Taxi fare? Where do you live? I've lived in NYC for about 8 months, and I've taken the taxi by myself about three times, and that was purely out of wanting to get home faster.
Getting cross town definitely sucks, but unless you live and work on far opposite sides of town, it's totally doable.
I think your post highlights a key point about NYC: you have to live in the right place. I pay a bit more to live where I do (East Village), but the transit options are awesome, there are numerous grocery stores and markets within walking distance, and many cheap or at least reasonable restaurants nearby.
Getting cross town definitely sucks, but unless you live and work on far opposite sides of town, it's totally doable.
I think your post highlights a key point about NYC: you have to live in the right place. I pay a bit more to live where I do (East Village), but the transit options are awesome, there are numerous grocery stores and markets within walking distance, and many cheap or at least reasonable restaurants nearby.