Emigrating to NYC!

[pegasus]

We are seconding over there for 2-3 years from July and I would love any advice/ experience you can offer about living there. I have never been there at all so know nothing and will be a SAHM (as I am over here) so will need all the help I can get! DH's work look like they will be extremely helpful but I would also really appreciate advice from mumsnetters including input about areas to live (-good for kids and dogs); whether it is realistic to expect to find a rental property that has a fully-fenced backyard and allows dogs; whether I can get away with walking/ public transport everywhere as not keen on driving on the wrong side of the road; whether there are long waiting lists for kindergarten/ toddler groups, etc. Also any general advice about moving to the US including social security numbers, mobile phone contracts, etc would be great. Thank you so much for any help you can give.

Are there not any old suburbs that still have sidewalks or have they all been removed? Sorry to harp on but I really like to walk as do my boys and the dog! I know we could walk if we lived in Manhattan but then we wouldn't have a garden and we wouldn't be able to afford a place big enough for our families to visit.

I can ask my close friend here in Colorado she's from NYC. By the way don't know if anyone's said but you need a SSN to get anything in the states - bank account, mobile phone etc etc. You will also need to go to the Social Service office to get a dispensation for you as I'm guessing you won't have a working visa either like me. As you will need this to go and do your driving test. I suggest you print off the handbook for the state and learn the rules of the road. Here the big difference is turning right on red where allowed and stop signs. I moved to Colorado with two ds's aged now 4 and nearly 3. Schools are a nightmare in NYC from what I here, huge waiting lists for the top pre-schools. How old are your boys. Some schools even require psychological assessments. If you want more info I can probably get you in touch via email with my friend. Let me know.

Oh and to add to the shopping recommendation Target - great for everything!!!! and Whole Foods for great organic produce.

Oh, yes, most suburbs have sidewalks--all of them, I should think. The suburbs are very walkable, but you'd walk for walking's sake, not to get somewhere is what I was trying (badly) to say. I mean, very similar to suburbs here.

I think Pegasus's kids are young enough that the insane preschool thing won't be issue for her. . .also that's a Manhattan thing, not a suburban problem. I should think, Pegasus, that if you're sure your dh will just be there for a couple of years, you won't have to take school districts (catchment areas) into consideration, which will be a huge relief, psychologically & financially. . .housing in areas with the "best" state schools is typically more expensive than housing in areas with lower performing schools.

Good point about social security numbers. And passing a driving test is a doddle in the US compared to here.

OK, so there are sidewalks in the NY 'burbs but no zebra crossings, etc - is that right? I may still do some walking then (-just be very careful crossing roads)! We do lots of walking here in the UK and I only drive to the supermarket for the big shop and one of ds1's toddler groups that is on the other side of the city. I don't mind if my neighbours think I'm strange!