If I lived NYC or any big city, I would get an apartment in a decent but not upscale walkup, remodel it with triple pane windows and live in the middle of it all.
Why not a house within city (5 borough) limits?
Tax is measured in the low hundreds per month, no co-op/condo board restrictions on rentals, and you can end up paying less than an apartment in the right (wrong?) area.
