Moving to New York

[TWIJOE]

Hi,

I'll be moving to New York from Paris on November 1st. I have a job lined up with annual salary of $55000.

Can i realistically imagine finding a place in Manhattan? I don't mind a small place and am aware of real estate prices (Paris is expensive too). A roomate would be fine although not ideal.

I'm willing to pay a broker's fee to get a nice place.

Any suggestions on places to look for apartments?
Any neighborhoods to suggest?

Any advice would be welcome.

Ivan
i wouldnt recomend manhattan for 55k. youre more suited for jersey city

[TWIJOE]

Thanks a lot!! I have found some neighborhoods within the range to rent or buy a place but I am NOT sure about them. Could anyone give me a thumbs up or down on the following neighborhoods:

Elmhurst
Rego Park
Kew Garden Hills
Flushing
Howard Beach
Bayside
Briarwood
Forest Hills

Thanks again!i'll have to give you a thumbs down for howard beach, briarwood, and bayside. they are all very bad for public transport. there is a subway that reaches howard beach but its way too far. as for forest hills and rego park, they are quite expensive. flushing and elmhurst are also expensive. if you are going to look at ridiculous places like briarwood, you might as well look at corona, and jamaica. both are accessible by subway.

[TWIJOE]

Hello all-

I am moving to NYC for a job. The job is in the Bronx... From what I can tell from previous visits, commuting from Astoria, Lower Manhattan, or Brooklyn can be upwards of an 1 hour to an hour and half.
Should I just live in the Bronx?
Is my perception of the length of travel incorrect?
Where should I live in the Bronx?
I really like Astoria and parts of Brooklyn, but I haven't spent anytime in the Bronx.
Which neighborhoods are "recommended" there?

I think that's all.

Thanks!
they have redone many parts of the south bronx. it is the closest part to manhattan. many people who cant afford manhattan have moved to the south bronx.

[TWIJOE]

Obtaining a U.S. greencard is EXTREMELY difficult. There are only 3 ways to get a greencard (4 if you count asylum, but it doesn't apply to any countries in western Europe).

The first way to obtain a greencard is for a spouse, sibling, or parent who has American citizenship to petition on your behalf. No uncles, cousins, etc. can petition for you--neither can mere greencard holders. Also, I don't know what they're teaching in British schools, but Canada is not part of the United States.

The second way is to get sponsorship from an employer. However, finding an employer to sponsor you is difficult, the process itself is long and arduous, and the only jobs that an employer can sponsor a foreign national for are jobs that American citizens are unwilling, unable, or unready to take (i.e., chicken sexing).

The government differentiates between skilled (doctors, PhD's, nurses) and unskilled workers, and skilled workers get greencard application priority dates much faster. Right now, the greencard waiting period for UNSKILLED workers is about 6-7 years. That's 6-7 years before you're even eligible to apply for a greencard even with a sponsor. For skilled workers, it's about 4 years.

The third way is to win the greencard lottery. I have no idea how many lottery slots are allotted to the UK (all of Europe is allotted 3000 slots), but as there are many people who enter the lottery, the chances of getting picked is awfully slim. Still, if your name gets chosen, it's the easiest way to get a greencard.

If you are truly interested in living and working in the US, you need to seek the advice of an immigration attorney and not make plans based on what strangers on the web tell you.

For example, I realize Alonzo-ny means well, but the idea of coming for 90 days on a visa waiver program to try to find a sponsor is not a good one. Let's put aside the fact, for a moment, that finding a sponsor is very difficult (and virtually impossible for unskilled workers).

On the off chance that you somehow manage to find a sponsor who meets all the criteria, there's still more bad news--until the sponsorship kicks in, you cannot legally work in the USA unless you've obtained a temporary working visa (virtually impossible to get if you don't have a university degree). Right now, it's about a 4 year wait for the sponsorship to kick in. Because one cannot work legally until the sponsorship kicks in (unless you have the temp work visa), most sponsored workers go back to their home country--to advance their careers, obtain more education, etc--until the sponsorship starts (about 4 years).

