Moving to New York

upinsmoke

Hi Folks, have the opportunity to move to New York with work, they'll look after Visa, accommodation etc but just wondering if anyone has any tips before I move over.

Pros/cons, general tips etc about living there. I have been to New York before and loved it

coylemj

Bsaed on what rent your employer is prepared to pay, do you have any idea whereabouts in NYC will you live? You'd need to give a general indication of location in order to get appropriate advice.

upinsmoke

I have to have more discussions basically paying three months for me and deposit and said max rent was 1200 dollars I’m willing to pay. So open to good areas or where to love for that price

Spanish Eyes

Medical Insurance. Full stop. If that isn't in the mix forget it. But maybe it is.

Is the 1,200 what YOU have to pay for accommodation and they will pay the rest? I am not sure from your post.

upinsmoke

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Medical Insurance. Full stop. If that isn't in the mix forget it. But maybe it is.

Is the 1,200 what YOU have to pay for accommodation and they will pay the rest? I am not sure from your post.

They will pay deposit and first three months rent. They will organize accommodation for me before I’m over. I then pay the rent after the three months.

Yes medical insurance is paid

Igotadose

Where, exactly, in NY? NY City? You're living in a box under a highway ramp for $1200/month. It's crazy expensive. If they stick you in NJ or out in Long Island, you'll have a LOONG commute (couple hours each way every day.)

Details will help us make recommendations.

upinsmoke

Igotadose wrote: »

Where, exactly, in NY? NY City? You're living in a box under a highway ramp for $1200/month. It's crazy expensive. If they stick you in NJ or out in Long Island, you'll have a LOONG commute (couple hours each way every day.)

Details will help us make recommendations.

It’s Brooklyn, researching myself now the price of accom, feck not looking good, may start negotiating for them to pay half

circular flexing

upinsmoke wrote: »

They will pay deposit and first three months rent. They will organize accommodation for me before I’m over. I then pay the rent after the three months.

Yes medical insurance is paid

Research the plan they are offering. You may find you have to contribute to it monthly as well as having high deductibles and/or only a certain percentage covered.

Igotadose

Brooklyn isn't small. If you are working in Manhattan, but commuting from Brooklyn, it will be slow on very crowded subways (costing $2.75 per ride each way, so a 5 day work week, expect that as a minimum commuting expense. ) Owning a car is possible, but extremely costly (insurance, and good luck if you have to use a parking garage, hundreds per month additional). One can exist in NYC without one. Getting away on weekends is difficult without one, hours of train ride or worse, buses.

Food and drink - well, look around. Last I remember,cocktails at bars were like $25/each, beers around $10. Museum entry fees around $25.

Concerts, shows... hundreds usually, unless somehow you can avail yourself of the 'discount' offers, which aren't nearly as good as they once were.

And, don't forget, you'll be liable for state, city and federal taxes when you live there.

Morrison J

Igotadose wrote: »

Food and drink - well, look around. Last I remember,cocktails at bars were like $25/each, beers around $10. Museum entry fees around $25.

Concerts, shows... hundreds usually, unless somehow you can avail yourself of the 'discount' offers, which aren't nearly as good as they once were.

You must have been going to some very expensive bars.

Standard for cocktails is $10-15 and beers between $5-10 depending. Most of the good museums are pay what you like so you can get in for legit $1.

Obviously depends on the demand of who you're going to see but anything in Brooklyn concerts wise would rarely be over $50. Big broadway shows can be a couple of hundred but plenty of them can be seen for $50-100-ish. Loads of cheap sports to go to too. Can see the Mets for legit $6, Nets for $25-ish on the right nights.

Spanish Eyes

Leaving aside accommodation costs.

Tips and sales taxes + commuting costs are savage too.

