relatively affordable (especially when compared to New York). There's also no state tax down here, so for the line of work I'm in, that helps. New York is fun for a time, but it gets old after awhile. When it comes to large cities, I actually prefer London and Madrid over New York. I haven't been to Australia, but I hear their 2 principal cities, Melbourne and Sydney, are better than New York along a host of metrics. The truth is that New York is overrated. The more you travel the world and experience other cities, the more you realize that. But if New York is your thing, and you're convinced the city lives up to the hype, then have at it.

You’ll know when you’re truly ready to leave. Pretty sure everyone questions why they live here and ponders where else to go from time to time…especially these days! Hope you can get your rent increase down…at least a little. Glad you’re still here ☺️

5,000/month is my living expenses for 2months (Texas) You can travel the world from Idaho too. Family is just a Skype / phone call away. “Absence grows the heart fonder”. You’ll be able to travel more paying less for housing + child care. You’ll actually have a place called home. Funding retirement / college fund for children. Your going to have to upgrade your apartment soon so Bella can have her own room eventually. So that child care expense will seem to rollover into y’all’s growing expense. Your doing very well for yourself if you can afford to even consider staying. Best wishes and all the prosperity.

it is terrible - you can always pick and hold your baby in subway and go without a stroller but imagine being in a wheelchair or with serious health issues and not being ablet to travel affordably :/

In 2020, i was going to go visit NY for the first time, and then, all my plans came tumbling down when everything stopped due to Covid. I was so disappointed. This video has ignited my desire to go. 🎉

Excellent video, Sarah. Interesting and informative. Really good visuals. It's very eye opening that you pay $5000 per month rent. Really expensive is an understatement.

I was done when she said $2,700 a month for 3 days a week for daycare 😮😮😮

It's cool to see that you are staying in NYC for at least another year. The most important thing is that you are doing what makes you the happiest, and I can tell that the positives are easily outweighing the negatives. In future years, there's always the possibility of moving just a little bit away from NYC but enough to where you could easily go into the city via a commuter rail in case you and Luis decide to move at some point. Thankfully NYC has a lot of lower cost things to see, do, and eat which can be quite fun! In the end, I think you are making the right decision to stay at least for now!

Wow ..day care monthly expenses alone are a good reason to get away asap!😯

2700 for 12 days!!!! That's the most outrageous New York price I've heard for anything. Just WoW

Living in NYC is like any toxic relationship - you convince yourself it is ok, it is not until you get out that you realise just how terrible it is.

We visited in October and I literally wigged out when I saw people with kids there. I literally don’t know how you do that. 😅 The things I saw in the short visit I would never willingly raise my child in. Men exposing themselves in broad daylight, people openly shooting up in the subway stations, plus so much more. I’ve been to big cities before (LA, Vegas, Seattle) but that was a whole different ballgame. I wanted so much to love it but unfortunately didn’t. Everyone is different I suppose. Cons outweigh the pros for me personally but I also understand wanting to be close to family. Is moving to the suburbs of New York or even Jersey then going into the city for work/fun an option?

Hey Sarah, I think the concept of lack of space is true to some extent but is in a completely American context where people have giant homes in the suburbs so 3 or 4 bedroom is taken as the norm. But space is a challenge is many large cities around the world and most families manage with 1 to 2 bedroom apartments.

Sarah, cross the river and move to Jersey City or Bayonne. A short subway ride, ferry ride, bus ride, or car ride to the city, and cheaper rent :)

Ohhh Sarah! Please enjoy the city, I know it is dirty and expensive, but it is also magical. My husband and I visit every time we can, which is not great for our finances, but that place in the world brings us joy and if we could emigrate legally, we would be there already. Bella will be ready for the world after growing up there, I promise.

I was planning to live in NYC for a year after I retire in August 2024. However, NYC is so expensive that I've decided to retire to Buenos Aires instead. At my age, I do not want flatmates. Having US and UK passports, I can live in NYC or London. However, I will have to apply for residency in Argentina which is a pain but hopefully worth it.

