Need info on moving to NYC (New York, Kent: movers, good schools, salary)

[rika88]

Hi, I currently live in Asia and am looking to relocate to NYC to be closer to my boyfriend. Am wondering if it is easy to look for a job? Would it be better to apply for a job beforehand (i.e. prior to moving to NY)? Any ideas on this would be appreciated..thanks..

[Henna]

Originally Posted by megmurry

I've spent a long time going through the various discussions here, and have learned a lot. I figured it would be worth asking for some specific recommendations.

Neighborhood amenities: Ideally, we would be able to walk to restaurants, bars, cafes and coffee shops. A bookstore or public library would be a big plus. Green space (either a park, or just tree-lined streets), independently owned shops, and a farmer's market would also be nice. We'd like to get groceries delivered. I'd like to be able to go out at night and feel safe walking back home.

Interests/ General: Both of us would like to live in a neighborhood with age/racial/religious diversity; we would prefer not to be around a bunch of college students or 20-somethings who party like frat boys. We're not really hipsters. A typical weekend for us would consist of going out for a nice dinner with friends on Friday night, heading to a market on Saturday for ingredients to make dinner that night, and going to a park or on a walk on Sunday.

Other things to note: Preferable commute time to Grand Central would be 40 minutes or less. I have a very strong aversion to bugs and insects, and while it might be crazy, I'm not sure if some places are more prone to creepy crawly things than others. Finally, cooking is a hobby for both of us, so we would like to have a decent kitchen (full size fridge and oven, some counter/cabinet space.) We'd also want a bedroom or alcove to be able to fit a queen sized bed.

Questions: We've looked at Astoria, Long Island City, Kew Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, Park Slope and the Upper East Side. Is there any place we should rule out? Or a place we should add to our list?

Will an offer letter be sufficient to demonstrate that we have enough income to rent an apartment? (This would be in addition to credit check, etc.) Our current income is about 60k. Do we need to reduce our rental budget to $1500?

I think based on what you say you're looking for, you could add Jackson Heights to your list. It's a quick commute to Grand Central, either on the 7 train (20 minutes once on the train) or the F train would also take you to 40th and 6th Ave - just a few blocks from Grand Central in about 15 minutes (again once on the train).

It fits most of the things you say you want -

diversity (check the wikipedia article) Jackson Heights, Queens - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia,
indepently owned shops,
streets with leafy green trees (check the tread on "my favorite tree in the neighborhood" A Tree in Jackson Heights - Jackson Heights NY - Queens ),
a seasonal farmers market,
Fresh Direct delivery - though there is plenty of good, cheap local shopping
tons of restaurant choices (check Restaurants & Food - Jackson Heights NY - Queens )
cafes - a Starbucks and one Brooklyn-style-hip espresso bar, and then lots of places for a cafe con leche
lots of foodies in the neighborhood (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/re...e/31cover.html )
and generally pretty large apartments for the money.

What you won't find is a bookstore (though there is a local public library) or very many cute, interesting, hip bars. Also there is no park - just a bunch of leafy streets.

JH has been popular with and is becoming more popular with writers, artists and academics as it's an interesting, diverse neighborhood accessible to Manhattan but still with excellent value for buying or renting.
Jackson Heights Forum @ St. Mark's - Authors & Discussion - Jackson Heights NY - Queens

I don't recommend the neighborhood to everyone - as it is not Brooklyn-hip, and normally to 20-somethings I would recommend Astoria since Astoria has more 20-somethings. But based on what you said you are looking for, it's an option. If you have the time and want to know more, just browse the Jackson Heights Life site.

[rednyc]

Hi,

I am new in town and found this site essential to getting around. Does a great job of showing what your transit options will be from point to point and the duration.

HopStop.com - Subway Directions and Bus Directions for New York City (NYC)

I recommend Google's street view if you are not currently in New York and want to check out an intersection (limited to certain hoods). Also Google Maps now have a Public Transit link though I have not used it.

