Places to live in Brooklyn?

[Acrossthesea]

I've got a thread here from last year saying that my DH was offered a transfer to the NYC office with his work. It took a while but we are almost done negotiating the contract & package. It's not as generous as it used to be, they won't now pay for brokers fees but we are overall happy with it.

We've decided against living in Manhattan, our friends think I'll hate it. I've never been to NY so have no idea. We don't have time for a before trip. We've started looking at Brooklyn, maybe Williamsburg, but any other areas we should look at, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights? DH will work in Bryant Park. We are looking for a Clapham feel to an area, no DCs but we are planning for it in the next years.

[Want2bSupermum]

Broker fees are normally paid for by the tenant. It's rare that a LL pays the broker fee. It only happens as a sweetener because the rental market is slow and the LL doesn't want to drop the rent. It's better to drop the broker fee because you can't increase rent beyond amounts mandated by the town/city once the contract starts.

There are enough no fee buildings around that you can wing it but I'd be seriously questioning why it's either or. It really should be both costs covered.

[Acrossthesea]

Unfortunately ex pat packages are no longer so generous, it's definitely one or the other.

We are super unsure if we should pick having our broker fees paid for (anecdotally we've heard it can be 15% annual rent due to our foreign worker status) and that apartments move very fast. DH wants this option as it saves us paying for it. I have no idea if the relocation services are worth paying for except that I would absolutely value having my hand held throughout the process of moving and the first year.

[Want2bSupermum]

If I had to pick between the two I would have them pay for the broker fee. We can tell you everything the relocation people can tell you.

Having the broker fee paid for by the company will help you if you are in competition for a place. NYC rentals are funny in that the broker fee is normally a %. Here in Hoboken it's a months rent.

[Want2bSupermum]

I'd honestly go back on having both paid for. That is a basic relocation cost which they should be paying for. DH has junior people moving to this area and the standard package is for realtor fee, deposit and relocation agent to be paid for. All in it's about $15k. Nothing in the grand scheme of things.

[MakeItStopNeville]

We rented 3 places before buying and we never once paid broker fees, just the deposit. How bizarre!

Anyway, in that case, go with the Broker Fees. Yes, the Relocator holds your hand but only really until you get here. Most of the info they can provide is available online anyway.

[Want2bSupermum]

neville The market has changed quite a bit for rentals. In Hoboken you have no fee apartment buildings but the rents are higher. A 2bed is $3600-4500 in a no fee building and $2900-3600 in a broker fee building. The days of LLs listing themselves are pretty much over in Hoboken at least.

[Plumsofwrath]

Our relocation agent 8/9 years ago, when we were newly married and had no children (so no schooling decisions) was a complete waste of time. I found out more from mumsnet and the internet generally than the agent. We transferred on a gold-plated package, pretty much no expense spared at a time when relocation was still pretty much entirely covered by the employer.

Get the broker’s fee paid and do online research yourself, I say. Any specific questions, ask on here.

[its5oclocksomewhere]

I agree, get the broker fee paid. I think a big part of having a relocation agent is just paying for their opinion and pointers on the local community to try and get your settled quickly but like others have said, there's nothing you can't figure out yourself. They give you a lot of lists of this and contacts for that but sometimes you integrate into your new community better if you have to actually get out and about and figure things out for yourself. Like they can't go and actually open a bank account for you, they can give you a list of local banks and possibly recommend one over the other. But it's not rocket science to figure that out yourself. Ask yourself....what do you think you would gain by having a relocation agent?

[Acrossthesea]

I think the 'where to live' decision is quite important and helps with the first year settle in period. I'm getting anxious that we won't get the area right and it will make it much harder to assimilate. I guess that's what I was hoping to gain from the relocation agent. A firm steer.

[Acrossthesea]

DH agreed with all of you and told his work we'd rather have the broker fee paid for.

[Want2bSupermum]

I think you are overthinking the importance of area. I knew from walking around Hoboken for an hour that I had found an area that worked for me.

[Want2bSupermum]

across i was picking the baby up from school and my phone timed out.

So for moving, the best piece of advice I can share is to have an Amex account opened in the UK now before you move. When you make the move have Amex transfer it over to the US and you will have an instant credit score. This is important for renting and getting on with your life. It will make things like opening a bank account that little bit easier.

[its5oclocksomewhere]

I think you're over estimating how much a relocation agent can steer you towards where's right for you to live. Only you can decide that. They're going to push you towards what areas / towns they like, where their kids go to a great school, what they think are the great places for families. But it's all just one person's [biased] opinion. I wouldn't base my decision on where to move based on a relocation agent who's being paid by someone else. To be very cynical, what's in it for them to make sure you end up in the right area? They don't have anything invested in you, it's just a job to them. You have to visit, walk around, do your research and decide for yourself. I agree with Want2b, we knew immediately where was right for us as soon as we visited. It's like viewing houses, you just know.

