4-yr contract? Did your agency pay for your DPT? My salary was in that same range during my 2.5-yr contract but I’ve never lived in NY. It was enough for me and my husband. Our first apartment was a studio $1000, adding car payments, insurance and other bills, we could only save $200-300/month. My husband had H4 visa at the time so he was not allowed to work. That was kinda scary for me. Although we had enough money, I felt like I couldn’t cover emergency expenses if something happens. I wished I knew better and loaned a 2nd hand car instead of a new one. After my first 3 months there, we moved to a cheaper apartment $500/mo. Then we were able to have an emergency fund and afford to start investing for retirement. I don’t know what expenses are like in NY, but I’m sure they’re pretty high. But I have friends who live there and they seem to do okay.

⁠@@drgrazelle Thank you so much!! I really appreciate this. Regards to DPT they will be paying for it but I have to pay it (tuition) back once I get deployed. Thankss again for this insight Doc it’s an eye opener. Wishing more blessings to you guys out there!🤍

I never paid the agency anything. But I did pay for some of the documents they required from me, my TOEFL and my US tourist visa interview so I can sit for the NPTE in Florida.