The affordability crisis is having a profound effect on the lives of New Yorkers. Whether the topic is rent, food, child care or the occasional splurge on a matcha latte, the question on everyone’s mind is: How much money do you have, and how do you spend it?
Every Sunday, we’ll introduce you to a different family or individual and walk you through how they’re making it work in New York — one of the most expensive cities on the planet — and why living there feels worth it to them. This week, meet the Pacheco family. Who are they? Erika Fernandez-Pacheco, her husband, Manuel Pacheco, and their two daughters live on about $168,000 a year. Where do they live? In a two-bedroom, 700-square-foot apartment in East Elmhurst, Queens. Their landlord has not raised their monthly $1,800 rent since 2021, when they moved in. How do they save?
What do they splurge on?
What do they say? “We’re not just getting by — we have a life.”— Erika Fernandez-Pacheco To see more photos of the family and details about their budget, click here. What to read about money in America
We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.
Glad we could get together here. Davaughnia Wilson and Tara Terranova contributed to New York Today. You can reach the team at nytoday@nytimes.com. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
|
