NYC affordable on this transfer?
#31
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Nine months at Columbia University, at the northern end of Manhattan, will cost a student $25,140 according to their cost of living outline:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/finaid/cost/index.html
This is living in a college apartment probably with a roommate in your room (not sharing a flat, but sharing a bedroom). It is also for 9 months, so if you expand that out to say 12 months you get this figure:
$31,425 for 12 months in NY
Now, $45,000 run through a payroll calculator that deducts your tax withholding, etc (you will have federal, state, local and social security/medicare) results in you getting paid, over the course of a year, about:
$33,080.06 take home pay per year.
This does not include the health insurance you'll probably have to pay for, which could be a few hundred a month (say $200 for argument's sake). That reduces your take home to:
$30,680.06.
So in the end, if you are coming over on a salary of $45,000 a year and living in New York City, you should expect to live WORSE than a college kid lives in New York City.
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/finaid/cost/index.html
This is living in a college apartment probably with a roommate in your room (not sharing a flat, but sharing a bedroom). It is also for 9 months, so if you expand that out to say 12 months you get this figure:
$31,425 for 12 months in NY
Now, $45,000 run through a payroll calculator that deducts your tax withholding, etc (you will have federal, state, local and social security/medicare) results in you getting paid, over the course of a year, about:
$33,080.06 take home pay per year.
This does not include the health insurance you'll probably have to pay for, which could be a few hundred a month (say $200 for argument's sake). That reduces your take home to:
$30,680.06.
So in the end, if you are coming over on a salary of $45,000 a year and living in New York City, you should expect to live WORSE than a college kid lives in New York City.
Last edited by penguinsix; Jun 21st 2011 at 2:28 am.
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Wanaque, Northern New Jersey
Posts: 270
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Hi there,
About to apply for a job with my company's US office in Connecticut. (FYI I'm a British citizen).
I'm confident I'll get it, as me and the employer have been talking about it for months and she told me to apply last week. Having said that, you never know, they might give it to some else!
Anyway, I'm already thinking ahead. Obviously my move would be based on a L1 visa. How soon can I change to a H1B visa or even a green card?
Also, the salary will be roughly $45k. I'm only applying for the job, as I'm crazy about NYC and I want to experience the american dream for however long I can.
My plan is to live in Harlem, near 125th Street Station. The train to my CN office, then only takes 45mins.
On this salary, is it affordable to live in Harlem? It's also, very close to the heart of the city
What do you think? Good plan?
About to apply for a job with my company's US office in Connecticut. (FYI I'm a British citizen).
I'm confident I'll get it, as me and the employer have been talking about it for months and she told me to apply last week. Having said that, you never know, they might give it to some else!
Anyway, I'm already thinking ahead. Obviously my move would be based on a L1 visa. How soon can I change to a H1B visa or even a green card?
Also, the salary will be roughly $45k. I'm only applying for the job, as I'm crazy about NYC and I want to experience the american dream for however long I can.
My plan is to live in Harlem, near 125th Street Station. The train to my CN office, then only takes 45mins.
On this salary, is it affordable to live in Harlem? It's also, very close to the heart of the city
What do you think? Good plan?
American Dream = "I just almost choked on my nightcap"
#33
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
I was once fired from a job because I had to dig my car out of 2 feet of snow before I could drive to work. My workday started at 8am, I arrived at 8.03am and I was gone. That may sound severe, but I'm not making it up. The level of friendliness isn't the same as in the UK, often the sense of comraderie isn't there. Co-workers often police what you're doing and the mistakes you're making, they're out for themselves, not to make friends with you. As a Brit, you'll be a novelty, one that will wear off quickly and it may exasperate people when they can't understand what you're saying, (happened to me more times than I care to remember) or you struggle with things like not knowing what the sound on the end of the telephone means, how to write out a cheque, or how to dial long distance on a fax machine or with the american jargon.
Of course there are exceptions to the rule but I can only tell you from my experiences so far.
Obviously the reaction of people on this board has been "don't do it, its not worth it" and honestly, no it isn't. Not for the experience or the money you'll be making. We can see this because we're on the other end of the experience,and we can clearly see what you're heading into, but you can't because you haven't experienced it. You have to find out for yourself. Even if you have a miserable time. It will be a rude awakening, there's no two ways about it but sometimes you just need to discover that for yourself. I wouldn't commit to a contract of staying here for any longer than a year.
Last edited by Sarah; Jun 22nd 2011 at 12:52 am.
#34
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Hi there,
About to apply for a job with my company's US office in Connecticut. (FYI I'm a British citizen).
I'm confident I'll get it, as me and the employer have been talking about it for months and she told me to apply last week. Having said that, you never know, they might give it to some else!
Anyway, I'm already thinking ahead. Obviously my move would be based on a L1 visa. How soon can I change to a H1B visa or even a green card?
About to apply for a job with my company's US office in Connecticut. (FYI I'm a British citizen).
I'm confident I'll get it, as me and the employer have been talking about it for months and she told me to apply last week. Having said that, you never know, they might give it to some else!
Anyway, I'm already thinking ahead. Obviously my move would be based on a L1 visa. How soon can I change to a H1B visa or even a green card?
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Corpor...tion-Australia
Green card - your employer has to sponsor, and even with employer sponsorship, it might take years. If anything goes wrong with your job, you'll have a one way trip back home.
#35
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
I know you want to experience living in the city, but you have other options maybe to cut down your monthly expenses. You could live in CT, near where the job is and that would save you money on your commute every day from NY. It would also mean that you would be able to get to and from work easily without having to sit on a train, which let me tell you is extremely busy at peak times. This Winter was a really long and hard and I really don't fancy doing all that travelling in the middle of winter when there's 2 foot of snow on the ground. My OH drives from Bethel CT to White Plains NY every day which is anything from 45 mins to an hour each way and he really struggled some days when the weather was bitterly cold.
As I said, we live in Bethel and when we feel like it, we just jump on the train to NYC. It takes about an hour and 40 mins with a change at South Norwalk but is around $21.50 return off peak at the weekend and gets you to the city around lunch time. I could really go to NY any day I please tbh and maybe think this might be an option for you. On the salary they're providing, even if you are able to get them to move it up to $55,000, you want to have enough money in the bank every month to be able to go out, experience and enjoy the multitude of things that the city has to offer. It's just a suggestion, I hope it all works out for you, so good luck
As I said, we live in Bethel and when we feel like it, we just jump on the train to NYC. It takes about an hour and 40 mins with a change at South Norwalk but is around $21.50 return off peak at the weekend and gets you to the city around lunch time. I could really go to NY any day I please tbh and maybe think this might be an option for you. On the salary they're providing, even if you are able to get them to move it up to $55,000, you want to have enough money in the bank every month to be able to go out, experience and enjoy the multitude of things that the city has to offer. It's just a suggestion, I hope it all works out for you, so good luck
#36
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 33
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
I know you want to experience living in the city, but you have other options maybe to cut down your monthly expenses. You could live in CT, near where the job is and that would save you money on your commute every day from NY. It would also mean that you would be able to get to and from work easily without having to sit on a train, which let me tell you is extremely busy at peak times. This Winter was a really long and hard and I really don't fancy doing all that travelling in the middle of winter when there's 2 foot of snow on the ground. My OH drives from Bethel CT to White Plains NY every day which is anything from 45 mins to an hour each way and he really struggled some days when the weather was bitterly cold.
As I said, we live in Bethel and when we feel like it, we just jump on the train to NYC. It takes about an hour and 40 mins with a change at South Norwalk but is around $21.50 return off peak at the weekend and gets you to the city around lunch time. I could really go to NY any day I please tbh and maybe think this might be an option for you. On the salary they're providing, even if you are able to get them to move it up to $55,000, you want to have enough money in the bank every month to be able to go out, experience and enjoy the multitude of things that the city has to offer. It's just a suggestion, I hope it all works out for you, so good luck
As I said, we live in Bethel and when we feel like it, we just jump on the train to NYC. It takes about an hour and 40 mins with a change at South Norwalk but is around $21.50 return off peak at the weekend and gets you to the city around lunch time. I could really go to NY any day I please tbh and maybe think this might be an option for you. On the salary they're providing, even if you are able to get them to move it up to $55,000, you want to have enough money in the bank every month to be able to go out, experience and enjoy the multitude of things that the city has to offer. It's just a suggestion, I hope it all works out for you, so good luck
If I get there, I'll be sure to post back here to let you all know how I get on. Ultimately, I just can't give up this opportunity. I love New York so much and I know I won't be put on a plate in front of me again.
