I'm moving to New York July 1. Really excited about life in the big city, especially after suburban san diego for 4 years. Spouse is starting residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital. They are offering housing at prices ranging from $1600 for a low-floor 600 sf. 1 bedroom to $1750 for a top floor 650 s.f. 1 bedroom in the Helmsley Medical Tower (34 story) located at York at 70th St. Building has doorman Her work is divided 50/50 between adjacent Hospital and Cornell/Columbia Hospital at 168th St. They have a free shuttle bus connecting the two every 30 minutes.

I'll be studying/working as a grad student/TA at Columbia 4 days per week at their main campus.

1. Question: Is the apartment they offer the best option given market rates? I know NYC is expensive, and I'm not sure how "subsidized" these apartments are given the location and alternatives. Could we expect to find anything cheaper around 168th that is still in a decent neighborhood? Her salary is minimal and my stipend even less.

Additionally, I will be going to Linden, NJ airport twice per week (flight instructor job - I want to keep my skills current). I looked at all the public transportation options, and it seems expensive and time consuming: 2 subways to get to Penn Station, NJ transit train to Linden, cab to airport for a total of $32 round trip and more than 2 hours each way in transit. She is on a waiting list for on-site parking - $217 per month (deducted pre-tax) for 24/7 access, but it may take 6-12 months to clear. We have an old but reliable car (market value maybe $2000) that has combined insurance and registration of only $300 per year here in California. We'll be driving a rental truck, and the additional cost to tow the car is about $250.

2. Does anyone have experience with what the street parking situation like in that vicinity? Would it be stupid to try to move it around for alternate side parking restrictions for 6-12 months? I looked at monthly parking garages in the area, and all are over $450/mo. Could you suggest any area that I could find parking (street or paylot) and take the subway to access easily - Harlem, Queens, Bronx?

3. Assuming parking in the long term for ~$217, would something like Zipcar make more sense? I assume we would use the car once per week for shopping/hiking/etc., and I'd be using it twice a week to go to Linden.

4. How long can we get away with keeping California plates? I remember that my parents kept their PA licenses and registration for 4 years when we moved to California - only when my mom got a speeding ticket were they forced to switch over. I'm guessing switching insurance (even liability only) to a NYC address would change the economics equation significantly.

Thanks for the advice - FT is always the most relevant source of information.