Moving to NYC (from London)?

[boilingpoint]

I've lived my whole life in London, I'm totally fed up with it and want new experiences. I always wanted to live in NYC...

 

So how do I do it? I understand you need a working visa to get a job over there and therefore I am faced with a catch 22 - need a job to get a visa and a visa to get a job.

 

What I might be able to do is get a job here with a company that has offices in NYC and try to get sponsored for a visa to work in the NYC branch.

 

I am 30 and have good degree (French & Philosophy) from a Russel Group university, but not THAT much work experience... bits and bobs in TV, videoography/editing, some office admin work, but I've wasted a lot of time mostly.

 

Any ideas?

[sdrawkcaB ssA]

Take a holiday there first and foremost. No need to find out it is not the place for you. If you find your love for NYC is true, you will find extra motivation in finding ways to live there.

 

My SM in the UK has family in Toronto, CA. It is a hop skip and a jump to NYC. Don't know the reasons why they never settled in the US. But that is another option, as Canada may be an easier move.

 

IMHO, UK peeps are diff, so your average NYC peep will be more like what you see in movies. I think UK peeps have more down to earthy feel to them, but depending on which side of London you come from, NYC may be like a home away from home.

 

As for work, as long as your company can allow for transfer by sponsorship, there is nothing stopping you, once decided.

 

I am sure you will find other peeps here who can explain further.

[Day.One]

DON'T take a holiday there, LIVE there. By this I mean, actually go and live there. For a month, two if you can stretch to it. Going somewhere with the 'holiday' mindset will totally not prepare you for what the location is really like.

 

Obviously you won't be able to work there (ie, paid employment). Well, you could, (under the table), but if you're busted, you can say b'bye to ever being able to return to the US. Though saying that, it is possible to get temp legal jobs if you look. (nanny,camp counsellor, summer sports coach, etc. Not ideal, but you'll at least have somewhere to stay and a potential income (be it quite small).

 

But try and experience a close as possible experience of living there. Talk to potential employers, and the employees in the field you're interested in. How do they like it, how do they afford it. What's the standard of living like, what are their monthly expenses, housing situation, etc. Basically all things you would take for granted here.

 

But just don't make the mistake of treating it as a holiday.

[sdrawkcaB ssA]

DON'T take a holiday there, LIVE there. By this I mean, actually go and live there. For a month, two if you can stretch to it. Going somewhere with the 'holiday' mindset will totally not prepare you for what the location is really like.

 

Obviously you won't be able to work there (ie, paid employment). Well, you could, (under the table), but if you're busted, you can say b'bye to ever being able to return to the US. Though saying that, it is possible to get temp legal jobs if you look. (nanny,camp counsellor, summer sports coach, etc. Not ideal, but you'll at least have somewhere to stay and a potential income (be it quite small).

 

But try and experience a close as possible experience of living there. Talk to potential employers, and the employees in the field you're interested in. How do they like it, how do they afford it. What's the standard of living like, what are their monthly expenses, housing situation, etc. Basically all things you would take for granted here.

 

But just don't make the mistake of treating it as a holiday.

 

Ha! you don't realize UK peeps have long days off for holiday. A month is easy peasy on the books. Though US peeps must earn through years of employment to get a month or more paid for vacation.

[Day.One]

Ha! you don't realize UK peeps have long days off for holiday. A month is easy peasy on the books. Though US peeps must earn through years of employment to get a month or more paid for vacation.

 

I've lived in both countries in question.