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We don’t need to hire rocket scientists to tell us that living in New York City is so expensive it hurts. Unlike many other cities across the U.S., the rents in New York have only continued to go up post-pandemic. Where you live and how much money you make can make a huge impact on your quality of life.

The New York Post conducted an analysis of data to determine how much money your household needs to make on average to live comfortably in each borough. Here’s what they found. 

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Right now, the median rent in New York City is $3,421, according to the data analyzed by the Post. That number, though, varies significantly from borough to borough.

Surprisingly, Manhattan rent prices have actually dropped compared to 2019. The current median rent price is $4,489, which is $392 less than August 2019. In order to live comfortably in Manhattan while only spending around 30% of your income on rent, which is what many economists typically recommend, you’d need to make a gross household income of $179,560 per year. 

Although Manhattan rents are slightly cheaper than they were a few years ago, the opposite is true for the outer boroughs, where more and more people have been moving to in recent years in search of more space, chiller neighborhood vibes and cheaper rent. 

Across the outer boroughs, Queens surprisingly saw the biggest jump in median rent prices: a 8.2% jump to $3,380 per month.

Rents in Queens are about 40.1% higher now than they were in 2019, which makes sense when you consider the rapid popularization of neighborhoods like Ridgewood, Long Island City and Astoria. If you want to spend 30% of your annual income on rent, you’ll have to earn a gross household income of about $135,200 per year on average.

The Bronx also saw exponential rent increases in the past five years. Leasing a place there will now cost you a staggering 60.9% percent more than 2019. The median rent there is currently $3,175 per month, which means you need to make a gross annual income of $127,000 per year to thrive in the area. 

Unsurprisingly, Brooklyn also saw a jump in median rents, although not as dramatic as neighboring Queens or the Bronx. Still, the iconic borough saw a 32.7% increase in rent prices since 2019 and now requires a median of $3,718 per month of rent, which would require a gross annual income of $148,720 per year. 

In sum, Manhattan continues to be the most expensive borough to live in and the best option if you’re making big cash, but Brooklyn is definitely closing in as rents continue to grow from year to year. In Manhattan, believe it or not, things are slowing down.

Queens is not too far behind Brooklyn and The Bronx is having the fastest rate of rent price hikes out of all the boroughs.

The only people who are celebrating these findings are probably those renting in Manhattan, who can revel in price drops for a moment. For the rest of us, it might be time to start considering a move to Staten Island. 

* This article was originally published here

We hope you’re hungry because this September the NY Latin Food Fest is bringing a culinary carnival straight to Pier 76. Visitors will eat their way through endless Latin American and Caribbean flavors without even having to hop on a plane!

The festival is the work of MASC Hospitality Group, the same ones behind other NYC favorites including Bronx Night Market, Uptown Night Market, Vegan Night Market, and Brooklyn Night Market–so we just know it’s going to be delicious.

Attendees will be able to feast on 300+ mouthwatering Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes. Think: zesty tacos, savory mofongo, hearty feijoada, and more! Some delicious vendors we’re looking forward to trying include:

• Aguas Frescas Tlaxcalita
• Bad Mon Jerk Chicken and Waffles Inc
• Crazy Fire Tacos
• Empanada Lady LLC
• La Braza
• Maggie’s Munchies
• Nao’s Caribbean Flavors Inc
• Palenque Colombian Food
• Tacos El Guero
• Treat Yourself Jerk
• Yankee Doodle Dandy’s
• & much more!

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For activities beyond stuffing your face you can also groove to live Latin music including salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaeton, and cumbia. There will be performances by D U R I E U X, Afro Dominicano Band, La Manga, Disco Bogotá, JChris, LA EXCELENCIA, Cristian Allexis, Xianix Barrera Flamenco Co., Allison Soul, and Batalá New York.

Plus, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself vibrant Latin cultures with colorful art installations, the Hispanic Wall of Fame, and rich traditions everywhere you look.

NY Latin Food Fest takes place Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14th, coinciding perfectly with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. 100% of profits support the Street Eats Foundation, an organization that helps food entrepreneurs establish strong brand identities and marketing strategies to stand out in NYC’s bustling culinary scene. So, your enjoyment will help small businesses shine!

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Learn more and snag your tickets here.

Plus, beyond this food festival Ferragosto Festival and the beloved Feast of San Gennaro are also returning to NYC this September!

Pier 76

Friday, September 13th & Saturday, September 14th

Sept. 13: 4-10 pm / Sept. 14: 12-8 pm

The post This 2-Night Food Fest Is Bringing The Boldest Latin American & Caribbean Flavors To NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Who wouldn’t love to pay less for a nicer place than where they’re at now?! Well New Yorkers willing to test their luck to live luxuriously for less can do so by applying to NYC’s affordable housing lotteries.

What is the NYC affordable housing lottery program?

Under NYC Housing Connect, the affordable housing lottery program is a governmental effort to create inclusive opportunities for NYC residents across all five boroughs to have access to affordable housing. Housing is considered affordable if it’s a third or less of the resident’s income.