[Desperatelyseekingsun]

When we were moving over we picked a time of year with almost no suitable accommodation available, in the end there was one decent house to fight for. I thought maybe we had been unlucky, also we had pets but others without pets also had the same experience. That may just be our city but getting hung up on one area would have been pointless as we had to take the best of what was out there. Look for local Facebook groups of the areas you are considering, go for walks at various times of day in the area. Our agent was great, we are still in contact socially six months later but there is still a fair amount of stuff only you can do.

[Acrossthesea]

@its5oclocksomewhere and @Want2bSupermum you are both totally right. I've been focusing all my anxiety about the move in 'finding the right area' and to be fair I didn't even know I wanted a relocation agent until one was offered!

I think I might need to relax a bit. I'm finding the whole 'limbo' that we are in now very angsty. Pass the

[its5oclocksomewhere]

Somehow things have a way of working out just fine! It's hard to see when you're in the middle of it but bit by bit things get crossed off the list and start to fall into place.

[Plumsofwrath]

Yes, things will work out just fine. The anticipation can be maddening! Also, you’re moving to NYC, with no language barrier. All the places you’ve already identified are decent: you’re choosing between Muswell Hill, Primrose Hill, Hampstead, Highgate, Belsize Park. Not between any of these and Peckham, Dalston, Hounslow, Canary Wharf.

I think I said upthread somewhere that it’s really dangerous trying to recreate abroad what you have at home. 99/100 it won’t work and the settling in period becomes extended and not a nice experience. There are significant cultural differences between London and New York, which are initially masked by a similar language and the fact that in the circles you’re likely to move in there will be enough people cosmopolitan enough for you not to feel a total stranger. It won’t be like moving to Mississippi, Kansas, North Dakota. I think you should get your head around the fact that there’s going to be a big upheaval and move into the relative unknown for you, which will be as successful as your embracing of it will allow.

This could be a really amazing time in your life. I know plenty of Brits who have taken to living here with such gusto, it’s really, honestly possible!

[Acrossthesea]

Thanks @Plumsofwrath I'm not trying to recreate our life as such but more that I've never been keen on NYC, never had any great desire to visit. Even though Im sure there will be things I love about living there, it wasn't my choice to move there iykwim. I'm trying to control the one thing I can: where we live. Funnily enough I've lived in a high rise in Canary Wharf it was pretty nice actually!

The place we live as in the location and the flat is itself are hugely important aspects of our lives to DH and I.

Doesn't help that we've been waiting around for almost 6 months for the plans to become concrete and I need to resign from my work at some point but don't want to do it too soon or leave it too late. I've got a long notice period.

[Desperatelyseekingsun]

My only advice on the above point is to keep as much annual leave as possible DH's company couldn't get their heads round the idea that I needed to give several months notice and I didn't want to give it without a signed contract. I ended up moving while on annual leave even after resigning before the contract was signed because it was nothing, nothing, then next week. Feeling stressed, scared and very tired is normal alongside the feeling excited. I am also sure that being the trailing spouse is the harder role.

[TheFarAwaySeas]

Update: we moved! We arrived a week or so ago and thanks to the nice sunny weather have been e joying the first few days. DH started work straight away and we are now flat hunting. We decided against Brooklyn or NJ after seeing some places as it didn't feel right for us. We are now looking at parts of Upper West Side in Manhattan, mostly around 80th-90th streets. It's funny the things you can't predict, I thought I would love a brownstone but frankly I cannot handle those the stairs everyday and not having a washing machine. We're going for a larger building with elevators, etc nothing like we had in London and nothing like we thought we'd like.

I'm still getting my head around the supermarket "rankings" and what to buy where things, where to eat, etc. The supermarket thread on this board from last year has been unbelievably helpful. And I know once we have a more permanent base it will get easier as we can then buy things in bulk or more things online.

I just wanted to thank all the posters who replied earlier this year. I can't tell you how many times I've read this thread in preparation for the move and in the first few days when it all felt overwhelming.

[Want2bSupermum]

Wonderful update! You see, you know when you have found your area. That part of NYC is amazing. It's such a great area.

[Plumsofwrath]

Welcome! And congratulations! The UWS is a great place to start, and indeed to stay. Great weather for you too. Those elevator buildings are great for a first place, if you have a doorman you should use them. Post again if you need any pointers, but I’m sure you’ll work it all out easily. Happy springtime in New York City!

[sycamore54321]

So funny to read your update as I was just browsing your thread and about to suggest UWS. It would be perfect to allow walking distance to Bryant Park, which is a huge bonus, especially the lower half of UWS if your husband wants a really short commute. I think being in walking distance adds a huge amount, especially when you are new to a city.

Best of luck with finding somewhere lovely.

[humblebumble]

I just noticed this thread and was thinking if I had moved to NYC pre-kids I and your budget I would definitely live in manhattan. So much more the NYC experience.

If you decide to stay and have kids you have years to think about it.

Welcome to NYC! Have fun it's such a great experience. So much going on.

[misssmilla1]

Great news! hope you guys settle in well, if you have any questions fire away on here.