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Preparing a move to New York means setting three priorities early: your visa status, health insurance and temporary housing. The city leaves little room for improvisation. Signing a permanent lease too quickly can result in impractical commutes, an underestimated budget or delivery restrictions that are hard to resolve once your belongings have been shipped.
Before moving to New York, consider booking temporary accommodation so you can test subway routes, compare Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Jersey City, and visit buildings. In New York, the MTA subway and bus lines, transfers and frequent weekend service changes often matter more than the distance shown on a map.
Prepare the first administrative steps as well: opening a bank account, getting a US phone number, arranging renters insurance, obtaining an SSN (Social Security Number used for employment and many services) if eligible, and gradually building your credit history (the credit record used for rentals and certain services).
For families, assess the neighborhood alongside the preferred school, private or international tuition fees, commuting time and available living space. Experience also shows the importance of requesting move-in rules early: co-op or condo requirements, elevator reservations, certificates of insurance, delivery slots and truck access.
For international shipping arrangements, see our international moving guide.
In New York, the right neighborhood rarely depends on just one factor. Balance budget, schools, subway access, floor space, building type and delivery restrictions. Manhattan is convenient for Midtown, Wall Street, Hudson Yards and Flatiron, but apartments are often smaller, more expensive and less practical for families arriving with furniture.
Upper West Side attracts families thanks to Central Park, private schools, a residential atmosphere and convenient subway lines. Upper East Side appeals to higher-budget households seeking premium surroundings, private schools and access to museums, although rents and additional expenses need careful consideration.
Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill offer an attractive balance for families: Prospect Park or Brooklyn Bridge Park, neighborhood life, access to Manhattan and sometimes more suitable homes. Demand and prices are high, however, and brownstone buildings can make deliveries difficult because of narrow staircases.
Astoria and Long Island City appeal to professionals who want to remain close to Manhattan while considering Queens. Astoria has a multicultural atmosphere and sometimes more accessible rents; Long Island City offers newer condos, but move-in rules, elevators and certificates of insurance must be checked before shipping.
Forest Hills, Jersey City and Hoboken may provide more space or better budget control, provided you test PATH, LIRR (regional rail serving Long Island and Queens) or other Manhattan connections during rush hour.
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Housing is often the biggest challenge when moving to New York. Rents are extremely high, properties move quickly and landlords may require substantial income, references, a guarantor, a complete application and a credit score. Without a US credit history, plan for alternative guarantees or temporary housing while you prepare a credible application.
Well-connected and family-friendly neighborhoods such as Upper West Side, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg and Long Island City are highly competitive. Queens, Forest Hills, Astoria and parts of New Jersey may offer more space, but compare any rent savings with actual commuting times, the intended school and transport costs.
Rent is only one part of the budget. Allow for a security deposit, any applicable broker fee, private health insurance, a phone plan, renters insurance, taxes, tips, private or international school fees, daycare and initial household purchases. For families, the housing, schooling and healthcare trade-offs often matter more than the moving price itself.
A car is rarely essential in Manhattan or central Brooklyn, but parking, tolls and insurance quickly become expensive in outlying areas. Living near a convenient MTA line can reduce car expenses while substantially increasing rent.
Co-op buildings, condos and rental buildings may require a move-in appointment, reserved elevator, certificate of insurance, move-in fee or restricted delivery hours. Walk-up buildings without elevators, common in parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, may require a smaller shipment and careful checks of stairwell width, truck access and the distance from the curb to the entrance.
For a family preparing a move to New York, schooling can influence the housing decision as much as budget or subway access. French families often look into the Lycée Français de New York, FASNY (a French-American bilingual school in Westchester) and other international private schools, whose fees should be included in relocation costs from the outset.
Public schools are also an option, but admission often depends on school zones linked to the home address. A lease on the Upper West Side, in Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights or Forest Hills may therefore affect which school is available. Verify the exact address, zoned school and enrollment deadlines before committing to a long-term rental.
Family-friendly neighborhoods offer different advantages. Upper West Side combines Central Park, private schools, subway access and residential streets at a high price. Park Slope appeals for Prospect Park and its family atmosphere, while Forest Hills and parts of New Jersey may offer more space but longer commutes to Manhattan.
Prepare school reports, passports, visas, proof of address, vaccination records, any required translations and private-school admission schedules before arrival. Preschool, daycare and after-school programs can be costly and fill up quickly.
