Since moving to NYC, I'm surprisingly close to cashflow neutral. The cost of living is crazy expensive here.

I'm for sure timing my exit based on the vesting schedule.

Just an FYI, if you're ok with not being in Manhattan or the cool parts of Brooklyn, it's really not that bad.

I live pretty far east in Brooklyn. I'm still only a few blocks away from a train; apartments in this area, even with a bedroom, can go for less than $2,000/month. Not "cheap" but not unlivable either.