If I have a project open, and create a new file (CMD+N), I notice when I try to save it, it doesn't default to the projects directory. Is there a way to adjust this?

I know you can create a new file with SHIFT+CMD+N, but that forces you to give it a name there and then, which is rarely what I want.

Im wondering if its somehow related to projectDirectory in .tm_properties?
Most of mine are set to "$CWD" just because every example I saw uses that. 

If this is the cause, Is there a way to set project directory to the same location as .tm_properties, without having to provide an absolute path?