In terms of anecdata, however, New York is famous for its shitty apartments and byzantine lending process. I don't recall ever being shown good, affordable apartment in the area where I live--and I have a good job. Bug infestations, code violations, warped walls and floors, heating systems a century old, wasteful lack of insulation running up the A/C bill and wasting energy--all these are the norm in a part of America many times more expensive than usual. If you have an everyday middle class job there's not a chance you will be able to enjoy a good apartment near the city.
But I'm glad you're happy. You obviously deserve being rewarded for randomly renting the right apartment at the right time at no economic risk to yourself. It's only fitting that you use your lucky position as an excuse to exclude others as much as you can.