Life in NYC

[Tregard]

Anyone here currently live in New York?
Anyone here ever up sticks and move overseas to New York or America generally?

An unexpected job opportunity has arisen for me in New York, and I'm giving it some serious thought. I currently live in London, but I'm not particularly enamored with England right now (particularly since the Brexit vote), and I had been considering a move overseas for some time.

I've been to the Big Apple once before around 10 years ago; long enough to get a taste for the city and its general vibe, but not in the right context to really understand what it's like to live and work there. I know it's expensive, but the salary is decent and I can't imagine prices being leagues ahead of London anyway.

Any thoughts on the place appreciated!

[CIT]

I think NYC is pretty similar to London, tbh, just with taller buildings. Both are ridiculously expensive, populated by assholes and pretty much the only two truly cosmopolitan cities in the world and culturally outstanding. So if you want something different from London, maybe it's not the right place. If you want something similar, but with better pay, it could be good.

When I last lived in the States it was a choice between NYC and Chicago, and I chose the latter and didn't regret it. Much more laid back and down to earth place, but with all the good stuff you'd want from a large city. As always ymmv.

[CStarFlare]

I've never properly been to NYC (for one day, on business) but the people I've spoken to seem to agree that NYC is louder and more aggressive than London but I can't seem to find anyone who would recommend against it - perhaps not over London, but my sample are all London-based and I've never gotten stay-away vibes from the people I speak to. (As an American in London, I can't say I've ever had the urge to even visit NYC. I'd have made the same choice as CIT if given the option of NYC or Chicago.)

Honestly though, if you're needing a break from London/England in general and the pay is a good bump, it sounds kind of hard to pass up. Even if you don't take to it, a year in NYC in a higher paying job will look pretty good on a CV and will be a little life adventure to boot. If you don't take this opportunity, will the chance to live and work in NYC or the US in general likely present itself again?

[GaijinPunch]

Pretty good advice above. NYC is pretty ridiculous these days, so I would say it depends on the package involved. If you get the chance, moving abroad is fantastic and I highly recommend it. But for NYC make sure you will have enough money to live comfortably. For the love of God make sure they are buying you proper health insurance - that could be an eye opener for you.

I moved from Tokyo to Chicago. As CIT said, Chicago offers everything you'd want in a large city, but much more laid back. The size helps with those of us who cycle. The main kick in the balls is the fucking winter though.

[ZacharyB]

Good public transportation infrastructure. High amounts of car traffic. (I'm not sure it can top London or Paris, though.) Expensive to live. I live in a basement studio in the suburb Queens and my rent is $850 a month. Private health insurance is the real shame: $800 a month. Need to get insurance through work or government subsidies/state-sponsored plans.

Good surroundings. You can have a cultural feast in one of the five surrounding buroughs (counties). Flushing, Queens here is considered the melting pot of the nation; number of races per square mile is something like 130. Pakistani and Chinese (real chinese) restaurants across the street from each other.

High amount of cultural diversity might lend itself to lack of solidarity. NYC is majorly democratic, but this is the country that is propelling Trump to untold heights after all... beware.

[Xyga]

Private health insurance is the real shame: $800 a month.

*seizure*

[GaijinPunch]

Private health insurance is the real shame: $800 a month.

*seizure*

Afte someone that's lived with NHS for most of their adult life, it is painful. Luckily, I got a job with fantastic benefits (even people who are my age and have lived their whole life in the US of A have said our program is the best they've had) but that's just it - luck. I'm very thankful, as I know most people don't have it nearly as good. I just had an emergency root canal + crown on a tooth. It cost me $375 out of pocket. First time in my life I've had dental insurance.

[atheistgod1999]

The vast majority of my family lives in the NYC area, and I used to go to Manhattan several times a year for a few nights each. Last time was this summer for a week. All I have to say is that it's pretty dirty.

[Tregard]

It's pretty dirty?? Well that settles it then, the trip is off.

Seriously though thanks everyone, more replies than I expected.

It's funny, I had thought that I was too old for city life, having been in and around London for 10 years. But when I bought a place of my own out in the suburbs last year I quickly came to loathe the small-town mentality of the locals and the lack of cultural diversity (this borough is around 98% white British and over 70% of people voted to leave the EU). The noise and crowds of the city can be a drag but I think I have a few more years of that kind of living left in me before I give in to middle age.

I can negotiate the package so I'll get health insurance thrown in. I'm also sick of commuting so might try and grab an apartment in Manhattan. $850 per month doesn't sound excessive unfortunately (3 years ago I was paying £1,820 GBP per month for a 2 bed flat in zone 3 of London - I split it with another guy, but still).

