Has anyone who responded actually ever lived in New York?

You don't need to earn $70K to "live comfortably" (what does this mean,
anyway?).  You don't have to live in Hell's Kitchen (which is not that
bad an area).  Most people take the subway to work, not only because it's
affordable but at 8 a.m. you're more likely to get to where you want to
go more quickly than in a cab.  Not all meals cost $50 per person.

Many many people I know live in Manhattan with incomes under $50K, under
$30K even.  Anyone who is an actor, musician, artist, etc. lives this
way.

Where do you people get your information from?