Couple things to note here. If you explore apartments above 125th you get a lot of bang for your buck. My 3 bedroom brownstone apartment in Hamilton Heights is $2700 a month and less than a 5 minute walk to ACBD and 1 subway. Which the A and D are express to 59th st. It is all about location.

That’s why I’m glad I’m never having kids or getting married. Living in nyc is so much better as a single person.

I appreciated this video as I am looking for jobs in NYC right now ! It's always been my dream city and I know it's not perfect, but it calls to me

I'm a Native New Yorker. I live in East Harlem and grew up in Queens. My grandfather was a NYC cabbie, owned his own taxi. I'm a die-hard Yankee fan. I ❤️NY!!

Sarah, I'm just now watching these older vids, love the vlog styles. ✨️💗

I think in a few more years you guys might leave NY. Once you leave NY you will realize you didn't have to live with all of those inconveniences as you mentioned and just live more comfortably. I think NY is an amazing city and I visit all the time but I couldn't live there and I don't have to live there to enjoy everything it has to offer. I want my living space to be easy, comfortable, and peaceful. $5000 rent could also be put towards building wealth instead of funding those property owners. Wishing you guys the best! You guys deserve the best.

I never guessed you might have to leave. Sarah and NY goes together like the Statue of Liberty 🗽

Stay but get a cheaper apartment. 5k per month is ridiculous to be paying anywhere in the country, no matter what your salary is.

Sarah! So happy to hear that you and your family will be staying in NYC👏👍! I absolutely love it when you said; “Until we find a place that we love even more, New York will always be home... and so we expect to stay here until that time. Is New York worth it? Well, it’s worth it to me, and it’s worth it to the 8.6 million people that live here.” What a wise and true statement! Also, I'm super bias as your channel is in my top 3 favorite on RU-vid and content about NYC never gets old! Grateful for all the joy and adventure that you and Luis bring through your content.

No don’t do it, love that place. I’m from England and am coming back in September, the 3rd busying 4 years. It is a magical city but obviously agree how expensive it is, but it is magical as a visitor ❤️❤️

It's a tough dilemma for sure, but the financial burden probably won't get easier, as you saw your rent already went up 700/mth and now with the additional expenses of child rearing that will be a constant stress factor. The thing is Sarah, you have so much going for you personally, don't let your emotions tie you to NYC, I feel you could make it anywhere, you are creative, have a magnetic personality, and are a natural on camera. Maybe it's time to really spread your wings, taking all your talents into consideration. Another big factor is deciding how you want your child to grow up, do you want her to have more space of her own, a yard to play in, or the experience of big city life? Also it's much easier to save money while your young and in your most active phase, then when your older. Best of luck to you!

Have you considered moving to New Jersey? You could still get into NYC often and although expensive not quite crazy expensive as NYC.

Sarah NY especially Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn is worth it to me. Yes family is first. My brother and his family lives a 15 minute walk from my apartment. Transportation Sheepshead Bay train station Sadly doesn't have elevators. Closest station is Brighton Beach. When it comes to crime Sheepshead Bay is fairly safe. When it comes to sporting events. I will not leave NY without my favorite team NY Rangers.

There are some first time homebuyers programs that can be pretty generous for buying in certain neighborhoods. I recently did a Zoom seminar with one of the HUD funded nonprofits.

Hi from Sweden. Visited NY 5 times (love NY). I own a house (130 M2) in the 4h biggest town in Sweden. Our cost is now app. 300 to 400 dollars/month after paying 300 000 dollars cash for the house. Only 100 meters to the nearest forest. Life is different in thebig apple.

I knew Action Kid would be right back !

East or West Sarah is the best

Born and raised in MYC. I love it over there when I go visit. I don’t live there anymore. I like having more money in my pockets and to enjoy other things. I still like to visiting, but that’s it. I still go out and have fun and do other things that don’t just involve going to the bar and eating.

$2700/ 3 days. I live in UES, my lo went to 5 days a week to private day-care and I paid little more than $3000.0. In Queens it is much cheaper- may be you can find a better day-care near by where your lo can spend 5 days / week and you can work. About-strollers- she will grow out of it soon and will start enjoying public transportations. But agree- the city has become extremely expensive and so are other parts of the country. It is a nightmare to buy a house in a nice area and raise a kid. So expensive!