OP, do your research and try as best you can to ensure that your contract for NY is good for YOU, not the company. All the best.

cena

upinsmoke wrote: »

It’s Brooklyn, researching myself now the price of accom, feck not looking good, may start negotiating for them to pay half

Brooklyn is the new Manhattan. Getting super expensive to live in Brooklyn

shamrock55

You wouldn't get a dog kennel in any of the boroughs for 1200 a months and I'm deadly serious about that

Fathom

upinsmoke wrote: »

I have to have more discussions basically paying three months for me and deposit and said max rent was 1200 dollars I’m willing to pay. So open to good areas or where to love for that price

Ask relocating employer for suggestions. What's happened with other relocating past employees? Pros & cons? Is there an employee bulletin board that posts vacancies to share apartments with them? $1200 in NY is not much, but sharing can bring good places within range.

Sebastian Dangerfield

shamrock55 wrote: »

You wouldn't get a dog kennel in any of the boroughs for 1200 a months and I'm deadly serious about that

But in Friends, people in and out of casual employment easily afford large loft apartments in Manhattan. Are you suggesting this was somehow misleading???

Necro

OP, not trying to be condescending or anything here but you seem very ill prepared for what will be a massive move and change in lifestyle.

Even the mention of $1200 for accommodation without first researching prices yourself has the typical Irish smell of 'ah shure it'll be grand' off it.

Tbh unless you have a frank discussion about the accommodation and as others have mentioned health insurance with your employers then in your shoes I'd be saying absolutely no way to the opportunity.

And that's before you adjust to the cost of living for NYC.

Fr Tod Umptious

Op are you healthy ?

If so don't get too hung up about the medal insurance side of things.

If the company pay it great, don't let worries about deductibles etc cloud your decision.

Accommodation and commute are far more important factors to base your decision on.

James Bond Junior

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Op are you healthy ?

If so don't get too hung up about the medal insurance side of things.

If the company pay it great, don't let worries about deductibles etc cloud your decision.

Accommodation and commute are far more important factors to base your decision on.

Until they are hit with appendicitis or a hernia or a broken bone. Daft advice in America where healthcare is ruled by the dollar not patient welfare.

Have a look at the Irish areas, you may be able to find a place to share with Irish people and will quickly be able to gain a social circle and support network.

knockoutned

I take it that if you are moving over here, you will be paid a local salary and not what you are getting in Ireland and converted to dollars.

If they do try this, stay where you are. It won't just be the rent that you'll struggle with. NYC is a very expensive city to live in and the cost of living in Ireland is not comparable. Being honest, you would want to be earning at least $80,000 to have a chance of living on your own. Obviously sharing with someone will lower your costs.

Sit down and have a chat with your company and see what package they are proposing. As noted, make sure medical insurance is included in addition to paying you a proper NYC salary.

Check out Streeteasy to see the cost and standard of apartments in the area where you want to live. It will help you understand what you will need to earn in order to live here. The fact your company are paying your first three months will be a big help. As you have no credit score here, a potential landlord could ask you to pay this up front. Also remember, apartments here are primarily unfurnished, so you will need to factor the costs of furniture into any budget.

The only way it could be worth struggling for a couple of years at a reduced salary is if there was a path to a green card. I guess since it is a move within a company you will be traveling over on a L1. Again you need to research this and make sure you apply for the right visa that allows progressing to a green card.

With regards a car, unless you need one for work, you do not need one. You can rent cars by the hour (enterprise car share, zip cars) or normal daily rentals for whenever you may need one. For the subway, if you are travelling on it daily, buy a monthly pass (~$100).

As noted above, every sort of lease, bank loan, credit card is tied to your credit score. You will want to get working on this asap. To help, you will need to get a secured credit card. This is where you cover the limit of the card i.e. you give the bank $500 and they give you a card with a $500 limit. Use this for every payment you make and clear it asap. Within 6 months, they should give you a proper credit card and your cash back. I know Bank of America do them, but you can research other banks.

Fr Tod Umptious

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Until they are hit with appendicitis or a hernia or a broken bone. Daft advice in America where healthcare is ruled by the dollar not patient welfare.