If you decide to stay in the US until your sponsorship kicks in, you still cannot legally work in the meantime and you MUST leave the country every time your visa waiver expires (every 90 days). Overstaying your visa has serious consequences. If you overstay for 6 months, you cannot return to the US for 3 years. If you overstay for 1 year or longer, you will not be able to return to the US for 10 years.

If you take a job without the proper visa and the INS finds out, you will automatically lose your eligibility to apply for a greencard. Most likely, you will also be permanently banned from stepping foot on US soil again (unless you have a waiver from the Secretary of Homeland Security, which might as well be impossible). Working in the US without proper authorization is a HUGE deal.

In other words, there is no easy way and no short cuts to getting a greencard (unless you marry a citizen, that is). Seriously, the laws and regulations are so complex that your best bet is to find a good lawyer who specialized in immigration law and see what your options are.

I hope I didn't discourage the rest of you. It can be done, it's just incredibly complicated, tedious, and difficult.

Good luck-let me just also just say that getting a work permit in the u.s. is extremely difficult. even microsoft was complaining about that, and we know that corporations own america, so if the corporation of all corporations is struggling, you can imagine getting a work permit to work for pizza hut

[TWIJOE]

Next fall I'll be moving to NYC in order to graduate from high school in a country other than mine (Portugal), but I don't know much about Manhattan public schools so I was wondering if anybody could help me out with my choice!

I was advised to go to Stuyvesant, because I'm studying Sciences, but I don't know if I can be admited there because of the examination they require (SSHSAT). Since I'm foreign would they have a special Admission Test?

Any answer would be nice! Thanks ***

:)it is one test for all. foreigners and locals.

[TWIJOE]

Thanks for the reply. You certainly made me evaluate myself for a moment. First off, I am a born-again Pentecostal/non-denominational, and secondly, I am Republican. If this alone makes classifies me as being close-minded, then I guess I am. But I don't think it does. I keep my opinions to myself, unless anyone joins a friendly debate with me. In all truth, I much more likely to argue about religion than politics, as I do know my Bible, but am just beginning to understand the government (just started voting).

I embrace people of other cultures and value systems, but like people from other groups, I would just like to have some friends around me that share my own values (who doesn't?). Sorry if I didn't make it clear. I do not want to start a rally, and am not endowing myself with the responsibility of bringing Christianity to NYC.

Although there are things I love about the South (i.e. South Beach, fried foods, the way my accent fits in with everyone elses), the thing I am most looking forward to getting away from for a while is the segregation. The city where I live is greatly segregated and while I think this is somewhat unintentional, nevertheless there are entire sides of town encompassed by just blacks, and others by just whites. This has created a HUGE social gap here, and I believe it is definately one of the reasons why we have such a large murder rate. I definately want to get away from this for a while (if not forever. lol. ) I want to live in a city that is full of diversity. I just think I am getting cold feet, and am probably just over worried.

I googled some churches in the NYC area and came up with quite a few non-denominational ones.there are actually a lot of right wing types in nyc, especially manhattan. look at bloomberg, and giuliani. thats over 10 yrs of republican legacy. you also have to remember that ny has a huge finance industry, and most rich people are right wing. they are rich and they dont want anyone to touch it. they might be different from the ted hagard type of right wing but you will find a lot of people that share your beliefs.

[TWIJOE]

one thing people should remember when deciding whether they want to live in brooklyn, queens, or jersey is where they will be spending their time in manhattan. if you live in queens, your first entry point into manhattan will be midtown. same goes for jersey. for people coming from brooklyn, your entry point will be downtown. so if you work/play in midtown, queens would be your best bet. if you work downtown, then brooklyn would be your best bet. and finally, if you are for example a student at columbia which is uptown, or just work uptown, then you should look into the bronx because its first entry point is uptown.

