New York, New York

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trackside528

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Recently been offered the chance to move out to New York through work.

Been out a few times, though (to my shame) never been for more than three days or so. Strongly leaning towards taking the job, being in my twenties and single at the minute. The question is more whether anyone has any advice with regards to living in America or the pace of life etc. As someone who has lived in Leeds for three years I'm hardly an international traveler and suspect it may be one hell of an adjustment.
 
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Is the job one you want to do?

If so, go for it, I have two daughters in the same sort of position as you and I don't think they would hesitate.

As Walsworth says, if you don't you'll always wonder.
 
I've only ever visited NYC as a tourist, Tracks, but working there is probably no more or less a pain in the hoop than it is in any other major city.

VISA-sponsored jobs in the States generally aren't tossed around like confetti, and this move opens-up all manner of opportunities you won't even have thought about yet.

It probably will take a degree of adjustment early on, but the medium/long term benefits make it a no-brainer, imo. And as the wise men have already said - you don't want to be breaking down in tears every time Edith Piaf is on the radio.

You have to take it.

Plus, New York City (or Manhattan, at least) is very cool indeed.
 
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If it's the job you want go for it - you're used to living away from home so to speak and you've been living in the UK for a few years so why not try the US too?
 
Have worked briefly out of NY myself and have had past colleagues who have taken periods of time there.

Its a wonderful city but if you are going to compare it with anywhere, it wouldnt be another american city (bar perhaps Chicago) but London. Definitely the closest in terms of way of life.

Wouldn't hesitate myself, but one guy i knew who is about same age went their with ad agency for two years and found himself slightly isolated. Most colleagues (as in London) commuted from a long way out and he wasn't exactly outgoing himself or a culture vulture. Also he had a boat like a slapped arse and the personality of a cabbage, so wasnt exactly a babe magnet
 
Echo everything everyone's said - I have a friend in New York, lives on East 78th, and while decades too old for you, if you want a contact to kick off a bit of socialising, she will definitely point you to some good pubs, clubs, etc. Although once you're there, just pick up the 'What's On' stuff and away you go. As Clivex says, New York city doesn't compare to any other US city - it's unique to the USA, and most closely allied to London life.

You absolutely have to try it, Tracks. The worst that happens is that you don't like it and pine desperately to return - in which case you do, with no harm done, except picking up the taste of big, big city life. There is so much to see and do that you really cannot be alone for long - there are Irish and British social clubs if you miss certain accents, and with today's communications, you will always be in touch with old mates, anyway.

Go-go-go for it! (And well done on being thought worthy of the offer, too. You've obviously shown someone you have what they think it takes to do well.)
 
Just as everyone else has said, Tracks. If you don't go you will always wonder and if you hate it you can always come back.

You are young and have no ties, so ... Leeds or the Big Apple? Hmmm ...

Lucky you to have such a decision to make!

Hope whatever you decide turns out right for you.
 
Great city Tracks - been there a few times - for a city that doesn't sleep found it tough enough to get a drink midweek after 2am. The birds are savage!! Definitely worth a punt IMHO.
 
Not been but definitely go - I worked in Los Angeles in my twenties - best thing I ever did. Its easier to get a work visa when you're younger too. Living in the US is so different and you almost have to speak a different language ( I was forever translating simple things like "I'll call you" instead of "I'll ring you") but working abroad anywhere when you're young is such a great life experience.

And definitely go racing while you're there!!!
 
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Lots of 'go, go!' but little of the 'remember to / avoid that'?
Asked for advice, gets encouragement!

What's that word? .... 'vicarious', is it? :)
 
Let me be the third person to call it an absolute, complete and utter no-brainer. Bite their hand off.
 
If you have no ties (OH/finaces etc) then go for it provided it's a job you're going to enjoy (or at least not hate/be bored to tears). If you gave it a shot and really didn't like it you can always come back home. Good luck with your decision.
 
I have been over and back on a number of occasions with work, and my advice would be to go (but you know you are going to go).

Being a bit more specific about my advice, I would advise you to go against the flow and live outside Manhattan. You are going to get to Manhattan all the time anyway, and some of the boroughs are much better when it comes to nightlife and a community spirit. Accommodation is cheaper, too. Make sure you are no more than a 20 minute train ride from Manhattan, though, and be careful of your commute to work.

Just spoke to the New Yorker who sits beside me, and he says areas to bear in mind are: Park Slope (Brooklyn), Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill (Brooklyn), Jackson Heights (Queens). These offer a decent night life, pace of life and short commute times.

I advise you to research where you live a huge amount, as it is likely to dictate how much fun you have a lot more than your job.

Good luck.
 
Gareth Flynn said:
Let me be the third person to call it an absolute, complete and utter no-brainer. Bite their hand off.
Click to expand...

Perfectly put.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

New York has great sporting team, great musuems, great nightlife and best of all, when you roll off that Meath accent, you will get laid more often than you could dream of. 'Are you Irish?'. 'Yes, I am'.
 
Thanks to all for the advice and encouragement.

Probably should have been clearer in that there isn't much question of me not taking the job (work with a fat multi-national corporate law firm so job/visa won't be an issue), but just looking for any pointers with regards to settling in/quality of life - of which there have been several already in this thread.

Won't be heading out until the New Year so no rush just yet. As pretty much everyone has said, I'd be mad to turn it down. More about making the most of it really.
 
The best way to learn about a new city is just to go and explore - no preconceptions and dare I suggest a guided bus tour? Sounds crazy but we did that at work the other week and all the guys got off the tour saying not only had they had fun they had learnt stuff about a town they have lived / worked in all their lives!
 
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