Low budget living situations in NYC...?

Question

I'm attempting to write a book and I have decided that my main character will live in New York City. But I'm not sure where exactly. I know that living in the actual city can be very expensive so where could I have my character live near the city? Thanks

Answer 1

Spanish Harlem

around Amsterdam ave. up in the 100's

Answer 2

Lower West Side. Maybe Brooklyn.

Answer 3

Ok, we know that the character has a low income, but what about his ethnic background?  We may hate to admit it, but NYC has it's ethnic divisions.  Most people live where they are comfortable.  Washington Heights and Inwood on the upper part of Manhattan is pretty divers, mostly Dominicans but still has some of the old Irish as well and has affordable housing.  Harlem is becoming expensive since Bill Clinton set up shop on 125th street and a lot of the Downtown folks have followed him there.  But would your character feel at ease in an environment that may sometimes be resentful?  Another choice is the lower east side, but that could be tricky.  On one side of the street there could be the rich and famous and the other side, the poor and struggling (mostly artist).  As for living near the city, maybe one of the outer boroughs.  I would go with Staten Island, because that boro needs to make a name for it's self and in literature it would be a good start.   Good luck

Answer 4

Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx.