It depends on where you want to go around the NYC area. NJ or Long Island are options, neither of which are cheap to live. There are a few flight schools at FRG and ISP on Long Island. I'm not sure what CFI pay is at any of the schools there. Rent on Long Island for a 1 bedroom apartment runs around $1000+/month, and they are usually either a basement or on the second floor of a house. There are very few apartment complexes, and they are $$. Hope this helps a little.