$7 cereal? $550/month parking? Yes, if you're referring to the most chic organic cereal you can find at Whole Foods and you're parking a Bentley.
Alternatively, you can shop at C-Town or Costco and find any number of parking spots for $250/month. Zipcar is prevalent everywhere as well if you don't want the overhead.
Don't get me wrong, NYC is expensive, but you don't have to make it out to be more than it really is. If you don't make the money to live in a certain neighborhood, think about moving.
absolutely, you are so right. NY'ers are so spoiled and are used to overspending. "I like to take my girlfriend out to eat.. taxi here and there.." Please.. learn how to budget and spend wisely. Eat at home. Take the subway.
This strikes me as similar to the common explanation of why Whole Foods "appears" so expensive when apples-apples comparisons can show prices there to be similar to those of Safeway; yes, the apples cost the same, but Whole Foods gives way more prominence to the super-expensive rare varietal organic local apples that cost 3x as much.
Net result: whatever the absolute price comparisons say, it takes more mental effort to shop cost effectively at Whole Foods.
Alternatively, you can shop at C-Town or Costco and find any number of parking spots for $250/month. Zipcar is prevalent everywhere as well if you don't want the overhead.
Don't get me wrong, NYC is expensive, but you don't have to make it out to be more than it really is. If you don't make the money to live in a certain neighborhood, think about moving.