Hi Sarah! Are any of the cities/towns along Metro North out of the question? I'm a native NYer who relocated to NC ~ 2 years ago - if we would've made the move to "upstate" - perhaps we would've stayed longer. P.S. Been following for quite a while - always enjoy the content and learning about the latest and greatest in NYC through your lens. Ultimately, do what is right for you and your family - wishing you much continued success.

Can't imagine you living anywhere else. Except maybe out of the country. Like Action Kid- he is NYC. AK in Florida doesn't have the same pop or buzz or ring to it!

It was nice to see Kenneth (AK) on this video he is from Astoria too. And actually showed my house on stream. Wow I remember when you were Pregnant and Now Bella has grown. She is adorable. Nothing like NYC born and raised but in Orlando for 20 years don't miss NYC 👍

You should move to Jersey City.

Have you ever thought of moving upstate, or to Jersey City, or Staten Island? Just somewhere slightly more roomy where you can buy a property but also not too far from the city?

Concerning subway I think u can use feeder/local buses which are much more accessible to get to the nearest express station which more likely has elevators. This is overall slower in NYC circumstances than using subway only but needs much less physical effort. Also feeder buses can help to get to the subway junctions where several services combine and where the trains are thus more frequent, compensating bus' loses of time. At least u can try this type of transportation strategy ;)

Definitely stay. You are a New Yorker for sure. Greatest city in the world. Though a bit expensive. Action Kid and yourself are among my top 4 or 5 NY area RU-vidrs. Though you are my favorite at the moment. Thanks for posting such entertaining and informative videos.

I mean, I wanna move to the US from Europe and I've chosen Seattle so I don't think NYC would be my cup of tea, but that said it is iconic, can't deny that

I totally love your videos, Sarah! I started following doing research for my current trip and your videos were a huge help as I went to places such as City Reliquary, Birria Landia, Top of the Rock, Chelsea Market. I am currently visiting NYC this week and been enjoying every single day of it, but it can be quite expensive for certain things here. I am from Washington, DC area and living in Virginia because living in the nation's capital is so expensive. which isn't immune from high prices. But with each city comes its pros/cons of course!

You can move to a nice area in Queens get a 2 bedroom with a lot of space and still be near Manhattan and transportation to the city.youd save alot of money .i live in a huge 2 bedroom in Whitestone with city views and I pay 2200 before that i lived in Maspeth Queens had a backyard and I was literally 10-15 mins away from bushwick,manhattan,astoria and Jackson heights..theres also very good and affordable day cares here some that have camera fees for you to check in on your child.

I really enjoyed this video, Sarah! I can’t imagine how difficult it is to have a baby here. You’re doing great!

Sarah and New York are like peanut butter and jelly! Best when together. ♥ Happy to hear you have many reasons to stay and to enjoy NYC as a family. Just love your content! That said, I'd still watch, wherever you go and explore!

I think your pros can help you deal with the cons. Your friends and family are your safety net. I'm biased because I've lived here my whole life.

2 words: Umbrella Stroller. Get one. They are cheap, not bulky, and fold up quickly into a, well an umbrella! When climbing stairs, fold the stroller, hook the 'umbrella' handle over one arm, carry baby in the other, and your good! I lived in San Francisco with my baby. Did that all the time. The 'fancy' (i.e. heavy) stroller stayed in the closet gathering dust, until I finally gave it away, but the umbrella stroller got used every day. Yea, you need to do a lot of lifting, but then you don't need the gym. I got a lot of happy miles out of our umbrella stroller!

You can do it! Bella won’t need daycare and a stroller forever, and I know people who raise children in smaller spaces than that. Obviously if your family gets any bigger the apartment won’t do though 😆

Crime was worst in the 70's 80's

Melbourne Australia is about the 15th most expensive city in the world so I get what you mean about whether to stay or go. Young people especially are hardest affected as it so hard to get into the property market and finding a place to rent is really tough.