Have a look at the Irish areas, you may be able to find a place to share with Irish people and will quickly be able to gain a social circle and support network.

The OP already indicated that the employer offers a health plan.

Thus health insurance should not be as big a priority as housing, commute etc.

upinsmoke

Hi folks yea it's nearly 60 percent more on what I'm on in Ireland and after a discussion today there going to subsidise 50 per cent of the rent after the three months. Any idea how this would work and taxes?

I'm happy with that after doing more research. I'm getting health insurance as well but not 100 per cent which package yet

Fr Tod Umptious

upinsmoke wrote: »

Hi folks yea it's nearly 60 percent more on what I'm on in Ireland and after a discussion today there going to subsidise 50 per cent of the rent after the three months. Any idea how this would work and taxes?

I'm happy with that after doing more research. I'm getting health insurance as well but not 100 per cent which package yet

Go for it OP

Getting a chance to live and work in the US is a great opportunity.

And if it doesn't work out you can always come back to Ireland.

circular flexing

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

The OP already indicated that the employer offers a health plan.

The details of the plan are important though. An example I know of is someone who pays $150 every 2 weeks (he gets paid every 2 weeks) to cover this family, even then he has to pay 100% of the first $7000 every year and then he is only covered 90%. One serious illness has potential to eat into any savings.

lawred2

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Op are you healthy ?

If so don't get too hung up about the medal insurance side of things.

If the company pay it great, don't let worries about deductibles etc cloud your decision.

Accommodation and commute are far more important factors to base your decision on.

that's terrible advice - make sure the plan is a decent one. Don't be casual about it.

circular flexing

upinsmoke wrote: »

Hi folks yea it's nearly 60 percent more on what I'm on in Ireland and after a discussion today there going to subsidise 50 per cent of the rent after the three months. Any idea how this would work and taxes?

They should be able to tell you this information.

Effects

Igotadose wrote: »

If they stick you in NJ or out in Long Island, you'll have a LOONG commute (couple hours each way every day.)

Not necessarily. I'd a friend living in Jersey City and it didn't take long to get into Manhattan.

Morrison J

Effects wrote: »

Not necessarily. I'd a friend living in Jersey City and it didn't take long to get into Manhattan.

20 mins on the PATH to the heart of Manhattan. Living in Jersey City is probably easier than most parts of Brooklyn.

Lot of classic Irish pessimism in this thread. OP should definitely go for it. One of those once in a lifetime things that you'd only regret not doing. Worst case scenario you come home.

upinsmoke

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Go for it OP

Getting a chance to live and work in the US is a great opportunity.

And if it doesn't work out you can always come back to Ireland.

Single and no commitments here, currently renting. Friendly with a few over there as well who said they'll bring me out for pints with their crew.

Can't wait now. Just have to dwell out the finer details now but financially it's A good package

NSAman

Health Insurance is vital. Make sure it’s good with a low deductible. Mine is 250 and it still costs money.

If you are on an L1 visa remember you cannot borrow, so you better save like crazy for the first few months. Always have a back up amount of cash in the States in case something happens and you need to get home quick.

Credit Card is a must, loads of them available and lots of them have perks.pay it on time everything to get a credit score,

Get a drivers license much easier to use for travel, best form of ID.

DO IT... experience this odd country with weird and wonderful people in the best city in the world. Just please don’t spend all your time in the Irish bars... Jesus they can be depressing.

bpmurray

I went to the US on a three years assignment with my company. The questions you need to ask are:

• Will they provide someone to do your taxes for you? This can actually help the company too since they can pay your salary in Ireland and pay expenses in the US and make it more financially efficient for them.
• You said they are providing a health plan. Will they also provide dental coverage? This was the one that got me - my daughter fell off her bicycle and I had to pay almost €5000 out of my own pocket.
• What about transport? You won't be able to get a loan so will they provide a car? Public transport in NY is pretty good, but you'll want to see a lot more of the country.
• Will you be on US or Irish vacation allowance? The law in the US is that you can take 2 weeks but the company doesn't have to pay. Many Americans don't take that 2 weeks even when it is paid.

