Moving to New York
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in New York, United States. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$5,504
solo, city centre
Livability
57/100
decent
Safety
59/100
Know your neighborhoods
PR timeline
10 yrs
citizenship: 13y
How to move to New York
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
US Employment-Based Green Card
Bring a lawyerDuration: Permanent residence
Employer sponsorship (EB-1 to EB-3) or investor visa (EB-5, $1M+). Wait times vary from 1 to 20+ years by nationality. Not a quick process.
Visa difficulty by nationality
10 years
to permanent residency
13 years
to citizenship
⚠️ H-1B lottery → EB-2/EB-3 green card (8–15 yr backlog for most nationalities), then 5 yr residency before citizenship. Requires English proficiency and passing the US civics test.
Work permit accessibility: complex
What it costs to move to New York
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$4,281
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 1% of 97 cities
$9,425
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$5,504/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Hard2–8 weeks in Manhattan, fierce competition
- •Income requirement: 40× monthly rent annually
- •Guarantor required if income insufficient (70–80× rent)
- •Broker fee: 12–15% of annual rent (one-time)
- •Credit check + employment verification
First month in New York
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for US Employment-Based Green Card
Permanent residence. Employer sponsorship (EB-1 to EB-3) or investor visa (EB-5, $1M+). Wait times vary from 1 to 20+ years by nationality. Not a quick process.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring your passport and proof of address
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$66/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 2–8 weeks in Manhattan, fierce competition. Housing friction: Hard.
- ☐
Have $13,582 ready for move-in costs
First month + 1.5mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$400/mo until residency kicks in
Language in New York
Can you order coffee without pointing?
English
primary language
Very High
English proficiency
English is the primary language. You'll be fine. One less excuse not to move.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
7.8/10
democracy index (EIU)
🏚️ Flawed democracy
regime type
#128 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 1 — Exercise normal precautions
Is New York safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
⚠️
Know your neighborhoods
5.8
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 51/100
Elevated. Research neighborhoods carefully before signing a lease.
Weather in New York
What the thermometer actually says
28°C
summer highs
-1°C
winter lows
162 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: No public option for immigrants; employer insurance or ACA marketplace required
Before residency: No public healthcare for non-citizens. Emergency rooms must stabilize you (EMTALA law), but the bill can be financially devastating. Private insurance essential from day 1 (~$350/mo for basic). Employer-sponsored insurance is the norm — negotiate it before you move. (private insurance ~$400/mo)
Specialist wait time: 2–6 weeks
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ New York: 28°C and the sea. Summer sorted.
- ✓ Hub-level startup scene in New York. Founders everywhere.
Think twice about
- ✗ Rent in New York: $4281/mo. Your biggest line item.
- ✗ New York: 5.8 homicides per 100k. Know the areas.
- ✗ -1°C winter lows in New York. Heavier coat incoming.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full New York profile →