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Hey Kathmandu,
Given that you have already lived in NYC, how accurate do you consider the $96k budget/year (
https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/programs-a ... tion-costs)?[/quote]
It's very subjective as each person has their own wants / needs. For instance Columbia has almost $2k a month allocated for rent, that's about right. However the neighborhood that you want to live in will strongly dictate what you get for that $2k. If you live near campus, $2k will get you a nice one bedroom, if you want to live in the west village (in my opinion the best neighborhood), $2k will merely get you a studio - if that. A lot also depends on your life style. Do you have a partner, eat in a lot and don't drink? Well if so, you'll be spending $1,000s less than if you're single, eat out and frequent happy hours. Either way, prepare to live in on of the most expensive cities in the world because it is, however, when you strip out car payments (no car needed), gas (no gas, no car), insurance, parking, maintenance, etc., it really isn't the drastically more expensive city people like to paint it as . Further, with paying the "new york premium", you truly do benefit from having NYC at your fingertips - that means the museums, street fairs, bars, restaurants, parks, events, concerts, sports, etc. There's tremendous value in that. Anyway, I hope that helps.
For reference I'm planning in living in my old neighborhood, the west village, and looking for roommates. The commute would be the express train to campus, about 10-15 mins. PM if interested.
Cheers