[TWIJOE]

id love to work in NYC.... i've got an MCP, and been working in IT, anyone suggest any ways to get my CV around?:cool:
if you want to get your cv around look at websites like monster and hotjobs

[antipodee]

i found this through google, have made my way through a chunk of the thread but will just dive in anyway since i haven't seen many questions in my vein.

i am eligible for a one year USA working holiday visa for 2009, (uni grad 2008). i am hoping for a similar experience to the UK working holiday visa that every man and his dog from Oz does - live/work in a big international city, but travel to other parts of the country at times. i would love to live in new york for all the stereotypical reasons, but i am trying to figure out if it is feasible for the limited stay of one year.

i have temped throughout my degree, so i have a few years call centre & office experience. humanities major, but not neccesarily looking for anything degree related, just life experience. i save pretty well, i will have approx $7000US so hopefully enough to enjoy the city not just exist. i commute an hour+ to my job at the moment and it doesn't bother me if i live in hole in the wall out of town. my questions:

given that i would have a one year visa, would this have any effect on finding an apartment/job - are people generally looking for people who can/will stay for longer?

how common is temp work, especially for travellers with foreign experience/ education/references etc? e.g in Sydney there are hundreds of temping agenceies with books filled with british travellers on gap years who get heaps of work. is the short term office work market taken up by internships in the US or is there still a fair amount of temping?

is there a quiet time of year in the job (especially temp) market - e.g winter/christmas or summer? (i am considering maybe 9 months in a city, 3 months in a seasonal job elsewhere)

is that article right to suggest people really going a year without making friends? generally if you didn't mind going to concerts alone and being generally proactive socially, is the social world that cutthroat?

would i be right to think, with amtrak, chinatown buses, greyhound etc, travel to see a bit more of the east coast would be fairly easy/within a modest budget?

or should i set my sights on a different city to get the most out of a year?

[adchick82]

Why does TWIJOE keep quoting posts that are more than a year old?

[718Bound]

Why does TWIJOE keep quoting posts that are more than a year old?


...and 20 in a row! :eek:

[KenNYC]

Uhm, moderation needed :p

[RS085]

I'm a recent college grad (May) who currently now lives upstate in Utica. (the worst ****ing city upstate).

Many friends and family in the city, and I went to school across the river in Jersey for the last two years of my undergrad. I spent alot of time in the city so I definitely know a thing or two. I'm currently just working at the city school district here and saving up money. So far I don't have much saved up at all because I just started but I plan on saving a few thousand to prepare for the move down.

I don't wanna live in Manhattan, because its more or less a destination for me, although Queens and Brooklyn (especially) have alot to offer in their own right. I'm looking in Queens or Brooklyn on craigslist. I'm 23, got a BA in History, and just wonder how much i'd need to make a month. I figure 30-40k a month will be feasible with a roommate(s). I don't have a car, don't want one. Id rather spend the $80 a month on the subway than a few hundred on gas/insurance/car payments, etc. I'm someone who can really sacrifice things if needed to get by, or what I want.

I thought about doing the teaching fellowship but im still on the fence with it. So how much $$$$$ should I leave aside? I'm looking for apartments that float around a grand.

I know alot of people that are in Brooklyn (Wburg/Fort Greene/etc.) and these areas I find ideal because they're semi-affordable and close to Manhattan. I know where to look and where not to, generally speaking.

I'm also trying to get my friend in Jersey to move back to the city with me. Hes from Queens but moved to Utica when he was little, known him ever since then, graduated HS together, etc. Its ideal to live w/ someone like that.

So if anyone can help id appreciate it.

and THANKS YOOOOOOOOOO

[antinimby]

I figure 30-40k a month will be feasible with a roommate(s). You'd have no problem living anywhere on earth with a 30-40k a month budget. :D

Why does TWIJOE keep quoting posts that are more than a year old?Doesn't matter if it's a year old or not. Others later may find the information he/she gave useful.

