My first New York apartment was in Chelsea, an area that is perfect for 20-somethings like me. The streets were crowded 24/7, the restaurants, the bars, the nightlife was all made-to-order. That's the good news. 

The bad news? The rent. I was paying: $2,000 for a 330-square-foot studio apartment with a mini-fridge and stove and a bathroom with a piece cut out of the door so that it was possible to fit the toilet in and still close the door.