NYC native here (Have also lived in multiple other cities in USA and ouside of it). NYC is a great city to live in. There is so much stuff to do. And the energy you are talking about is real. Those rent prices whoever look insane to me. I know that you can get a one bedroom apartment in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (It is a nice neighborhood) for around $2K. Used to be $1,500 two years ago. I would give it a try. You should live in NYC at least once in your life.