[RS085]

You'd have no problem living anywhere on earth with a 30-40k a month budget. :D



HAHAHAHAHAHAHA my bad antinimby.

I meant a year.

I'd say at LEAST 40k and depending on the rent and roommates, I could make it.

[withjoy]

Hello everyone! This forum has been a treasure of great information, but I still have a few questions.

First, my situation - I am 34 with a Master's degree and have been at my current teaching job (in Manhattan, Kansas. Yes, really.) for seven years. I make $38,000 and own my own home. My credit score is excellent. My salary is plenty for living in the heart of fly-over country, but I don't really have an idea of cost of living in the NYC area.

I am applying to PhD programs at both Columbia's Teachers' College and NYU. From the research I have done, I think my chances of being accepted are at least better than average. Here is my problem -- how do students live in NYC?? I would rather not live in a dorm room -- a small studio would be fine. (If I have a bed, a bathroom and a small kitchen area - I'll be good.) I don't need to live in Manhattan and don't mind commuting to school, although if it could 45 minutes or under -- that'd be nice. Is that even reasonable? What range of monthly rent am I looking at?

It seems like Brooklyn might be an option if I end up at NYC, but I can't figure out the neighborhoods. I'm not looking for nightlife or a fashionable spot. :-) What about reasonable places for the Teacher's College? Are there areas I should be focusing on? I'm just trying to get a sense of what I need to be saving for.

Also - I won't have a guarantor since my parents make about the same salary that I do (and it seems really weird to have my parents signing something for me at 34! Not that they wouldn't be willing.) I hope to be funded in my PhD work. (That will be part of my decision on where to go.) I have previous experience teaching writing at the university level, and I hope to have a GTA position. (Please ignore the grammar in this post!) :-) Is it possible to rent an appartment as a student with a job that hasn't started yet? I hope to move in at least a week before classes start. This housing issue will help me figure out if I can keep my house as a rental property or if I need to sell it to finance this adventure.

Any help and advice you can give will be much appreciated. Thank you!!

[BrooklynRider]

There willbe differences in salary coming to NY. $30-35 is more of a typical salary of entry level positions for someone with a 4-year college degree.

If you land at NYU, they have extensive student housing throughout Manhattan. While I believe you will be able to find housing for your level of income within the five boroughs of NYC, I'm guessing that a roommate situation would probably serve you best.

I know a guy at Columbia that rents a large three bedroom townhouse with two bathrooms in a great part of Harlem, with two other friends, for $2700/month.

[withjoy]

I'm sorry, I just knew my post would be unclear in some area! The $38K is what I make here in Manhattan, Kansas. As a PhD student (hopefully with funding), I'm not quite sure what I'll make in New York. I have no idea what my salary will be or what kind of time I'll have with a full class load. I hope to work at the university teaching undergrad Expository Writing, perhaps as part of a fellowship. (I have two years experience teaching that class.) During my master's work, I was able to rent a room and live somewhat comfortably on the living stipend from my TA position.

What I'm looking for is advice on what neighborhoods I need to be focusing my research on if I'm going to study at the Teacher's College (I think it might be near Morningside?) or NYU. That way I can do some aggressive saving and hopefully be ready for what awaits me.

Thanks for your help!

[Schadenfrau]

If you're studying at Columbia, look for a roommate situation in Harlem or Washington Heights.

[withjoy]

Thanks! I'll focus on those areas. What about NYU? It seems that Brooklyn might be an option if I am willing to have a commute (which I am.) is that true? Is there a neighborhood outside of Manhattan that would be a good option for Columbia? (I don't have a desperate need to live in Manhattan. It would be nice, of course, but I want to be realistic about my finances!)

Thank you for all your advice. You all are so gracious to help out on this board.

[Schadenfrau]

I don't know much about NYU's teaching school, so I'll leave that to someone else.

