“You’ll have to sell your soul to live in Manhattan.” This is what my friend said to me after I told her how badly I wanted to live in NYC after graduation. I knew that she was right.

There is no doubt that, with the average monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment nearing $3,000, New York has some outrageous prices. However, it is possible to make it in NYC on a starting salary--millennials do it all the time.

People think it’s crazy to pay $1000 a month for a bedroom big enough to fit only a bed and a dresser when they could have a sprawling apartment or even a house in a different city. However, I beg to differ. Here are a few reasons that $1000 a month is worth it (at least for a few years):

1. You can have food delivered at any hour of the day (or night)

Because who doesn’t need a pizza at 3 a.m. every once in a while?

2. There’s never “nothing to do”

Literally, anything you can think of, you can probably do in NYC.

3. There are so many free things to do

Not all of these things have to cost $$$

4. It’s the fashion capital of the world

You can wear whatever you want and no one will judge you.

5. You can get anywhere in minutes by subway

There’s never a need for a car.

6. The night-life is never lacking

That’s why NYC is “the city that never sleeps”

7. Endless career opportunities

There are SO many job openings. Of course, there are way more people than in a smaller city, so there is more competition. But at the same time, there is so much possibility.

8. It’s the best place for people-watching

Sometimes, I like to sit outside at a cafe or on a park bench and just people watch.

9. NYC has the best live music and shows

When artists go on tour, they always make a stop in NYC.

10. Pizza

There’s no pizza like NYC pizza