My husband and I were discussing NY apartment prices just recently too. It is actually cheaper to buy an apartment in Manhattan than in many parts of Canberra (and Melbourne and other Australian cities). As for the comments saying it's not a house, it's only an apartment. Why would you even bother buying a house in Manhattan? I certaintly wouldn't. I probably would only use it for sleeping. We visited last year and I thought it was a great city. Everything was open late, the subway system is amazing and everything is really good value. I remember one instance where we went to a Thai restaurant in the Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood and had 2 entrees, 2 mains, drinks, a shared dessert (inc tip) for ~$20. I couldn't believe it. That would buy one plate of food over here. It's funny because you would think their rent and other costs would be higher. I would love to move there but I work in a really competitive industry and think it would be quite difficult to get a good job over there.
I can't get over the relatively cheap eating out costings. Actually, the relatively cheap cost of living fullstop here in the States. Albeit California, near LA, not New York. Similar experiences for this Thai food.
I do miss my Aussie/New Zealand coffee shops though.
If anyone can point me to a decent skinny latte in Los Angeles, they will be regaled for eternity. (Sorry, Starbucks doesn't count).
What do coffee drinkers do for a decent coffee here? I have the little jug thing and a packet of Peets I can do in the morning here, but what on earth do we drink when out? Is America land-of-no-decent-coffee?