You didn't mention if this is a permanent or temporary gig. Assuming it's a fixed term thing:

• Assume you're going to buy a load of stuff while you're there. Presumably they'll ship your stuff over there - will they ship stuff back too when you come back.
• Will they fly you home occasionally?
• I suspect you're going for an L1 visa. If you decide to stay will they sponsor you for a green card?

circular flexing

Morrison J wrote: »

Lot of classic Irish pessimism in this thread. OP should definitely go for it. One of those once in a lifetime things that you'd only regret not doing. Worst case scenario you come home.

I would say that it's closer to realism. The company only offering 1200 in rent per month for the first 3 months in NYC is a red flag - I know loads of people who relocated on L1 visa and one-to-three months fully paid in furnished apartment is the norm. If they are skimping on that then it's fair to at least ask about the rest of the package. No point in moving overseas unless you can afford to enjoy yourself.

Also the worst case scenario is the company makes you sign a contract where they have a clause that allows them the claw back any relocation expenses if you leave within a certain period of time - that could leave you very stuck if you can't make a go of it.

upinsmoke

They'll pay three months and deposit, after that then will pay half the rent. Health insurance paid and young fit and healthy.

Wages are 80K dollars a year.

About the whole health system Norwegian airlines are 220 now to get home most of the year. I always have a bed to fall back on with the parents back in Ireland.

Be grand

Im 32,, not too bothered about health insurance to be honest but getting in. I know from others over there it's a good package

NSAman

So take home pay will be approx 5350 a month. Might sound like a lot but it isnt. Even if they are subsidising 50% rent unless you get a room share at a good rate that will go fast.

I know you may not be concerned with health at the moment, but anything can happen... also as someone above said, dental is vital and you have to wait a year for most policies to kick in. 3 fillings for me (and I am not in NYC cost $1300).

Living costs eg. food etc. are relatively cheap in NYC. So all I can say is have a ball... sounds like a great opportunity.

upinsmoke

NSAman wrote: »

So take home pay will be approx 5350 a month. Might sound like a lot but it isnt. Even if they are subsidising 50% rent unless you get a room share at a good rate that will go fast.

I know you may not be concerned with health at the moment, but anything can happen... also as someone above said, dental is vital and you have to wait a year for most policies to kick in. 3 fillings for me (and I am not in NYC cost $1300).

Living costs eg. food etc. are relatively cheap in NYC. So all I can say is have a ball... sounds like a great opportunity.

TBH my teeth are perfect, I'd probably fly home to get dental of I needed it. Id be worried I'm my 40s about the whole health plan.

I'm 32, good health. I'll be grand

Fr Tod Umptious

upinsmoke wrote: »

TBH my teeth are perfect, I'd probably fly home to get dental of I needed it. Id be worried I'm my 40s about the whole health plan.

I'm 32, good health. I'll be grand

Exactly.

I lived in the US between the ages of 25 and 31

I was single and did not care about health insurance.
My employer gave me a health plan and that was enough for me.
I got on fine.

If I was still there now with a family I'd have a very different outlook.

él statutorio

upinsmoke wrote: »

TBH my teeth are perfect, I'd probably fly home to get dental of I needed it. Id be worried I'm my 40s about the whole health plan.

I'm 32, good health. I'll be grand

It's a good package they're offering, not a great one.

But, if you're 32 with no commitments I say take it.

If I were you I'd get more details on the following things so you can better prepare. None of these are dealbreakers just the more info you have the better.

Healthcare, whats are the deductibles etc. Does it include dental?

If they're going to organise a place for you great, but find out is it furnished or unfurnished. If it's unfurnished, be prepared to eat the cost of furnishing it.

If it is an L1 visa, and you end up loving it, will they sponsor you for a green card (this would be the most important thing in my book).

