CAN’T AFFORD TO LIVE IN NEW YORK? LIVE HERE INSTEAD

Living in New York is notoriously expensive. Do you want easy access to the cheap places to live near NYC? Take a look at these affordable alternatives.

Ah, New York. The city that never sleeps. The city where everything is possible. But all that greatness comes at a notoriously high price even can’t hire good interior designer NYC with low budget: The cost of living in New York City is 68% higher than the US average, and the average rent in Manhattan is more than $3,000 a month. In recent years, even the Big Apple’s most “affordable” neighborhoods, such as Crown Heights, Ridgewood, and Kingsbridge, has become prohibitively expensive for many people.

If you’re looking for a great place to live with easy access to New York City, here are nearby cities and towns that offer a great quality of life for a fraction of the price. You can also choose the option of moving from New York to Miami.

New Rochelle, New York

Hop on a train from the small town of New Rochelle and arrive at Grand Central Station in about 30 minutes. But aside from a fairly short commute, New Rochelle offers more affordable living with small-town perks.

A studio here can range from $900 to $1,500 a month, a big drop in price from the Manhattan average of $3,667. This charming walkable city of 80,000 is eight by three blocks long and offers a quiet respite from the bustle of the big city with its beaches and parks.

Maplewood, NJ

Maplewood is about 20 miles west of Manhattan, and you can reach Penn Station by express train in 29 minutes. Now, before you rule out a town in New Jersey, Maplewood has a certain charm. An old town center is dotted with restaurants, cafes, and local businesses, while the town prides itself on its close-knit community.

Rent is significantly cheaper here than in New York, and a studio apartment will set you back an average of $1,300. Add to that the fact that Maplewood is known for its great public schools and the ability to have your own backyard (yes, really!) and this city is a winner in our eyes.

Stamford, Conn.

Stamford is an easy pick for us because it’s already landed a spot on our Top 100 Places to Live list, offers an easy one-hour drive to New York City, and even has its own lively scene downtown when you’re not ready for a train ride.

As the third largest city in Connecticut, Stamford provides residents with a big city atmosphere with a lower cost of living and a slower pace of life. A studio here will set you back $1,632 per month, which isn’t exactly cheap, but definitely more affordable than a comparable place in New York.

Fleetwood, New York

Fleetwood, a section of Mount Vernon in upscale Westchester County, is a small town of 20,000 with a quiet, suburban feel. It’s often considered the wealthiest part of Mount Vernon, but it’s still much more affordable than its close neighbor, New York.

Renters can expect to pay $1,450 per month for a studio or $1,800 for a bedroom. This small town offers everything you need to live comfortably, and many homes come with their own private garage, something you’ll never see in the Big Apple.

Tarrytown, New York

Steeped in history with a convenient 40-minute drive to Manhattan, Tarrytown is a great option for those who can’t afford to live in the heart of the city. John D. Rockefeller once called Tarrytown home, and the nearby town of Sleepy Hollow is the setting for the Washington Irvine legend Sleepy Hollow. You don’t have to be as rich as Rockefeller to live here now, because a studio would set you back an average of $1,036.