Columbia Grad School, but Low Salary? (Inwood: to rent, loans, how much)
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Please help-a-girl-out! After graduating from college this past May, I decided to wait a year before pursuing grad school. I now have an acceptance to a Master's program at Columbia, beginning next Fall.
My dilemma is this: I will be attending grad school part time, while working at my full time job... which pays me ~50k before taxes. I'd really like to live closer to both my job and Columbia (both in UWS/MSH area) and move out of my parents' home in Queens where I have lived since moving back from college.
But... can I even afford to do so, given my salary?
Additional questions:
-How much in rent can I afford?
-If not in UWS where should I look to rent?
-Would the income of my parents possibly help qualify me for housing that I would normally not be considered for?
-Any other tips?
Manhattanville - many Columbia people here and this will increase. Short walk to Columbia.
I would not look east of St. Nicholas Park.
You did not mention your program, but for most, it is best to live as close to Columbia as you can.
You might find something for under $2,000. Whether you can afford this depends on your debts and so on.
If you look at something, post again and I will give my opinion of the block and building.
Are you open to roommates? You could probably find something in ues or uws. If you want a solo situation, I would look at Washington heights and Harlem. Do some searches on cd for safe areas. Trulia, craigslist etc
Stay at home until next summer and save 3 months rents ( I would estimate 1800 for a studio/1 bedroom in wash or Harlem) and start funding an emergency fund account( 6 months worth of living expenses - rent, food, mta, con ed, cell phone, internet, tv, & entertainment). 3k x 6 months = $18,000
Thank you for all the suggestions. Does anyone think I'd have a shot at finding something in UWS though? Like, say, 80's/90's?
No, not really, unless you mean a roommate situation.
There were some big studios in 14 Convent for $1,200 - $1,300, cheapest I have seen anywhere other than Inwood.
Eh, the world is not lasting that much longer. Live a little...
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