[ZacharyB]

An important correction... that $850 a month is for the suburb, Queens, about 20 miles out of Manhattan. A studio right in Manhattan, I think that would be pushing double the price, if not more.

[MintyTheCat]

I have not been to New York my self but the people whom I have met and worked with were all sort of hyper. I just put it down to the conditions being hard going; hell, London is hard enough.

CIT: would you expect to find more extreme arseholes in NY or London? I have met many, many in London but then some really nice people too.

I still laugh at this one girl I went on a date with in Berlin who had this 'big idea' about how she was going to be super rich in London. The reality is that even loaded folk end up living in multi-shared, tiny little shoes boxes and she was pissed off that I broke that to her

[MintyTheCat]

Private health insurance is the real shame: $800 a month.

*seizure*

Yep, that seems to be a standard european reaction That would offset any advantages to the US for me. Nearly every one I know moved back from the US once they hit their late 40s.

[GaijinPunch]

I can negotiate the package so I'll get health insurance thrown in.

The standard in the US is that you are part of your job's health care if you are a full time employee. However, the benefits can be very different. If you're a single guy it's not as bad. But find out what your premiums are, the deductible, and for fuck's sake how good the network is. You can't just walk into any hospital here with a cut. You might be fully insured, go to an ER that's not in your network, and walk out with a $10,000 bill. #America

I'm also sick of commuting so might try and grab an apartment in Manhattan. $850 per month doesn't sound excessive unfortunately (3 years ago I was paying £1,820 GBP per month for a 2 bed flat in zone 3 of London - I split it with another guy, but still).

How close to the "cool" part of town must you live? Where will your office be? Queens is a decent trek from downtown. Harlem is a bit closer, but also a bit more expensive. It's gentrifying, but nothing like Brooklyn. I have many friends in latter. Most of them share a 2 bedroom flat (somewhere around 800 to 1000 sq feet) which will run anywhere from $1200 to $1800 each. Manhattan is next level in terms of pricing. It's also weird for someone like me that moved to Tokyo in the late 90's when my friends moved to NYC (and lived in Hell's Kitchen). I paid out the ass for rent, and wasn't even central, while they paid a fraction of what I paid, and lived right smack in the middle of it all. 20 years later, rent in Japan is the same (or cheaper) and that piece of shit hell's kitchen place with a bath tub in the kitchen (not a joke) is $3k a month.

[MintyTheCat]

Kane & GP: very good points.

Tregard: it gets very dicey and each country has its own set of rules and systems but at the very least you have to be fully clued up on the health-insurance situation. I know it comes as a bit of a shock to most Brits as it doesn't really feature in much of life. You tend to be more involved with it in France, Switzerland and Germany though but again there are lots of potential 'gotchas' - be very wary, as let's face it: companies DO take advantage of their ex-pat workers so be really careful.

GP: that sounds scary having to fork out $10K 'just like that'. When I worked in medical tech we had loads and loads of Americans coming over to do deals and buy up equipment as it now makes sense if they are charging top rates for health care and these were not small contracts and purchases either, supply & demand.

Tregard: the other thing: you need to get your contract looked at well in advance and you want to know EXACTLY what happens for any reason the contract is terminated; will you be left on your own? Will you get a ticket back to the UK? Who will be paying your health-insurance? How long will the insurance last for after your contract terminates? etc. Be very careful here.

Not to scare you but: an relative of a friend of mine flew in for a contract, he worked in software development, he got an apartment, all signed up, finishes off the work he was doing in the UK, flies over and a week later the funding is pulled and he now has no where in the UK to live due to relocating and he has a rental contract that he has to pay for and no income to pay the rent with and the company are no where to be seen and he found himself having to adjust to this in a foreign country.
As it happens, he managed to reduce the duration of the tenancy a bit but he was out of pocket and this kind of hits you say if you are using that cash to put some money away for a mortgage.

[Tregard]

Thanks everyone, this has proven to be really useful and has given me a lot to think about.

For the record I'm in marketing, and this role is same company, different office. Puts me in charge of a team of around 50 so I'd be doing alright. Having said that I'm a cheap-ass motherfucker so the thought of laying down $3K on rent each month is... troubling.

The health insurance will be included: I haven't started those discussions yet, but the girl who I'm replacing had it, and I realise it's a must. It does sound like I need to go away and do a bit of reading on how to approach the negotiation though, so thanks for flagging that Kane. As far as I know right now I can expect an apartment laid on and paid for for 2 months while I get settled, a free trip over there in advance to get a feel for the place, healthcare, and all relevant visas for myself and the wife.

