Manhattan is a world all its own. Being the heart of NYC and connected to the rest of the world with access to JFK International Airport makes it easy to go where you want, but with Manhattan being an island, there's a level of separation from the rest of that world which makes it totally unique. Even though the lifestyle in Manhattan does have its perks and expenses, the question isn't can you afford to rent an apartment in Manhattan, if you want to be a part of that lifestyle, how can you not afford an apartment in Manhattan?
With a quick look online, you'll see that there are dozens of awesome Manhattan apartments for rent. It isn't if you can find a place to live (which used to be the real challenge) but what part of Manhattan do you want to live in? If you need access to the city and JFK, finding an apartment close to a subway station may be all you need. But with great areas to live such as 5th Avenue and the theater district, you'll be right at the heart of culture and fine art at the same time. If your main drive in life is Wall Street, then finding a great apartment to rent will make that walk to work a breeze, and if you want to soak in the history of New York, and the United States as a whole, then you can find apartments for rent in Manhattan near the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations building and the center of New York which is the seat of the city's government and home to much of its employment, entertainment and business centers.
As the oldest of NYC's boroughs, Manhattan is referred to "the city" by the residents of the others, making it truly the heart of New York City. With such structures as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the GE Building dominating the landscape, and as the home of the now destroyed World Trade Center, as well as being the landing point of millions of immigrants in the decades following the Civil War, the history and impact on the world that Manhattan has in the world is undeniable. Finding a great apartment to rent in Manhattan means you're sitting in the heart of much of the history of the United States and of the world as a whole. Again, the question is, if you want to be a real part of New York, and live the Manhattan lifestyle, how can you not afford to find a great apartment in Manhattan for rent?