I'm in CA 4 years now, I don't know the NY market but knowing what I know now and if I was moving here, I'd want more details on the above.

Third_Echelon

When I was based in Ireland I did a lot of travelling to the US for work on an L-1 visa so i got to know a lot of places and nice cities like New York. I moved over to California in 2015 with my employer (again on L-1 internal transfer) and been here since (just coming up to 3 and a half years). The Bay Area (SF/Oakland/San Jose) is crazy expensive and pretty similar rent wise to NY from what I hear. A one bed apartment is at least $3,000 per month. If you're single, house/apartment share is the way to go. NY is a little bit cheaper, but not a lot.

First of all (depending on your experience and leverage) - i'd be asking for more on the salary. The closer you can get to $100k the better (ask for annual bonus info too). It may sound like a lot compared to Ireland, but NY will eat up that monthly take home pay pretty quickly in rent and other expenses. It's great that they will pay half of your rent after the 3 months. That's definitely a bit help.

How long will they continue to pay half of your rent? Just the first year or is it indefinite? Get that in writing!

No matter your age or how healthy you think you are, you need good health and dental insurance. You never know what is around the corner. One of my good mates that moved over around the same time as me (same employer) was going about life as happy as Larry and out of nowhere he was rushed to hospital one night. Turned out to be a cancerous tumor on his kidney. No idea that it had been there for quite a while... thankfully he's all clear and good now, but he never saw that coming. If he didn't have the health insurance from our employer he would have been in serious debt. Hundreds of thousands of dollars. Don't dismiss a good health package.

Health coverage can be quite confusing coming from a relatively simple insurance system in Ireland. In the US they have HSA, FSA and some places have HMO (and many other products). I have a HMO in California that I don't have to pay anything for out of my own pocket expect $10 per visit. My employer pays towards it and I do have to pay something pre-tax per month. That is golden! With FSA and HSA they are like tax free savings accounts that you put money into and you get a debit card to use at the doctor or hospital to pay for you bills on. You really need to research and know which of these you are getting yourself into. It could cost you big time down the road should something happen and you need to use your coverage.

As others have said, if it turns out that you like life in the States and you want to make it your home, you need to know now if your employer will sponsor your Green Card application. It can be quite an expensive process. Thankfully my employer is covering this for me and I've just started the process. For Irish people it can take 18 months to 2 years on average to fully complete the process.

I did my J-1 in New York in 2001 and have spent a lot of time there over the years with work. I'd jump at a chance to live and work there. It really is a great city with a lot on your doorstep (especially in the summer time with long island, the hamptons etc).

I would so do it, but make sure you aren't selling yourself short on salary, health benefits and things like that. Best of luck!

SweetSand

Hi upinsmoke. First of all I think that is a great opportunity for you, at 32, with no ties I would definitely take it.
One of the things to think about - would you be planning to go back to Ireland in few years time - in which case I would try to save like crazy or to stay in US long term - in which case I would make sure your employer is in position to sponsor you for green card.
Another thing to remember - you can’t change your employer on L1. If you are out of that job you have like 10 days to leave the country.
And few othe observations from previous posts:
- don’t over rely on Irish medicine, it’s not the best to start with and unless you are coming from ER it’s a very long process, starting from your GP, referral to specialist and etc. If you have a really sore tooth tomorrow and you are in NY - you are not going to book a flight to Ireland to check it out. So health insurance comes to play.
- don’t underestimate US medicine, it is actually really good but depends on your health insurance. So as other posters said check out how much do you have to pay each month on top of your employer’s contribution.
- your rent situation is very strange, I never heard of that arrangement before. Ok, 3 months paid is kinda a norm for international transfer but I do not get them paying 50% of your rent after it. For how long? Does it mean you have to live in the place they choose? And $1200 per month sounds very low. We lived in California and Boston area in corporate accommodation and it was always more than double of your budget for something out of 1970s without recent updates.
- google your position/wages. When my husband was offered position here - I googled his company name and his position and got exactly (or very near) what last person in his position got. Gave us a great idea at the time.
- yes, tickets between NY/Boston - Ireland are cheap at the moment (low season). Don’t rely on it. In the summer you ll struggle to find anything under $500 return, especially August.
- don’t rely on those “we ll have a pint once you are here” - most likely it will never happen. Once you move - you are here on your own. Totally up to you to make new friends. It is hard.
If I was you - I would do a lot of research on rental option they offer, check out the area through google maps and etc. And is is L1 you are transferring under?
Best of luck!