If for whatever reason it didn't work or I was made redundant I've got a place here to retreat back to and lick my wounds. I think the main risk is simply that I won't take to life there. You guys paint an interesting picture of the place, not sure if it's quite what I'm after, but only one way to find out right?

[GaijinPunch]

GP: that sounds scary having to fork out $10K 'just like that'. When I worked in medical tech we had loads and loads of Americans coming over to do deals and buy up equipment as it now makes sense if they are charging top rates for health care and these were not small contracts and purchases either, supply & demand.

Obviously depends on what it is. I had Japanese insurance when I was in the US on a work trip and had to go to an ER to get a saline IV. (I know how to rehydrate now). It was $1500 USD and a med student administered. No shit, I can get that at Burning Man for free. A MRI in the US with "normal" insurance might cost you $1000 out of pocket. In Japan they are < $500 without insurance. O.o

It does sound like I need to go away and do a bit of reading on how to approach the negotiation though

For sure. Check into taxes as well. If you live in Manhattan note that you will be paying an additional 5% income tax (that's on top of federal, social security, and state). I've talked to people that have lived in NYC and London and they said NYC is definitely pricier.

Also make sure to see if we actually exist after this fucking election.

[MintyTheCat]

GP: that sounds scary having to fork out $10K 'just like that'. When I worked in medical tech we had loads and loads of Americans coming over to do deals and buy up equipment as it now makes sense if they are charging top rates for health care and these were not small contracts and purchases either, supply & demand.

Obviously depends on what it is. I had Japanese insurance when I was in the US on a work trip and had to go to an ER to get a saline IV. (I know how to rehydrate now). It was $1500 USD and a med student administered. No shit, I can get that at Burning Man for free. A MRI in the US with "normal" insurance might cost you $1000 out of pocket. In Japan they are < $500 with insurance. O.o

This goes some way to understanding why the Americans in Germany often quite like the place: once you are hooked up it is affordable. Loads of Americans living in Berlin.

Indeed, you could get lots for free at BM - never been myself but it looks to be fun like the evolution of a Music Festival kind of thing

[GaijinPunch]

This goes some way to understanding why the Americans in Germany often quite like the place: once you are hooked up it is affordable. Loads of Americans living in Berlin.

I had to pay a lot into the Japanese system b/c I employed myself. That is, I was an employer and employee. I got other benefits though that more than offset it.

Also note I made an edit above. MRI's are $500 without insurance. Mine was $65 with insurance. (Spoiler: no brian tumor... then, anyway).

Indeed, you could get lots for free at BM - never been myself but it looks to be fun like the evolution of a Music Festival kind of thing

Evolution... in that it's not a music festival. Fun as shit though!

[MintyTheCat]

This goes some way to understanding why the Americans in Germany often quite like the place: once you are hooked up it is affordable. Loads of Americans living in Berlin.

I had to pay a lot into the Japanese system b/c I employed myself. That is, I was an employer and employee. I got other benefits though that more than offset it.

Also note I made an edit above. MRI's are $500 without insurance. Mine was $65 with insurance. (Spoiler: no brian tumor... then, anyway).

Yes, generally you need to be closer to a larger population centre to get an MRI easily I find. Yes, there are some ratios with/out insurance and it is a drop for many people - the thing many tend to find hard going is that you may have to choose not to have any treatment even if you pretty much need it. The UK is an odd one, it has a national health system but many times you kind of have to get private health care anyway so I suppose it catches the immediate things but you may well have to wait. I prefer how Germany handles its health care: sure, we have to pay for it and so do employers (especially if you are self-employed you have to pay completely for yourself unless I am mistaken) but it is there if you need it and eventually every one pretty much needs it.

Over here it is actually quite involved to be self-employed and to switch back to being employed by someone else, the UK is quite simple though if you want to be self-employed. Germany desperately needs to encourage innovation and a good step in that direction would be to alter the self-employment rules but, well, Germany tends to drags its feet

Indeed, you could get lots for free at BM - never been myself but it looks to be fun like the evolution of a Music Festival kind of thing

Evolution... in that it's not a music festival. Fun as shit though!

Well, my thinking was: if you have a music festival for five days or so and it sort of has a carnival type of feel and you meet all sorts then the next step would be something else.

I saw that odd looking gladiator pit thing like from Mad Max on some of the photos from BM

[GaijinPunch]

I saw that odd looking gladiator pit thing like from Mad Max on some of the photos from BM

Thunderdome! After 5 years I finally made it a point to go check it out, and they were just dancing in there. I know last year a girl fell and hurt herself badly. Ambulance badly. But yeah - Burning man. As long as it was a simple fracture she probably paid nothing.