This site has a lot of useful information about neighborhoods.
My Neighborhood Statistics - Welcome

[lainermey]

Hi, I'm moving to NYC in August and was looking at apartments yesterday. I found a place on 128th and Convent, 1 block east of Amsterdam, that really worked for me, but have been warned that the neighborhood is not great. Wondering whether I should heed these warnings. It's a couple blocks north of 125th, a couple blocks from the A, B, C, and D trains.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by rika88

Hi, I currently live in Asia and am looking to relocate to NYC to be closer to my boyfriend. Am wondering if it is easy to look for a job? Would it be better to apply for a job beforehand (i.e. prior to moving to NY)? Any ideas on this would be appreciated..thanks..

Unless you have a green card (meaning that you have a visa valid for working, NOT a tourist visa), it will be almost impossible to find work. If you have special skills (you're a unique fashion model, for example) you can get a work visa more quickly. Few companies will pay to relocate you to the US unless you already work for them abroad.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by lainermey

Hi, I'm moving to NYC in August and was looking at apartments yesterday. I found a place on 128th and Convent, 1 block east of Amsterdam, that really worked for me, but have been warned that the neighborhood is not great. Wondering whether I should heed these warnings. It's a couple blocks north of 125th, a couple blocks from the A, B, C, and D trains.

Personally, I wouldn't live there. But others may (and do) feel differently. Walk as if you know where you're going and what you're doing and that counts for a lot.

[lainermey]

Personally, I wouldn't live there. But others may (and do) feel differently. Walk as if you know where you're going and what you're doing and that counts for a lot

I hear it gets a bit dicey there at night, though it looked fine during the day. I'm not exactly sure what is dicey about it though. It is very close to 125th, which is a main thoroughfare, but I guess it being 125, that is good and bad.

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Unless you have a green card (meaning that you have a visa valid for working, NOT a tourist visa), it will be almost impossible to find work. If you have special skills (you're a unique fashion model, for example) you can get a work visa more quickly. Few companies will pay to relocate you to the US unless you already work for them abroad.

Not intending to be pedantic or nit-picky for the sake of it but want to make sure we clarify terminology so as not to confuse would-be immigrants.

A work visa and a "green card" are not the same thing. There are many types of work visa available but are all incredibly difficult for the average Joe to get. The "green card" (actually purple-ish) refers to the card you are given when you become a Legal Permanent Resident, a status which allows you to live anywhere and work for anyone in the U.S. Green Cards can become available to people who hold certain work visas after a period of time, usually if their employer agrees to sponsor the application.

So, in summary, you do need a valid work visa to work, but you don't need a Green Card (nor may you be able to get one).

More info on visas:
Pulaski's Ways: How to Live and Work in the USA : British Expat Wiki

[passdoubt]

Originally Posted by lainermey

Hi, I'm moving to NYC in August and was looking at apartments yesterday. I found a place on 128th and Convent, 1 block east of Amsterdam, that really worked for me, but have been warned that the neighborhood is not great. Wondering whether I should heed these warnings. It's a couple blocks north of 125th, a couple blocks from the A, B, C, and D trains.

My friend lives right around there (on St. Nicholas Terrace) and hasn't had any problems. I don't think it's a very dangerous area, although a bit too dead at night for my tastes.

Personally if I wanted to live up there along the ABCD I'd go a little further north into Hamilton Heights/Sugar Hill. There's a bit more going on up there. I'd check out places near the 145th Street stop. St. Nick's Jazz Pub is up there; nice place to see live jazz.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by tonrob

Not intending to be pedantic or nit-picky for the sake of it but want to make sure we clarify terminology so as not to confuse would-be immigrants.

A work visa and a "green card" are not the same thing. There are many types of work visa available but are all incredibly difficult for the average Joe to get. The "green card" (actually purple-ish) refers to the card you are given when you become a Legal Permanent Resident, a status which allows you to live anywhere and work for anyone in the U.S. Green Cards can become available to people who hold certain work visas after a period of time, usually if their employer agrees to sponsor the application.

So, in summary, you do need a valid work visa to work, but you don't need a Green Card (nor may you be able to get one).

More info on visas:
Pulaski's Ways: How to Live and Work in the USA : British Expat Wiki

Yes, I do know that. Thank you for clarifying for everyone.