My initial thought was this wasn’t a bad idea. Heck, my first apartment probably wasn’t 300 sq. ft. It might get some kids out of there parents home.
But $1200-$1700??? That’s just crazy. It’s not as bad as New York, but close.
????!?
In the very nice UES of Manhattan there are many, many , many 475 SQ studios available for 14-1,600.
My gf had one for two years before we moved into a 1000sqft 2bed two full path with 15X7 foot terrace.
I’ve been blessed to afford that with two incomes, but you’re figures are way off sir.