I want to die with no regrets. None at all and this would be one of them.
Cheers.
#37
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
I can tell you right now that my STARTING salary with NO experience back in 2001 in Texas (which is far cheaper - my rent actually was $550 and I had my own 600 sq ft apt) was $45K. Cost of living down there was so low I used to put a $1000 a month into a savings account cos I didn't know what to do with it. Oh, those were the days
To get $45K in NYC in 2011 is insultingly low quite frankly.
To push for near double wouldn't be unreasonable IMO.
To get $45K in NYC in 2011 is insultingly low quite frankly.
To push for near double wouldn't be unreasonable IMO.
#38
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Yeah, if they know she's good enough for a visa, then they're playing her for a fool and desperation because it's a bit of a joke.
To the OP....how do you plan to relocate if things don't work out? Others have said you'd be broke, so how are you going to afford to fill out a crummy apartment, even getting stuff off craigslist? And then move if it doesn't work out?
If you really want to take this opportunity, take the advice of living closer to the job, in CT and just taking the train into NYC when you fancy, because you won't have time nor money to go out and enjoy it after commuting all hours to and from work.
To the OP....how do you plan to relocate if things don't work out? Others have said you'd be broke, so how are you going to afford to fill out a crummy apartment, even getting stuff off craigslist? And then move if it doesn't work out?
If you really want to take this opportunity, take the advice of living closer to the job, in CT and just taking the train into NYC when you fancy, because you won't have time nor money to go out and enjoy it after commuting all hours to and from work.
#39
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Is it not possible to live in southern CT on 45-55k then? (obviously Manhattan is a no-no) How do teachers cope for example? There must be cheap places out there - the less sketchy parts of Bridgeport (if they exist). If it has to be NYC - can you not do the less scary parts of the Bronx on a budget?
#40
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Interesting read I must admit
This might be a really silly question but I'm nowhere close to an expert on US visas, so ...... if the OP takes the job with a L1 visa and then an opportunity comes up within the same company (cos I appreciate its company sponsored) for a better-paid position, can the OP take a better position without having to start again applying for a new visa? Just wondering, if they are determined to go, and will be tied to the company, whether there is a change to improve their "lot in life" and end up with a better standard of living even if its tough at first?
This might be a really silly question but I'm nowhere close to an expert on US visas, so ...... if the OP takes the job with a L1 visa and then an opportunity comes up within the same company (cos I appreciate its company sponsored) for a better-paid position, can the OP take a better position without having to start again applying for a new visa? Just wondering, if they are determined to go, and will be tied to the company, whether there is a change to improve their "lot in life" and end up with a better standard of living even if its tough at first?
#41
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
CT isn't a cheap state to live in either, but probably a lot more doable.
The other thing the OP has to factor in, that the locals don't need to, the complete lack of credit history, meaning those start up costs are going to be a lot higher, having to put a deposit down on every utility etc will blow any marginal spare cash there is.
#42
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Interesting read I must admit
This might be a really silly question but I'm nowhere close to an expert on US visas, so ...... if the OP takes the job with a L1 visa and then an opportunity comes up within the same company (cos I appreciate its company sponsored) for a better-paid position, can the OP take a better position without having to start again applying for a new visa? Just wondering, if they are determined to go, and will be tied to the company, whether there is a change to improve their "lot in life" and end up with a better standard of living even if its tough at first?