A common mistake is choosing an apartment for its prestigious address without calculating the daily school commute. A larger home in Brooklyn or Queens may make sense only if school and work journeys remain realistic morning and evening.
New York attracts professionals in finance around Wall Street and Midtown, consulting, law, technology, media, advertising, fashion, luxury, healthcare, universities and international organizations. An international move to New York often involves qualified professionals with an existing job offer, internal transfer or carefully prepared career plan.
Major employers and institutions include JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citi, BlackRock, Google New York, Columbia University, NYU, Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, NYC Health + Hospitals, media agencies, consulting firms, luxury brands and organizations connected to the United Nations. This concentration creates opportunities but also intense competition for skilled positions.
Your visa is the first issue to resolve. Before moving to New York, verify work authorization, employer sponsorship conditions, processing times and any restrictions affecting your spouse or partner. Without appropriate authorization, accessing the local job market can be difficult even with strong qualifications.
Adapt your résumé to US conventions: quantified results, clear responsibilities, professional English, an optimized LinkedIn profile and references where needed. Local networks are important in finance, tech, media and luxury. Start contacting people before arrival, especially when your housing, health insurance and salary depend on your employment.
Compare salary offers against rent, health insurance, taxes, transportation, any private school fees and initial settling-in costs. Even a well-paid Manhattan position can be less attractive if housing, education and healthcare have not been budgeted in USD before departure.
Learn more about moving to the United States.
In New York, daily mobility depends on specific routes. The MTA subway and bus network shapes life in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, but two neighborhoods close together on a map can have very different commute times. Before signing a lease, test journeys to work and school at rush hour and on weekends, when MTA construction can change services.
A car is rarely useful in Manhattan, central Brooklyn or Long Island City. Parking, insurance, congestion, tolls and alternate-side parking rules can make it a burden. PATH trains between New Jersey and Manhattan, LIRR regional trains, Metro-North, ferries and Citi Bike may be decisive if you live in Jersey City, Hoboken, Forest Hills, Brooklyn Heights or Astoria.
Organize your first days carefully: private health insurance, a US phone number, banking, renters insurance, an SSN (Social Security Number used for work and other services) if eligible, and gradually establishing a credit history for renting, credit cards and subscriptions. NYC 311 (the city’s information service) and NYPL (New York Public Library) can help you find local information.
Integration often happens through your neighborhood: schools, buildings, community boards, sports, French-speaking associations, professional events and libraries. Family life in Park Slope, Upper West Side or Forest Hills differs considerably from that of a professional living in Williamsburg, Financial District or Jersey City.
For your move, daily life starts with access to the property. Check doorman and superintendent procedures, elevators, walk-up buildings, delivery slots, certificates of insurance and street restrictions before your belongings arrive, especially in Manhattan, Brooklyn brownstone neighborhoods and newer Long Island City condos.
Check international moving insurance before shipping your belongings.
Housing, the subway, schools, credit scores, health insurance, building rules and choosing between Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens: here are the questions that come up most often before moving to New York.
No. Manhattan is convenient for working in Midtown, Wall Street or Hudson Yards, but rents are extremely high and apartments are often smaller. Many expat families also consider Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Astoria, Long Island City, Forest Hills or Jersey City, depending on their budget, preferred school, subway line and actual commute to Manhattan.
Very often, yes. A credit score reflects the US credit history used to assess rental applications. Expats arriving without a US record may need to provide an employment contract, proof of income, references, a guarantor or alternative guarantees. Temporary accommodation can give you time to build a strong application and visit buildings in person.
Consider schools, budget, parks, subway access and the type of housing together. The Upper West Side, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Forest Hills and parts of Queens are often considered by families. School zones can affect admission to some public schools, while many expats also look into the Lycée Français de New York, FASNY or an international private school.
Yes, and this is common in Manhattan, central Brooklyn and parts of Queens. The MTA subway and bus network, PATH trains to New Jersey, ferries, Citi Bike and regional rail services make car-free living possible. The key factors are your subway line, connections, weekend service changes and actual rush-hour commute.
Condos, co-op buildings and rental buildings may require a scheduled move-in slot, an elevator reservation, a certificate of insurance, a move-in fee or strict delivery hours. Handling furniture in walk-up buildings without elevators can be more complicated. Ask for building rules, access details and truck-parking restrictions before shipping.
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