Gerson Relocation takes a look at how companies can prepare their employees for moving to New York from the UK. Discover what you should be doing when moving employees to the third-largest city in the Americas.
With a population larger than London’s, moving to New York from the UK can be a daunting experience for relocating employees. But ties between the UK and the American capital of commerce, New York City, are strong. As a result, many British workers get work assignments in the Big Apple. A successful relocation to New York can expose individuals to this diverse and exciting place, transforming personal and working lives.
It is important to note, though, that as with any international assignment, true success is all about integration. When moving employees to New York, it pays to support quick local adaptation. This can include everything from help with finding accommodation, insurance, and even helping to prepare for cultural changes between New York and the UK. Employees that are not prepared for a move to the US may fail to adjust to their new workplace and request a move back home, which can be devastating for a company. After all, moving to New York for an international assignment is a big deal.
We’ve put together this advice for those managing overseas corporate relocations when moving to the USA from the UK.
Check our guide to ensure your international move is COVID safe
Cost of Living in New York
There’s no way around it, New York City is an expensive place to live. According to the Economist’s Cost of living Index, New York is the ninth most expensive city to live in worldwide. Almost everything in New York City costs more than it would elsewhere in the world, including food, transport, and property, so it’s vital to be aware of this before employees relocate to New York from the UK. Some common items and their average New York prices are listed below:
- Pint of beer – $7 / £5.35
- Pint of Milk – $1.11 / £0.84
- 12 eggs – $3.63 / £2.74
- Dinner for two – $63 / £47.55
Places To Live in New York
As with any other move, it is important to find the right area to accommodate your needs. Choosing a neighbourhood can depend on a wide range of factors, including the proximity to your job, the cost, infrastructure, and access to schooling facilities for family members. Here are some areas to consider for employees moving to New York from the UK.
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn – Bay Ridge is often regarded as one of the top neighbourhoods in the borough of Brooklyn, New York. Median prices for properties currently sit at around $700,000, and the area has great schools and plenty to pick from at that. The area is quiet and peaceful, making it the perfect space for families.
Jackson Heights, Queens – Jackson Heights is one of the best places to live in New York, thanks to very easy access to public transport routes into the city. The population is diverse, and house prices sit at around $450,000 on average, with the median rent costing &1,387, which is far below average for an apartment in Queens.
Tribeca, Manhattan – Tribeca, short for Triangle Below Canal Street, is a neighbourhood in Manhatten with just 17,000 inhabitants. The area is considered very safe to live in, making it a great option if moving to New York with family. Tribeca also offers easy transport access to Lower Manhattan, which is an added bonus.
Safety in New York City
In recent years, New York City has become one of the safest cities in the world, with low incidences of violent or serious crimes. Still, in a city with over eight million inhabitants, petty crime can still be an issue. Moving to New York means you’ll need to keep your wits about you to avoid scams and pickpockets. This is unfortunately typical for any large city with high tourism rates.
Being victims of crime can leave employees in an unsettled position and also affect their ability to work. Education and tips on how to avoid crimes and scams in New York can minimise this kind of disruption, so this is definitely something to offer to relocate employees.
Insurance When Moving to New York From the UK
America is renowned for its private healthcare. British citizens moving to New York from the UK will not have free, at the point of service healthcare by default. Employees moving to New York often expect help from their employers with the costs of healthcare. It is essential that including coverage or information on healthcare coverage is included in any communication with your employees.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to New York City from the UK?
Along with costs on rent, you will need to consider how much you need to set aside for shipping and removal costs. Moving internationally is a huge journey and it is advisable that you hire a moving company. Relocation and shipping costs to New York from the UK can cost as much as £7,500. You will also need to think about the cost of visas and other associated costs, so it could be good to set aside around £10,000 for moving costs.
New York Work Culture and Customs
The culture of New York City itself is very much work-centric. In a city engulfed by commerce, New Yorkers work 49 hours per week on average (including commuting). This may come as a shock to the system for the average Londoner, who works 33 hours per week according to the Office for National Statistics.
Corporations should prepare their team members who are relocating to New York for cultural differences. It’s almost impossible to explain the differences between work cultures in a sentence, but one could say that Londoners work to live while New Yorkers live to work. Arrange meetings with clients and colleagues already operating in New York; people with first-hand experience can help new arrivals acclimatise. Employees that are better settled are more likely to thrive in their new location as well as perform better at work.
Transport and Navigation
While owning a car can be nightmarish in both London and New York, the Subway is both cheaper and more convenient than the Underground. A single Metro trip is estimated to be around $2.75 (£2.10) but day and monthly passes can save employees considerably. With New York taxis also being cheaper than taking a Black Cab, transport is one place where New York actually ends up being cheaper.
