What’s the best place to live in NYC in your 20s?

I'm extremely stuck on deciding on a place to live in NYC and could use some advice.

I've only lived in NY for a little less than a year now so I haven't done much exploring, but whenever I go to East Village/Greenwich Village/Soho, I'm in love with the atmosphere and the fashion and everything. I also am always being told that I have to live in Manhattan at least once, and I feel like I would love living in the city.

14 Comments
 

Nobody can answer this for you.

Walk around a few neighborhoods that you like, check the rental market there, and see if you can afford it. After that it is a balancing act to line up desired amenities + location + roommate situation (if applicable) with the price you can afford and proximity to work if that's important to you.

If you aren't able to find a good balance (very possible) you might have to settle with a more affordable option with less amenities and do what you do now (walk / uber to the neighborhoods you enjoy).

Good luck.

 

You'll find a large studio or a 1 bedroom in that range.

Totally up to you now re: location, you're better off than most early career finance kids that really don't want to spend more than ~$3k on rent. 

If you like fashion / artsy neighborhood vibes that make you feel a little less like you're in a massive city then those are the places to look. EV / LES / Greenwhich / Gramercy. Maybe add Chelsea to your list but you'll probably start running into pricier places there.

I would add if you want "killer views" its harder to find abundance of options in the "neighborhoody" areas because there just aren't as many massive buildings. Depends on if your definition of killer views is 50th floor skyline or 8th floor with sunlight and a view of a local park.

 
Most Helpful

If you're actually spending up to 7k on a 1 bedroom, West Village (or nicer parts of Greenwich Village, above WSP) is the move. WV is a nice mix of atmosphere, dining, and social scene. East Village is common too but I'd say it's a bit grittier/leans more first-year analyst than the WV, if you have a big budget you can do better.

Only views you'll get in the WV will be pretty far west, which is far from the subway. Would recommend staying around 5th/6th/7th, 13th or below (14th st is awful, be warned) and above Houston. But can definitely find doorman + laundry in building with decently nice finishes. Might have to wait a bit and certainly will need to be aggressive with offers/immediate viewing if something comes up. Recommend finding a broker who can do all of this for you. If you rent a "fee" place (most places are "fee", or 15% of annual rent paid up front to broker) you're paying the entire fee to the seller's broker if you don't have your own. So might as well get a broker to do the work for you.

Array
 

I love the East Village. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Kairo What’s Is

“What is is” 

you’re killing me, smalls

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

lol word 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Autem et atque voluptatibus officiis non dolorem ex. Accusantium blanditiis dolor debitis minus omnis vitae. Est eos ea assumenda amet. Occaecati molestias facere doloribus porro quo occaecati voluptas. Voluptatem molestias ut dolorem vel.

Ut numquam maxime corporis aut quis impedit animi. Excepturi maxime laborum voluptas excepturi. Est harum et iure numquam possimus veritatis qui. Et facilis molestias molestiae omnis quae voluptatem quae. Quae repellendus aut reiciendis iure at nulla. Nostrum consectetur quia qui vero ipsa autem et recusandae.

Qui consequatur hic ut consequatur debitis. Consequatur accusantium repudiandae ducimus voluptatem dicta quam.

Id corrupti rerum dolores modi accusantium voluptatem. Perspiciatis sunt rem sed quaerat molestiae est. Quia vel rerum consequatur sit dolorem et ipsam ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”