Moving from London to New York- HELP PLEASE

[Newjobformoremoney]

Hi all,
In a bit of a whirlwind week it seems highly likely that we are relocating to New York for 6 months. Its all a bit overwhelming.
We have a dog that we'd take with us, has anyone done that and can recommend a service? Schooling? How do we manage that? We have a 5 year old and ideally I would cut my hours to PT (visa depending).
Apartment would be sorted by the company I think, but they have a few so does anyone recommend a good family friendly area?
What else should I be thinking about? What should I be thinking about? Any advice? Any good links?
They'd like us to move in January.... which feels very soon!
Any words of wisdom?

@fairlygoodmother I am starting to come round to not taking the dog. Saying that, we do live in a flat in London... but he won't wear boots.
Big concern is the car (which we've spent 2 years and SO MUCH money restoring) and how we keep her safe

Just got the quote for the dog and its £1150... not too bad, but you're right about the stress.

But... there are dog parks, cute little squares/playgrounds, Central Park etc.

But again, dire in the snow... I've lived there for a year myself years ago but in late spring and that was bad enough as it was hot - thank god for air con!

I have lived abroad a couple of times and would say that it take at least 6 months to settle in. I think I would go down the you staying here route especially if it means you giving up your job. If you can get a couple of one week trips in while he’s there it should be too bad. My husband also worked abroad for a while and I would say that it is doable but not for more than 6 months.

Ok, I live in NYC with a 3.5 year old, and I'd say family friendly areas are: Upper East Side, Upper West Side, West Villege, Greenwich Village, Battery Park City and TrBeCa. I live in Chelsea, but I lived here pre-kid. It's not generally somewhere people move when they have children IYSWIM.

Not family friendly - SoHo, NoHo, Two Bridges, East Village, Bowery.

How big is the dog? Lots of apartment buildings have strict weight and breed restrictions, so if it's Corgi it's a non-issue, but you might run into problems with a Great Dane or a Cane Corso.

I believe you can fly small dogs in the cabin with Air France? Don't quote me on that though. OR come over on the Queen Mary and you can bring the dog with you.

Happy to answer any specific questions about entertaining small children in the depths of winter in Manhattan...

We've just moved back to the Uk after 5 years in Boston. If the company are organising the move, then It can be relatively easy as they will contract a relocation company to do a lot of the work for you. Particularly if you're moving into a furnished apartment.

I don't think that you should be too concerned re the education as child is still very young. We moved out when kids were 5 and 8 and it was a breath of fresh air as it's much less intense. They came back and I was expecting them to be behind but have actually been placed on top sets for maths and English. Science was the issue which I was not expecting. Just research for living in a good school district, it's fairly easily available info.

I would go and enjoy the 6 months and do lots of weekend travel. Although, is it likely that the six months will be extended?

I bought two cats back and it was actually a relatively straightforward process, did it without an agent as the company wasn't paying and Covid has pushed the prices up.

What a great opportunity!!! Enjoy

I think you should take me with you. I can work wherever there is Wifi and can be flexible, so I can look after your DD when needed.

Just re the dog, if you fly into/out of france then it can stay in the cabin. Would be much easier than in the hold which is expensive and you have to book the bits in advance. Wouldn't do that for cats but definitely for dogs. Maybe one of you fly from france.

Thanks @allfurcoatnoknickers and @friedscallops that's very reassuring.

He is 3KG and seems that he can fly in the cabin!!!!!!!

thanks for being so positive. I will come back to both of you with questions!

And yes, furnished apartment etc. They have said 'pack clothes' and that's it.

We would happily fly from France (and there was a 50% chance we were flying from France already!)

I'll be in the queue to come with you too, love to return.

Buggar, they don't accept dogs in business class!

@Newjobformoremoney Happy to help! Also, not one single expat I know here has stayed for the amount of time they were supposed to - everyone ended up extending😁.

Schools here are pretty cut and dried when they're little - you just go to the one you're zoned for, so make sure you're in a good zone and you're all set. You can go to unzoned schools, but I wouldn't bother with all that faff for 6 months. My DS is currently at a private pre-school, but the waiting lists are bonkers, so be aware that you may have to start exploring those options now.

Oh and DO NOT BRING THE CAR. You'll need to garage it, and unless the company pay it'll be something absurd like $800 a month and you'll only use it for getting out of the city. So maybe twice a month.

@allfurcoatnoknickers thanks for the info.
No, we're not considering bringing the car! We'll have to figure out where to store it in the UK or France. What you're saying about extending is interesting. We're planning on paying our DD private school fees here to keep her place. Super competitive to get into etc. but if we extend then it won't be worthwhile. Something else to think on

Ah perfect that Ddog can fly in the cabin!

Misses the point ......so jealous!

Sounds like a great opportunity!! Alas you will be there during the bitter cold spell, but it is part of the magic of NY with the smells of pretzels and roasted chestnuts amidst the taxi noise, and the subway smoke through the pavement grills!
Invest in a warm hat and waterproof gloves as you will need them!
If you like tea, (known as hot tea there!) pack as much as you can, as liptons tea doesn't quite cut it!
You may have love it hate it moments, but by the time you are having to come back, you'll be completely settled in and probably won't want to leave! Make the most of your weekends, there's so much to see on the east coast!!!

I think you'll have a blast!!

Honestly? If it's just for 6 months and for your partner's job, he should go and negotiate for monthly flights back for a visit. Why uproot yourself and your child?

@passport123 because we want to! Please respect our decision that wasn’t the point of this thread.

@sonsmum oh gawd. I follow the Curley girl method. A woolly hat and my hair fills me with dread! Sorry another drip feed but I lived in the US before during university and I remember the cold winters. That will take some preparing for!

No advice whatsoever but I'm going to read the whole thread because this sounds so EXCITING!

Hope it all goes well! 🤗

I agree, this is a fun opportunity. We did similar jaunts to the States for several 6-month periods when I was a child; we have recently emigrated from the UK to Boston and love it. I can't help with the dog situation but schools are easy - most of the public elementary schools in the Upper East Side and Upper West Side are great. You go to the school in your area and can sign up quite literally the day you arrive. If you want private, there are a myriad of bilingual schools in Manhattan. The British School near the the UN is excellent too and if they have space will totally entertain the idea of having a child for just 6 months.

Hang on if you're the main earner, why are you potentially risking your career for six months? Can't you stay at home with little one?

How does your employer feel about a sabbatical? Is that an option?

I think people do expect NYC to be this fantastic place but it's not. I visited in March and it's dirty and unsafe. Similar to London I guess.

Would you tell a man of drop his career for 6month or just a woman
shes c suite visa approved, evidently skilled in demand professional
of course she needs and wants to work, what a fabulous experience too

Southern Manhattan by Battery Park is v nice by the water. Lots of dog walkers and joggers there. Or how about Dumbo over in Brooklyn?

Battery Park area would be my pick of location with a family. Near loads of subway lines, more modern apartments, great playparks for your DC. Granted there’s a couple of major roads that dissect it but there are crossing bridges and lights (which take a while…but still…)
Alternatively upper west side also good for families…accommodation is more mixed…some brownstones, some modern apartments, some old school apartments. There’s a Trader Joes for reasonable price shopping. (A load of bread cost me (£5.50 recently….it’s SUPER expensive now given the shitty exchange rate….I’d try and negotiate a pay bump to accommodate cost of living).
have fun…it will be an amazing experience. I lived there for five years.