She makes six figures as an artist. It's still a grind to get by in NYC.

Janice Chung for BI

A couple of years out of college and in the midst of a pandemic, Courtney Kinnare took several big risks. The Californian quit her job in sustainable packaging design in Los Angeles, became a full-time artist, and moved to New York City.

"I just took the leap," said Kinnare, now 29. "I was just like, if I go for it, I have no choice but to make it work out."

She wasn't totally prepared for what it would cost her. When Kinnare moved across the country in 2021...