Fathom

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Op are you healthy ? If so don't get too hung up about the medal insurance side of things. If the company pay it great, don't let worries about deductibles etc cloud your decision. Accommodation and commute are far more important factors to base your decision on.

Many companies pay all or require you to contribute to medical plans. Ask HR about employee benefits.

Runaude

You need to have your company fully pay for your medical/dental insurance. They should pay 100% of your rental needs in NYC for at least the first year. Your income should be at least 100k US dollars. You're probably not going to get it but some guarantee of job security as well. This is a very unique opportunity for you to a acquire a green card and US citizenship so no matter the difficulties if you can get 5 years legal status in the US you can get citizenship which is a huge advantage to yourself and any future children. Take this opportunity and run with it.

Fathom

Runaude wrote: »

You need to have your company fully pay for your medical/dental insurance. They should pay 100% of your rental needs in NYC for at least the first year. Your income should be at least 100k US dollars. You're probably not going to get it but some guarantee of job security as well. This is a very unique opportunity for you to a acquire a green card and US citizenship so no matter the difficulties if you can get 5 years legal status in the US you can get citizenship which is a huge advantage to yourself and any future children. Take this opportunity and run with it.

Check to see if your company is "at will." This means they can terminate your employment without cause.

Nermal

Fathom wrote: »

Check to see if your company is "at will." This means they can terminate your employment without cause.

Isn't pretty much all employment in the US 'at will', outside of government or a few specific states?

Fathom

Nermal wrote: »

Isn't pretty much all employment in the US 'at will', outside of government or a few specific states?

At will employment per the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Nermal

Fathom wrote: »

At will employment per the National Conference of State Legislatures.

It’s something to bear in mind when comparing US salaries to those in the EU. US salaries should be compared with contracting roles here - that’s effectively what they are!

él statutorio

Nermal wrote: »

It’s something to bear in mind when comparing US salaries to those in the EU. US salaries should be compared with contracting roles here - that’s effectively what they are!

That not accurate at all.

Nermal

él statutorio wrote: »

That not accurate at all.

Elaborate - the definition of at-will in the link seems pretty close to contracting to me. Unless you’re saying that better terms for the employee are generally negotiated in the US?

él statutorio

Nermal wrote: »

Elaborate - the definition of at-will in the link seems pretty close to contracting to me. Unless you’re saying that better terms for the employee are generally negotiated in the US?

I certainly negotiated better terms for myself in the US.

Employee rights are not as strong as in the EU or in Ireland but the firing at will part really depends on what State you're working in.

By saying it's the same as being a contractor in the EU you're grossly over simplifying things.

In practice, it doesn't happen that often. Where I am, it's usually a negotiated dismissal as the employers tend to fear wrongful dismissal litigation.

ReturningForY

Just to add some perspective: I first moved to New York City ~6 years ago as a PhD student and in the first year barely made $35K. Everything was fine! Most of my friends in NYC make less (even significantly less) than the OP does and get along totally fine - the caveat is that most of them share apartments with other people.

Delighted that you decided to do it!

AllForIt

ReturningForY wrote: »

Just to add some perspective: I first moved to New York City ~6 years ago as a PhD student and in the first year barely made $35K. Everything was fine! Most of my friends in NYC make less (even significantly less) than the OP does and get along totally fine - the caveat is that most of them share apartments with other people.

Delighted that you decided to do it!

May I ask what line of work you are in, and the flatmates?