Living in a tent (free) vs. renting in NYC (60k/yr)
I am currently a first year analyst at FT Partners, and will be relocating from their SF to NYC office next fall. While my comp is top tier (FTP in line with most EBs), I would like to save as much money as possible while I'm young. I've been looking at rentals in the city, and can't find anything under 5k/mo. This has led me to look at some alternatives to renting. I've considered the possibility of living in an RV, but it seems too impractical given the parking situation.
My next idea is to live in a tent outside or near the office. In SF this is quite common, and most of our unhoused nieghbors seem to be very satisfied. I already own a tent, so I'll be able so save ~$60k during my first year in rent alone. I'm also considering adopting a more hunter / gatherer lifestyle to save money on food and dining, which seems to be very expensive NYC. I've heard there are lots of rats, pidgeons, etc. which I should be able to catch and cook, as well as plentiful food scaps to be found in dumpsters and garbage cans. For showering and washing, I will get a gym membership, however I rarely shower so I'm not too concerned about this. As far as going to the bathroom, I plan on using public restrooms or the street, as this is also quite common in SF.
My only big concern is about public policies regarding the unhoused. I visited NYC recently, and for some reason there were no tents or fesces on the street, so I'm worried I may be unfarily targeted by law enforecment due to my lifestyle choices. I'm also a little concerned about what my colleagues / bosses will think of my personal hygine. I have gotten quite a few comments about this in the past, but usually brush them off since people are more open minded in SF. Overall though, I think the money that I will save on rent and food will far outweigh any challenges I might face in the short term.
Can anyone give me advice as to whether or not this would be feasible? Has anyone on the forum tried this - If not, why aren't more people doing this? Any advice would be much appreciated.
All good questions and clearly you're thinking about it the right way. I actually spent my analyst years in a yurt on sheep's meadow so I can personally tell you that it is doable. It was tough adjusting to the small space, particularly with my wife and kids, but the fact that they are imaginary helped out a lot.
Everything else about your plan checks out but if you want to save a few extra bucks, look for lunch spots with unguarded pick-up shelves (think certain CHOPT/Sweetgreen locations). Walk in with a purpose, pretend to scan the shelf, throw in an audible "ah hah! there's my meal", and walk out confidently. No better way to save $15-20 a day.
Bro really tried to replicate my “Living in an RV vs Renting in NYC” post
there was a guy planning to live in his SUV as well
What about the guy in the UHaul
You'll want to put some of those savings to use for the wintertime. I recommend the Kuiu Super Down sleeping bag for around $750, or if you want to be more budget friendly the North Face Trail Lite Down sleeping bag is a good alternative for around $280 .
See if you can lateral to MS M&A or GS TMT that way you can just sleep under your desk with your fellow analysts. Some of the homeless guys I used to kick it with said NYC can get cold in the winters living in a tent.
Houlihan Lokey offers some decent under-the-desk sleeping arrangements as well.
As does Japan
Not sure why I’d want to leave FTP (basically an EB) for MS or GS. Also, planning on burning garbage in an old oil drum for heat during the winter time
Living in a tent < going to Mexico to come up through the border and getting transported to NYC for a free hotel room and free food
Just claim to be a refugee and they'll put you up in a fancy hotel in midtown
Hahahahahahahahahahaahahaha
Why leave SF? They just came out with an app called HomoRomo, currently in beta in SF. It’s an AI powered BaaS (bum as a service) platform that connects homeless fucks with everything they need. With one tap, HomoRomo connects you with a local fentanyl dealer, a tent, and the closest Audi Q8 that European tourists left their luggage in.
In NYC you’re going to have to wait for the ‘refugee’ update.
I currently live in my car (see my previous thread on this). I would highly encourage you to live in a tent. You won’t regret it!
Is it true you guys make $140k base???
Is living in a tent better than renting in Queens?
Astoria, LIC and maybe even woodside/sunnyside/jackson heights ain't bad if you work in midtown.
I wish we could quit these dumb posts though. Honestly, if you're downtown just live in Harrison and take the PATH. Midtown gives you more options, and I like uptown, but it's seriously dealer's choice.
I love this forum.
Ontopic: Vanlife and cosplay being poor? Super hip these days.
Didn't this website used to have funny members? These Gen Z weirdos are just..... like.... not funny man.
What apartment cost 5000 dollar per year ? Just get a roommate or live in the kitchen.
Half of the apartments in Manhattan…
When you live alone in 2B2B of course it’s gonna cost 5000 dollar
Half the apartments in Manhattan don't cost "$5000 dollars per year."
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