Frankly, I think the commute between most parts of Brooklyn and Columbia (at least an hour) would be so long as to cut into your academic work. You might want to accustom yourself to thinking in terms of distance and travel by subway, not miles:

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Outside of Manhattan, you would do best to look into the Bronx. The area around Yankee Stadium is home to many Columbia grad students, and is a short distance away. Riverdale in the Bronx would work, as well.

[alexdf]

I've been lurking on this forum for a while, but I am still puzzled. Moving to NYC in January and will (hopefully) make decent income there.

I can comfortably spend about $2,500/month on rent, and all I need is a decent 1br apartment.

The question is: which area in Manhattan to look in?

I don't have kids, I work from home and, therefore, I will be spending a lot of time in the area I choose. Basically I'm looking for a neighborhood with *tons* of stuff accessible by foot from my apartment: restaurants, bars, cafes, book stores, groceries, etc. That's the main criteria. I hate driving.

I've been to NYC before, and I must say I am not sure I like Brooklyn and Queens (although I haven't been to downtown Brooklyn). I've been reading Wikipedia on various Manhattan parts and they're all sound the same form "good" to "great": UES, UWS, Chelsea...

Would be great to hear what NYC residents have to say about various parts of Manhattan.

Thank you very much!
--
P.S. I did trying to search for answers, but the search feature here is very rudimentary... Not helpful at all.

[stache]

Maybe Yorkville or Washington Heights.

[KenNYC]

If you're alone, might want to consider a studio as well. If you can get one with a clearly separated sleeping alcove or maybe a loft, that'll save you a little money.

[Phill]

Hello,

My name is Phill I'm an Australian living in Europe, I have a great opportunity to move to New York but my education would be useless in the US, so I need a new proffesion, does anybody have an Idea what would be best in two categoriess good salary and accesibility for foreigners, I have in mind simple proffessions ex. welder, plumber, electrician, waiter etc..
sorry for my english, and thx for all the tips:)

[ablarc]

^ Nurse.

[alonzo-ny]

Why are you apologising for your English?

[Phill]

Why are you apologising for your English?

Because it is very possible that i've made some mistakes since I didn't use It for years:(

[rmassengale]

All of the Q&A on here is extremely helpful yet I would like to get some more specific details and feedback from all of you. I also plan to move to NY very soon and I am questioning the amount of money I have to take with me to play it safe.

1. Rent (Harlem Studio 5 Mths advance & Sec. @ $900 mth) - $5,400
** I am moving w/ no job and bad credit. To better the odds of not being turned down for an apartment, I will provide 6 mths in total.

2. Living Expenses (Up to 3 mths while I jobhunt) - $3,000

3. Pots/Pans/Bed - $500

4. Extra Money should I not find work - $1000

5. Hotel (14 nights YMCA @ $50 per night to search for apts) - $700
** I'm hoping it doens't take 2 wks to find an apt
________________________________
Total = $10,699

I would like advice from others who plan to move/has already moved to NY if they feel this amount would be a good amount to have when moving. I feel I have planned for the unexpected job market, apartment situation (should I not find work asap) and whatever may come along. Or, perhaps I'm being naive??? I'm tryint to do this with logic. Please, let me know what all of you think. I want to make sure this move goes smooth as I do not know anyone in NYC.

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR FEEDBACK!!! And by all means, don't hold back on your answers. If you feel I'm setting myself up for failure, please detail.

Do you know anyone that lives in the area? It's difficult to open a simple checking account here for the first time. I wound up living in a hotel for a month when I started out here, with good credit. Banks will not start an account for you with a hotel address. Fortunately I discovered a college chum that had moved here years before. I was able to use his address to open my checking account.

[Phill]

^ Nurse.


heh, It takes years to become a nurse I need something quicker ;), arent there any need's for some decent jobs, like for a fork lift truck driver or somethig??