This might be a really silly question but I'm nowhere close to an expert on US visas, so ...... if the OP takes the job with a L1 visa and then an opportunity comes up within the same company (cos I appreciate its company sponsored) for a better-paid position, can the OP take a better position without having to start again applying for a new visa? Just wondering, if they are determined to go, and will be tied to the company, whether there is a change to improve their "lot in life" and end up with a better standard of living even if its tough at first?
You know, everyone has to go do their own adventure, pursue their own current version of 'the dream'. I myself took a company transfer back in the day, and moved to "Los Angeles" (actually Orange County, but I was a noob). The money was crap, the company didn't give anything, but I was thrilled to have the opportunity.. I was 21! I wasn't thinking of retirement, and having babies or the other expensive stuff. I wanted to live the big time in Southern California!
I came home with a vintage Mustang, so it's not all bad.
#43
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Interesting read I must admit
This might be a really silly question but I'm nowhere close to an expert on US visas, so ...... if the OP takes the job with a L1 visa and then an opportunity comes up within the same company (cos I appreciate its company sponsored) for a better-paid position, can the OP take a better position without having to start again applying for a new visa? Just wondering, if they are determined to go, and will be tied to the company, whether there is a change to improve their "lot in life" and end up with a better standard of living even if its tough at first?
This might be a really silly question but I'm nowhere close to an expert on US visas, so ...... if the OP takes the job with a L1 visa and then an opportunity comes up within the same company (cos I appreciate its company sponsored) for a better-paid position, can the OP take a better position without having to start again applying for a new visa? Just wondering, if they are determined to go, and will be tied to the company, whether there is a change to improve their "lot in life" and end up with a better standard of living even if its tough at first?
#44
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: NJ for work..... Hawaii and Marbella for fun.....
Posts: 133
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
What's with all the negativity here. Do you think everybody in NYC is on a massive wage. Granted on this wage the OP will not be having breakfast at the Four Seasons anytime soon.
The OP has a chance of a move to NYC with a half decent company who must think the OP has potential or why would they offer the position.
So what if it doesn't work out... at least you can say to yourself you tried. Worst case is you get to spend some time in NYC.
Last time I looked there were planes back to London everyday of the week if it all goes pear shaped.
Nothing ventured nothing gained.
The OP has a chance of a move to NYC with a half decent company who must think the OP has potential or why would they offer the position.
So what if it doesn't work out... at least you can say to yourself you tried. Worst case is you get to spend some time in NYC.
Last time I looked there were planes back to London everyday of the week if it all goes pear shaped.
Nothing ventured nothing gained.
#45
Re: NYC affordable on this transfer?
Thanks digby, that is what I was getting at.
Another time, in the not so distant past, there was an inside sales job with the parent company to the one I'd been working with. Very similar job. I was the #5 salesperson in the world in the company, so I was pretty confident about my skills. We were closing our office here and I was looking to see what was possible. The job was in Manhatten, sounded like an absolute terrific adventure. They were offering $24K. Now *that* made me 'WTF?!'. OK, with commission etc I'd have done better, but really? I didn't see how anyone could live locally and do that. Not to mention I'd been making 5X that with half the COL. So clearly people can live in NYC on less than 45K a year. Whoever the poor chump doing my old job is, probably is!
In the end, I took a hiatus, went to Greece and wound up living there.. who'd have thought? I haven't looked back yet.
My only advice is, keep enough money for a plane ticket home saved somewhere. What else *really* can go wrong?
Another time, in the not so distant past, there was an inside sales job with the parent company to the one I'd been working with. Very similar job. I was the #5 salesperson in the world in the company, so I was pretty confident about my skills. We were closing our office here and I was looking to see what was possible. The job was in Manhatten, sounded like an absolute terrific adventure. They were offering $24K. Now *that* made me 'WTF?!'. OK, with commission etc I'd have done better, but really? I didn't see how anyone could live locally and do that. Not to mention I'd been making 5X that with half the COL. So clearly people can live in NYC on less than 45K a year. Whoever the poor chump doing my old job is, probably is!
In the end, I took a hiatus, went to Greece and wound up living there.. who'd have thought? I haven't looked back yet.
My only advice is, keep enough money for a plane ticket home saved somewhere. What else *really* can go wrong?