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Also: there's the Manhattan people typically think of, and then the reality that it's a large island with a wide variety of housing. Most folks who aren't from NYC think don't realise that world continues past 110th st (or, let's be honest, past 86th).

Sure, but you’re trading accessibility/entertainment/<something else people value and typically accept as a given for living in Manhattan>. At a certain point, it makes more sense to leave Manhattan to one of the other boroughs, go across the river to New Jersey, or move further up to Westchester/ Long Island. Your money goes further there (housing, groceries).

My point was that looking at median rents while dreaming of Midtown or Tribeca is not a realistic way to assess the realities of living in Manhattan.

Splurge for 2.5k studio in midtown and you still have enough spare cash.

We can argue exactly what one would pay for Manhattan rent but

1. $1800 isn't that far off for studio rent, multiple listings on apartment.com show that right now

2. Most New Yorkers don't live in Manhattan anyway. I purposely overstated New Yorker's rent costs to prove my point.