u/greenflips

Hey all,

I quit my job back in February after about 12 years working in video editing at Apple (a mix of contractor and staff roles). My current net worth is around $980k after the recent market pullback.

Quitting has been one of the best decisions I've made. I'll be traveling for most of 2026, but I've been daydreaming about a version of BaristaFIRE beginning in NYC early 2027.

The idea is to buy a condo or co-op with mostly or all cash, dramatically lower my monthly expenses, and then work because I want to, not because I have to.

A big part of this isn't just the financial side. A stable place to call home in my favorite city would be huge for my psyche.

Part of the appeal is psychological. Right now, a huge portion of my net worth exists as numbers on a brokerage statement that fluctuate every day. There's nothing wrong with that, but the idea of converting part of it into a real home, a tangible place that anchors my life, has become increasingly appealing. Yes yes, the 2 places I have deep community is NYC and SF, not the cheapest options. But here we are.

Current assets:

• ~$230k in retirement accounts
• ~$750k in taxable investments
  • ~$260k of that is Apple stock
  • ~$50k of that in NVDA
  • The rest is a mix of index funds and individual stocks

The purchase would likely require selling a significant amount of my taxable portfolio, so I'd also have to plan for the capital gains tax hit during the first year.

Why NYC?

San Francisco and New York have been the two biggest sources of community in my adult life. Grew up just across the river in New Jersey, I lived in NYC as a broke art student years ago and always imagined returning under very different circumstances. I love the museums, galleries, photography community, and just walking the city. It's home.

I have a solid network there already and could realistically pick up freelance video editing work, or even something lower stress at a museum or arts institution. I don't mind working, I just don't want to return to the kind of career that made me burn out.

I've been looking at places roughly in the $350k–575k range.

Option 1 – Prospect Heights

• $575k
• $890/month maintenance (taxes included)
• Absolute favorite neighborhood, but probably stretching my budget.

https://streeteasy.com/building/806-washington-avenue-brooklyn/3c

Option 2 – Crown Heights

• $365k
• $572/month maintenance (taxes included)

https://streeteasy.com/building/952-st-marks-avenue-brooklyn/d7

Option 3 – Ditmas Park

• $400k
• $858/month maintenance (taxes included)

https://streeteasy.com/building/601-east-19-street-brooklyn/4m

For those who have made a similar transition:

• Does buying a NYC apartment as part of a BaristaFIRE plan seem reasonable, or am I overlooking something major?
• Would you pay cash to keep fixed monthly expenses low, or keep more invested and finance part of the purchase?
• Am I underestimating the downside of concentrating roughly half my net worth into a primary residence?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's made a similar move or wrestled with the same decision.