You didn't add in the cost of taxis and trains.
> Also, a solo studio is a luxurious way to live in New York
A cramped crappy apartment with no bedroom is not luxurious just because it's more expensive than a crappier shared apartment with no bedroom.
Sure, add back $200/month. It’s still night and day to owning a private car.
> cramped crappy apartment with no bedroom is not luxurious just because it's more expensive than a crappier shared apartment with no bedroom
I mean, my friend’s $5mm new build skipped on radiant heating. (And the marble was cut mid seam!) Clearly not luxury, eh?
In this case, the cost premium is prima facie evidence of private living conditions’ luxury.