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?

This is salary. We haven’t got the relocation offer and he’s meeting that team Tuesday.

Unless you have an exceptionally lavish lifestyle that you will live very very comfortably on that. Will you be paying rent on the apartment? Either way that's plenty to really enjoy NYC and everything that it has to offer. We're on nowhere near that and have a very comfortable lifestyle.

That is exactly what my close friend said about the subway - she hated it and though when I first visited her at 16 years old (back in the 80s!) we did ride it a few times she did warn me it wasn't safe sometimes and we got taxis the other times - they're so cheap!

I mean people do ride the buses there etc but... they also walk lots too.

I lived there for a year when I was in my early 20s as I got a job with visa arranged and it was the chance of a lifetime but a year was enough.

Also, not everywhere or everyone has air con there, but most people do. It is bloody freezing in winter though, which is why most people take cabs... And it is stifling if you have to walk lots in summer. DC is worse in terms of humidity though, much worse...

Agreed with what @azimuth299 said, much as I hate subways, with a young kid, I'd be near a supermarket, subway and drugstore. All essential places with a young kid!

My friend's sister (creative, own business, 2 kids) lived in the Battery Park City area for ages (DH is a banker) and loved it for that, but moved out to another county (not naming where) over lockdown and I don't know if she's moved back yet, I think she kept the BPC house. She's a native of NY though who originally lived on Upper West Side.

The point is that, given the nature and scope of questions you're asking, is obvious to those of us who have done this and/or live in NYC, that you don't know what it means to "relocate" to New York for 6 months. How can you possible know it's right for you, without having done even the most basic research?

I wouldn't dream of suggesting that "relocating" to Adis Ababa for 6 months is the right thing for my family to do, when I have no clue what it involves. Unless I were running away from the mafia or something and frankly anywhere other than here would work 😂

$280k PA or for the period you'd be in NY? That makes a difference.

If salary doesn't need to include accommodation & relocation, that is a reasonable enough salary. Taxes will hit you pretty hard, though, plus NYC has city tax on top of state and federal taxes. If you have to pay accommodation out of that for a 3 bedroom in NYC I'd refuse the offer.

I agree, an accountant is necessary - I mentioned it upthread but @mathanxiety is right to state it again. The reporting requirements for six months of non-immigrant residence shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks @azimuth299 no the apartment is on top of the salary. Glad to know it’s ok as it’s less than we jointly earn in the Uk at the moment.

People are only being realistic.

Honestly if you'd spoken to my Georgia NDN who moved here, she was full of plans and fun at first but it swiftly went downhill for her partly due to her DH's job. Luckily. they had a good marriage.

6 months is not long enough to go for. If you can arrange for longer then go by all means.

Just don't come crying to us here if you get there and it goes tits up just cos loads of MNers said "go and have a blast!".

@Suemademedoit you saw that I’ve lived in the US before right? And so has DP (when he was a child).

Not inappropriate at all, ask away.

Sorry, I've just seen your amount OP. If housing is covered on top of that, you'll have plenty to live on.

@GonnaGetGoingReturns don’t worry, I pinky swear I won’t come crying to you! Promise.

Thanks to all for their insights. I’m off to cook dinner have a wonderful evening I’ve got loads out of this thread.

Its not unusual to pay for private school as part of a short term relocation package. It might need to be the British school though if you opt for that. Private school fees in NY are eye-watering but state schools vary dramatically based on where you live so approach with caution.

If you say where you live in London, people can give you a better feel for what neighbourhoods in NYC have a similar vibe.

Is there anyway you can work from NY for 6 months in your current role. Forfeiting unvested LTIP seems crazy if its worth a good amount of money. NY and London are close enough together to make a short-term relocation doable with travel.

Good luck, it sounds exciting

Thanks @LondonGirl83 were based in Notting hill so which neighbourhood would have a similar vibe?

Struggling to see how it could go tits up really. If they don't like it then it's only six months. If it's awful she can bring her child back early. Her job is safe, her child's school place is safe. They are high earners so somewhat insulated from large unexpected costs.

Plus it's fun, it's an adventure. Even if it isn't the decision you would make if you were maximising your income or your career progression, they aren't the only important things. This might be their only chance to live in NYC - a really fun and interesting place to live. In a few years it might be too disruptive for schooling so it's the perfect time.

The London Undergroiud is convenient, safe, and smells like PineSol. New York subways are dirty, dangerous, and have actual puddles of urine.

NYC private schools usually have long waiting lists, so aim for an international school. State schools in nice neighborhoods are very good. My step niece lived in Yorkville.
Ask your mechanic about storing your vintage car. S/he will probably know a secure climate controlled space. If not, contact local collectors clubs. They will be helpful as well.

I don't think post Brexit you can do this.
At least not without additional paperwork health checks etc.

I haven't read all of the responses but if you could get a list of where the company apartments are, I'm sure people will be able to help with suggestions.

I'm only giving my POV. If I was young (like I was at 22 when I moved there for a year) I'd go in a flash.

older and with a kid, dog and DH. no. But that's me.

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

I wasn't telling anyone to drop their career, male or female.
I was highlighting it could be very stressful for dc to change schools. We have moved our dc around the world and I think the stress on them is often underplayed.

OP is a grown woman and I'm sure capable of making decisions about her own career.

The fun and adventure part didn't happen with my ex NDN living in a London suburb and actually one of the best newest ones...

Mind you she was carting around a 1 year old in a backpack/sling and then had to arrange for her just turned 5 year old to go to school and her DH had to work.

Maybe it'll be fine for OP who knows? Like @Ericaequites says though - the NY subway is vile, dirty, disgusting, urine etc and unsafe. There is no way I'd take a young child on that.

I agree that the subway is filthy (as are the streets!) but I use it constantly, as do my young children, and I don't think I've ever felt properly unsafe. Yes you have to be aware of your surroundings and it would be unwise to have expensive items on display, but it's not that bad. I must have been on the subway 1000 times and I've never been the victim of a crime or even been frightened. I've been helped many times though.

A couple of thoughts:
-I think you'll struggle to get visas done by January and whilst having an immigration lawyer will help there is only so much they can do. It took my DH and I a year (with lawyers) and then a further 3 months for my work authorization (this can only be applied for once you're in the country). This was a L1/L2 visa

-personally I think its too much for your dog for what really is a short term move. That said, I also couldn't leave my dog for that long, that's equal stress on them being away from their usual environment/family. I'm planning a 3 week trip next year and I'm freaking out about leaving my dogs that long. Dogs aren't really suitable for a nomadic/international lifestyle.

Enjoy it and go for it! Lucky you! Just being nosy but what do you do that is so specialist and highly skilled with such a great income? Again me just being nosy so please feel free to ignore!

I’d recommend Tribeca.