Prepare your assignee for travel around New York City with a couple of tips for using the city’s subways and streets. This will reduce moving stress, but also ensure they aren’t losing working hours to arduous commutes.
Moving to New York with Gerson Relocation
If you’re relocating to New York from the UK, it is best practice to hire a specialist international relocation specialist to handle your move. Our team have decades of experience in the industry and can offer expertise on every element of your move, from shipping and packing all the way through to the visas and documentation needed ahead of your move. Get in touch to hear about our bespoke services.
Property in New York
Rental or homeownership prices are likely to be an assignee’s biggest concern when it comes to finances, especially in New York. As with any large city, though, property prices all depend on the area in which you decide to inhabit. It’s getting very tough to find a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan for less than $2,500 per month so you should be prepared to provide financial assistance to employees moving to New York.
The closest comparison of living costs in the UK is London, but New York City is still more expensive than the British capital. Employees relocating to New York should prepare for increased costs for accommodation and healthcare. But transport and services can often be more affordable in New York, which can make life more convenient. Offering budgetary advice before and during the assignment can help prevent financial problems.
Places To Live in New York
As with any other move, it is important to find the right area to accommodate your needs. Choosing a neighbourhood can depend on a wide range of factors, including the proximity to your job, the cost, infrastructure, and access to schooling facilities for family members. Here are some areas to consider for employees moving to New York from the UK.
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn – Bay Ridge is often regarded as one of the top neighbourhoods in the borough of Brooklyn, New York. Median prices for properties currently sit at around $700,000, and the area has great schools and plenty to pick from at that. The area is quiet and peaceful, making it the perfect space for families.
Jackson Heights, Queens – Jackson Heights is one of the best places to live in New York, thanks to very easy access to public transport routes into the city. The population is diverse, and house prices sit at around $450,000 on average, with the median rent costing &1,387, which is far below average for an apartment in Queens.
Tribeca, Manhattan – Tribeca, short for Triangle Below Canal Street, is a neighbourhood in Manhatten with just 17,000 inhabitants. The area is considered very safe to live in, making it a great option if moving to New York with family. Tribeca also offers easy transport access to Lower Manhattan, which is an added bonus.
Safety in New York City
In recent years, New York City has become one of the safest cities in the world, with low incidences of violent or serious crimes. Still, in a city with over eight million inhabitants, petty crime can still be an issue. Moving to New York means you’ll need to keep your wits about you to avoid scams and pickpockets. This is unfortunately typical for any large city with high tourism rates.
Being victims of crime can leave employees in an unsettled position and also affect their ability to work. Education and tips on how to avoid crimes and scams in New York can minimise this kind of disruption, so this is definitely something to offer to relocate employees.
Insurance When Moving to New York From the UK
America is renowned for its private healthcare. British citizens moving to New York from the UK will not have free, at the point of service healthcare by default. Employees moving to New York often expect help from their employers with the costs of healthcare. It is essential that including coverage or information on healthcare coverage is included in any communication with your employees.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to New York City from the UK?
Along with costs on rent, you will need to consider how much you need to set aside for shipping and removal costs. Moving internationally is a huge journey and it is advisable that you hire a moving company. Relocation and shipping costs to New York from the UK can cost as much as £7,500. You will also need to think about the cost of visas and other associated costs, so it could be good to set aside around £10,000 for moving costs.
New York Work Culture and Customs
The culture of New York City itself is very much work-centric. In a city engulfed by commerce, New Yorkers work 49 hours per week on average (including commuting). This may come as a shock to the system for the average Londoner, who works 33 hours per week according to the Office for National Statistics.
Corporations should prepare their team members who are relocating to New York for cultural differences. It’s almost impossible to explain the differences between work cultures in a sentence, but one could say that Londoners work to live while New Yorkers live to work. Arrange meetings with clients and colleagues already operating in New York; people with first-hand experience can help new arrivals acclimatise. Employees that are better settled are more likely to thrive in their new location as well as perform better at work.
Transport and Navigation
While owning a car can be nightmarish in both London and New York, the Subway is both cheaper and more convenient than the Underground. A single Metro trip is estimated to be around $2.75 (£2.10) but day and monthly passes can save employees considerably. With New York taxis also being cheaper than taking a Black Cab, transport is one place where New York actually ends up being cheaper.
Prepare your assignee for travel around New York City with a couple of tips for using the city’s subways and streets. This will reduce moving stress, but also ensure they aren’t losing working hours to arduous commutes.
Moving to New York with Gerson Relocation
If you’re relocating to New York from the UK, it is best practice to hire a specialist international relocation specialist to handle your move. Our team have decades of experience in the industry and can offer expertise on every element of your move, from shipping and packing all the way through to the visas and documentation needed ahead of your move. Get in touch to hear about our bespoke services.
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