6 months in New York with 2YO

[Equimum]

Hi,

DH's company need him to work in New stork for six months and it is likely we will all relocate within the next 8 weeks.

I've never thought about moving abroad and have never even been to the US.

Our visas are being processed and our docs are all in place. DHs company are sorting accommodation etc, but what else do I need to think about?

Is living in New York very different from London?

In particular, I'm worried about all DDs paraphernalia. What should we take? What is easier/ reasonable to buy once there to save transporting it?

Has anyone else done a relatively short-term relocation like this with a little one? Do you have any advice, please?

TIA

[kiwidreamer]

I've been compelled to log in just to say OMG that sounds awesome you lucky thing!!!!!

On a practical note I'd take a few of DD's mega favorite toys, to give her a bit of continuity and budget to spend a few hundred dollars at Target or Amazon on toys / puzzles. Find your closest library and borrow books regularly, good excuse to get out and about. Take seasonally appropriate clothes in current size, you never know how she will grow so just buy her winter wardrobe there, kids clothes well priced there I think.

Hope you all have a bloody awesome time :)

[CaptWingoBings]

Are you getting any sort of shipping allowance? TBH you don't really need one, not for 6 months. I would take a buggy, budget on buying a cheap cot (IKEA) there, pack her clothes taking into account seasonal changes, some favourite toys & books, & then plan on picking some more stuff up as & when. They play with surprisingly little when you actually notice what they use.

Probably easiest to think of it as a 6 month long holiday. We spent 3 months overseas with DC1 when she was just over 2, mostly based in two places rather than continuously travelling around, she was perfectly content with what toys we could fit into the backpack.

[scottswede]

Other than a few favorite toys I wouldn't take too much. EVERYTHING is cheaper in the States.
6 months is a just enough time to enjoy all the sights before you start getting homesick.
I fell pregnant about 3 weeks after leaving the US, I was sooooo bummed about missing a fantastic baby shopping extravaganza.
Enjoy

[casperthefriendlyghost]

Six months will FLY past! We are 9 months into our first overseas experience and I cannot believe how quickly it has gone. For a short stint like 6 months I really wouldn't worry about taking anything - as other posters have said filter out the really favourite toys and plan on buying as and when/if you need it. I'm imagining too that at 2 years old she doesn't really need much stuff now anyway?
I spent 2 weeks in New York for work some years back - I think you'll have a fantastic time - what a brilliant adventure!

[doodledotmum]

NY is great with kids - the city is full of young children. Get it all there cheap

[butterfliesinmytummy]

Very jealous, I live in Texas and spent 4 days in NY last week with dh and dds aged 5 and 9. We adored it. A good friend of mine. (British) spent 2 years there with her dh and dds when they were tiny. She thought it was amazing and really misses it.

6 months is really very short, takes a year IMHO to call a place home. Look on it as other have said as an extended holiday. You can everything in the US for much cheaper than the UK and as there are no big supermarkets in Manhattan, Amazon Prime is your friend for everything, esp bulky groceries, nappies (diapers ) etc

[MasterOfTheYoniverse]

Just oack a couple of suitcases and go! Enjoy!

[Equimum]

Thanks everyone. All sounds like good advice. DH's company have given us choice of either shopping or cash to buy stuff we need, so we're going with the cash and planning a good shop.

I know you all say everything's cheaper; does that include children's clothes? She's very near to outgrowing a lot of what she has, so I'm trying to decide whether I fit her out here, or if I get enough to be going on with and buy stuff when we arrive. Where's good for kiss clothes in the US?

[wentshopping]

Target has reasonable supermarket type clothes; pricier options would be Gap or Gymboree, but these always have sales or offers on.
Do you know where you will be living? Think about sales tax when you do a big shop as I think there would be a difference between shopping in New York and New Jersey, for example. (Sorry, also in Texas so can't remember details)
I was in NYC back in April as DD1 is heading off to university there after the summer. Planning my visits now!

[wentshopping]

now I think about it, I have never loved pyjamas for kids over here, so I would bring a few of those over - usually added to my summer stock-up list. (too polyester-ish and often covered in glitter or plastic-y transfers)

[butterfliesinmytummy]

I also like garnet hill for kids clothes as well as the Hanna Andersen (just got the cutest cotton pjs for my 2), children's place and Oshkosh. Don't forget that m&s, Boden, Next and John Lewis ship worldwide (sometimes free of charge).

[butterfliesinmytummy]

Cross post with went shopping (must be a Texas pyjamas connection). I searched high and low for non polyester pjs and Hanna Andersen was the only place I could find that sells them.

[butterfliesinmytummy]

Oops, Hanna Andersson

[Equimum]

Thanks for all that info. Will make sure and stick up on PJs here. I can't stand PJs with transfers on them.

Thanks for the suggestion to check out tax wentshopping -I'll check that out.

[googietheegg]

Old Navy is great for kids' clothes.

[PatriciaHolm]

When my kids were little and I went to the US for work, I would stuff my luggage full of clothes from The Children's Place.

[Want2bSupermum]

I would be selective about what you bring. If your stoller can't be carried by one hand down the subway steps don't bring it. You can get a nice Maclaren here off Craigslist. I would get a new crib. I would go to toy'r'us or buybuy baby for something new.

For clothes I would go out to The Crossings in PA or get the bus with your 2YO up to Woodbury Commons. We got everything for DD and DS for the summer for around $100 (about 6 outfits each) from Gap, Childrens Place and Gymboree.

Ikea stuff is crappy but cheap. The plastic plates are better in Target IMO. Marshalls/Homegoods has fab kiddie stuff too which is very cheap. If you need cookware go to the AllClad store at the Crossings. Frying pans reduced from $100 to $15 etc.

[Want2bSupermum]

Also from NY you can go to Jersey Gardens Mall. Its close to the Ikea in Elizabeth and cheap. Its a bit rough around the edges but when you need a pair of shoes, they have stride rite for half price. I also buy online from Nordstrom.