How would you invest $100,000 cash in NYC?

[Michael L.]

I've seen a few different forums asking similar questions, but none of them spoke to my situation exactly, so here it is:

I'm 29yo, single, no debt of any kind (no student loans), I have a low six figures brokerage account I from inheritance that is being managed for me. I had a lucrative job after college and saved $100,000 that I would like to invest wisely. Since my brokerage account is well-diversified in stocks and bonds, I'm looking to do something different, more interesting, and perhaps riskier with my cash.

I've always wanted to own real estate, but I live in NYC where $100,000 won't get you very far as best as I can tell, unless you have a great job and can afford to carry a big mortgage. I currently earn enough money to meet my expenses, but that's it.

Is there anything I can do with my $100,000 in NYC real estate? If I can get the hang of it, I wouldn't mind turning this investing into a career that can support my more creative outlets (writing, among other things), which is what I'm pursuing right now.

Thoughts?

On a separate but related note, I'm sure most of you will tell me how much research I need to do and all how much there is I need to know. I am well aware that, as with anything else in life, if it were that easy to make money doing something, then everyone would do that - so I expect to have a lot of research to do. As someone new to this, I actually don't even know what it is I don't know, so I would appreciate someone advice to that end, and some recommended books, websites, etc. I'm a smart guy and a fast learner, just need to be pointed in the right direction.

Thanks!