What should you know before applying?

To apply for an affordable housing lottery you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Have an income that meets a specific range (dependent on household number)
• Have your up to date household information on Housing Connect

It’s good to know that NYC residents typically have priority for HPD and HDC housing.

How to apply for an NYC affordable housing lottery?

It’s important to note that applications for an affordable housing lottery are accepted via mail or online. We will be further detailing how to apply online.

Step 1

Complete your profile on Housing Connect

Step 2

Click on “Open Lotteries” & ensure your household size and income meet the requirements

Step 3

Submit your application prior to the deadline

Once the deadline passes, each application gets assigned a random number known as a lottery log number. Time of application does not affect your chances of being selected so long as you apply before the deadline. Applications for set-asides and preferences are viewed first. It may take months to hear back about your application. Qualified applicants may never even hear back.

How are winners notified?

If you’re application gets selected you will receive a document request and must complete an interview. You will need forms of identification for everyone you will live with, proof of all their incomes such as pay stubs or tax returns, etc., and information on your current apartment such as your lease and utility bill. This will confirm if you qualified to apply.

From there, you will either receive an acceptance or rejection. If rejected, you can send an appeal. If accepted, there will be a few more steps to follow before you’ve secured a lease.

What are the chances of winning an NYC affordable housing lottery?

In years past, the chances of winning an NYC affordable housing lottery are about 1 in 590. So though it’s not easy, it’s definitely not impossible.

The post 3 Easy Steps For Applying To An NYC Affordable Housing Lottery appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

With NYC rent prices constantly on the rise–less than 5% of NYC rents are affordable for average salary makers–and NYC being named the third most expensive city in the world, it’s starting to look like living in NYC for the rest of our lives is a bit of a pipe dream. But at the end of the day we love the city and wouldn’t want to leave it behind. Well, thankfully we don’t have to–at least not fully.

Data journalism website Stacker just gathered together the best places to live in America, and while spots in the Midwest dominate the list, four of the neighborhoods are not too far outside of NYC! Each neighborhood has a certain appeal to them, whether it be a safe environment, a commitment to education, nearby wilderness for hiking, or simply because they’re quaint and historic.

Ranking 27th out of 50, and situated closest to home, is the village of Great Neck Plaza. The study writes:

Great Neck Plaza is home to educated professionals. The village is diverse, with internationally-born residents accounting for 36.6% of the population. Those who commute often use public transportation, such as the Long Island Rail Road.

If that sounds ideal to you, you can become the village’s 7,444th resident! For context, Great Neck Plaza is not too far from Queens Village.

Three New Jersey neighborhoods found their way onto the list: Princeton, Ho-Ho-Kus, and Princeton Junction. Of the three, Ho-Ho-Kus is located closest to NYC–20 miles to be exact. And with a population of 4,234 residents, the suburb, which ranked 31st out of 50, is much smaller than Great Neck Plaza. The study writes:

A 1.7-square-mile suburb in Bergen County established in 1698, Ho-Ho-Kus is 20 miles from New York City. Its name reflects its Native American origins—the area was home to the Lenni Lenape tribe—and likely was derived from “Mah-Ho-Ho-Kus,” or “red cedar.” Ho-Ho-Kus has a small-town atmosphere and remains a tight-knit and safe place to live.

A bit further out is Princeton, which ranked highest on the list at 25th. It’s also the biggest neighborhood of the four with a population of 30,450 residents. The study writes:

Besides being home to Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton has been recognized as a healthy place to live. It boasts parks and a wildlife refuge and is a semi-wooded community with various types of housing, including an 86-year-old affordable housing program.

You had as at affordable housing. And, by the way, an affordable housing lottery just opened up in Hudson Yards with luxury units at unbelievable prices!

Rounding out the four neighborhoods is Princeton Junction, ranked 40th out of 50. The town is the smallest of the four, which a population of just 2,022. And compared to NYC’s population of 8,097,282 you’ll certainly be in for a bit of a shock if you decide to move here! The study writes:

Princeton Junction, an affluent area, has a suburban feel with highly rated schools. Residents are positioned near all kinds of restaurants, playgrounds, and theme parks. There are multiple vineyards and an orchard as well as Princeton Battlefield State Park in the area.

The top ten best places to live in the U.S. are as follows:

1. Carmel, Indiana

2. Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania

3. Cinco Ranch, Texas

4. Brookline, Massachusetts

5. Ardmore, Pennsylvania

6. Johns Creek, Georgia

7. North Bethesda, Maryland

8. Okemos, Michigan

9. Blue Ash, Ohio

10. Brentwood, Missouri

To come up with the ranking, Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live (as of June 2024) using Niche data on cities, towns, and suburbs. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including cost of living, residents’ education, housing prices, and public school grades. See the full study here.

The post 4 Of The Best U.S. Neighborhoods To Live In Are Just Outside NYC, Says Study appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here