AmerLisa

It really depends on what group insurance your company has and what their employees pay. This is something I'd definitely look into. Because you can get health insurance through the company more often than not it doesn't cover everything 100%. There will definitely be out of pocket expenses for doctor visits, etc. Some insurances are better than others, but some won't kick in (they won't cover anything) till you meet your deductible. Our yearly deductible is $1200 a year, for example. Until we meet that, we have to pay full price for doctor visits (a check-up at the doctor I go to can run $85) medical tests, prescriptions, etc.

Definitely check into this!

Reena81

Wow, and they're murdering the NHS here!!!!

Thank you .x

digbydog

As long as you have decent health insurance, have an adventure, and go for it.

I would try to ask your company to put in writing that you can transfer back if it doesn't work out and if it does work out that they will help you get a Green Card.

Hey, you are not going to be rich, but you are going to have a great time in NYC and it could lead to other things in the future.

Have fun!!

deng890

I really think you need to slow down and really think about this hard. I understand that you're excited about this opportunity, but it seems like you're rushing into something too fast too soon and everything you've mentioned so far sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Where to begin?

Living in Harlem for around $500- I've done the whole trying to look for even a semi-decent place on the cheap in Manhattan and guess what- it doesn't exist! Those ads you see for $500/month rentals in Manhattan are either scams or there are some very nasty strings attached.....think perverts, roaches, rats and crime. Especially Harlem, although it's gentrified somewhat it can still get pretty nasty if you don't know where to look. Why not look at Queens and Brooklyn?

$45k in NYC- This is an incredibly low wage for a city such as NYC and is about the average amount a NYC garbage collector makes. After NYC's high taxes are taken out together with other deductions you'll barely be able to pay your basic bills let alone live the "American Dream."

Health Insurance- Don't even bother coming if your company isn't willing to cover the FULL cost. You certainly won't be able to on $45k.

Car- Parking in Manhattan costs about $500/month. Street parking barely exists. Car insurance is outrageous. Do the math.

Work culture- the norm in the US is 2 weeks of vacation per year, and most employers frown on you taking it all off at the same time. It's very much a "live to work" society.

Greencard- very expensive and time consuming process (we're talking YEARS), assuming your employer would even want to take on the burden of sponsoring you.

Your best bet is to really wait for another better paying position to open up or work a few more years till you can command a higher paycheck. Currently, you're looking at a sub-par salary whilst living in a roach motel in a high crime area with potential weirdos and eating ramen noodles just to keep the lights on. Does that sound like a dream to you?

Bob

How fun is that 5 min walk in sub zero winter temps though? Or how doable with snow banks filling the pavements?

And you're not shipping your car over. That's a no goer. Having no credit history, nor US driving history, it will be expensive for car insurance, added NYC, it will be really expensive and your car will be battered.

As for greencard, employer applies whenever they want. You are tired to them, so at their mercy, that's the other hassle, so you want them to do it asap, but they want to prolong it to reap their investment.

Once you get the greencard, you can apply for US citizenship essentially on the 5th anniversary of the card, presuming you meet other requirements etc, etc.

EricK

You really need to think this through. Don't get caught up in the excitement of the "dream", think through the practical considerations.

$45k is really not enough to live on in either NYC or CT. It will be a miserable existence. Shipping your car? No that's not going to happen. Catching the train from NYC and walking to work, even 5 minutes? No that's not going to happen. You haven't experienced a winter in CT. You won't be walking anywhere. Not because its too cold (although it is), but because you simply can't walk as either there are no sidewalks, or there is 4 feet of snow piled up.

I don't want to appear to be rude, but you don't appear to fully understand what the move would mean should you take it. Take some time to fully investigate and understand the realities of what living in the US, and working in CT would be like.

washsaint

A couple of suggestions from me......

Get work to pay for a trip to you to the US to check out the areas, work, etc - doing some fact finding on the ground is a good way to come to a decision (if you have no experience of the area).

Don't even think about shipping your car......I looked into this and unless your car contains a US sticker showing it meets US regulations (or is classed as a vintage car) you would pay $1,000s just to get it modified to meet US regulations.

If you are on a managerial L1a visa you can apply for a Green card straight away - however, on a salary of $45,000 USCIS is, I would have thought, highly unlikely to accept that you are a multinational manager.

As others have said, rent is a small, small component of your costs. Factor in food (similar cost to UK), taxes (Federal and State and Medicare) and health insurance costs and it all adds up. This is before auto insurance which is really expensive to start with.

Nutmegger

NYC to South Norwalk is over $280 a month -- and who knows how close to a station in NYC you might be able to get an apt., so you've got to think of the transportation at that end, too. (The area near the 125th St station isn't one you would want to live.) I'm not sure how you came up with the idea of living in Harlem, but if you have money there are some very nice "gentrified" places these days -- on a shoestring it is not a place to look.

Reena81

Thank you! So it can be done? I just wanna be able to get by and enjoy the experience. Even if it is only for a short while.

Cheers.

Reena81

OK, so I'm ruling out the car for sure. There's always cycling I guess! And you're right, I'm not a multinational manager. It's a specialised role, which might make it tougher for me now.

This thread has really help though. And the minimum salary is $45k, so I'm hoping to negotiate $55K at least. Hopefully this will help.

Just wondering if anyone has an idea of how much money I would have left in my pay pack, after taxes, health insurance, rent etc. Just a rough estimate would help.

Thank you.

sir_eccles

See above re: cost of health insurance. If you're cycling in and around NYC you definitely need really good health insurance.

Bob

and it's not something you'll want to do in winter, if the cold doesn't get you, the pot holes and rubbish drivers will

But as for take home pay, there are plenty of tax guidance sites that you can go to, plug in the state/city, what your salary is and anything that's taken out for pension/401K and insurance etc, etc and you'll get a rough guide.

Ask HR what your insurance contributions will be.

Rent will be whatever, expect to pay more, but if in a grot share, utilities might be chucked in, other wise expect another $100-150 for phone/internet/cable...mobile phone, not much if you don't use one often and do PAYG or a lot if you go contract.

Groceries will be on par to what you'd pay in London, so living on ramen noodles alone, not very much, but if you want something half decent, expect to pay a fair whack.

NM has already given you a rough cost for the commute of $280 plus whatever it costs getting to/from the rail line.

Reena81

Thanks Guys. I think I can do it. I'm a good budgeter and if worst comes to worst, I'll just have to move further out of the city.

You guys have been ace. Cheers! x

Bob

Go for it if that's really what you want...but consider waiting for a better opportunity...no point being broke and miserable for the first opportunity that arises.

Being further out won't save you much money anyway, apart from rent, because then you will be needing a car, commuter costs go up etc.

Reena81

The way I see it, I'm not getting any younger. I defo won't get another opportunity and in a few years time, I'll be tied down with a morgage and kids. It's a once in a life time offer for me and if it doesn't work out...? Hey, I can always come home.

I'll only know how to copy when I get out there, but I've got lots of valuable information from people on this forum and others already. I'll need to budget and need to secure the best relocation package I possibly can though.

After all that, I'm going to enjoy and embrace what I can. You only live once and for me, this will be my only chance to live in NY.