Beautiful NYC! Thank you for your great video!

I would love to hear more about your travels and what countries you’ve lived in! ☺️

Wow what a relief ! Glad we'll have new videos 👍🏼😉

Me and my wife live in a co-op apartment so even if the monthly maintenance goes up its still affordable in comparison with 1 or 2 year lease apartments

I can tell where you at from the video i know lic and astoria very well and i think is by queens plaza south. Ive thought about leaving but recently went out of the country and saw why i missed tbi city. In a city like this is best to just keep making money always

visiting the city next weekend, between you and here be barr im more prepared than ever, thank you!

You are doing great, and w/Bella!! Enjoy ❤

Since you ask me... if I were you I would go to live in a city with a milder climate, less expensive, safer but above all with more nature... what do you do with skyscrapers that block the sun during the day?

Before I even watch this video I am going to go out on a limb and say this is a click bait and you have no intentions of leaving. Okay, time to watch it and see. Yup, I was right.

Nice- ActionKid in Da House!!

I love NY I was able to visit in December, but I can’t live there. I like my weather and space in CA. It’s more expensive there than here. Wish we had NY transportation here. I would love to go back because there’s so much to do.

I lived there, love NYC , but its only good to visit!!!

Lady.. i am just ambivalent as you. I leave NYC periodically to renew my love for NYC.

Hi Sarah Funk I really love NYC I would have to come and live there.

Thank you

Sarah chose to live in LIC, an extremely high end neighborhood (and not super diverse) where all of the prices are inflated to cater to wealthy people. She could easily live in a cheaper neighborhood like Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, Astoria, Forest Hills, Prospect Lefferts and many others. Instead of living a modest life she chose to leave the city and make money by trashing the city on RU-vid.

How will Bella get to school when she is of school age ? Very dangerous !

Wait how does renting at 5000 allow you to travel the world? My mortgage is 5x less what you pay for rent. That’s 4k more travel budget a month if I choose…for perspective that’s 48k/year…

México city Roma-Condesa area is the digital nomads world capital 👍🏼

Yeah, I keep exploring different cities in my search for a relocation destination, but nothing really appeals to me. I actually *really* liked Portland, OR when I visited eight years ago, but I don't like the political climate there. Seattle is very nice also, but a lot more expensive than what I am looking for, especially considering the only thing even motivating me in my search is lowering my living expenses.

Very beautiful video 🍀👍

New York City won’t be the same with you Sarah 😢

I follow MaddieGold on here and I can see you guys being digital nomads in Mexico for a couple years.

Worth it to me too!:)

Very interesting vlog! Thanks for sharing beautiful lady😘😘😘 xox! Have a wonderful day

Hi, could you make a video of a toddler friendly trip to NY? Thanks for the tip that not all subways have elevators, we were debating whether to take our heavy duty stroller or a smaller, umbrella stroller for our almost 2 year old :)

Come to Chicago!

Nj is nice but property taxes are the highest and go up every year?I think u should move to Delaware as their is no taxes?Florida is to hot and humid..maybe Pennsylvania?Astoria is very nice its still a good neighborhood?I worked in Astoria and i liked it very much! Nyc i grew up in the Bronx newr pelham bay city island..New Rochele is very nice? Yonkers is nice..Pelham manor..Ny is big bucks...i live near Myrtle beach and its half the price of Nyc?

BELLA is a beauty, happy kido . 5k rent , that's a heap of $$. what 3 places would you consider re-locating to ? be safe ~ JDS/CT

Girl get out! Atlanta area is good! Alpharetta, johns Creek, buckhead, ashford Dunwoody area, safer, cleaner, good schools, great airport, and you can afford to fly to see family in NY.

You can find creative ways to stay, while finding somewhere close enough it works for the school years.

Who knows what NY will be like 5 years from now. Its always been expensive but things could improve relatively speaking. These things are cyclical.

I'm curious, what job did you hold before you were a RU-vidr? Tour guide?

New York is a nice place to visit,but don't think I want to live there. I guy once told me the only city to live in besides NY would be Paris, would you ever consider living in Paris France?