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Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Living overseas

Help! Toronto or New York?

14 replies

nooka · 25/10/2007 22:55

My dh is currently having a trial at his company's Toronto branch, with the possibility of a permanent job offer for January. Yesterday he (completely unexpectedly) got offered a position in the New York office. We have been working up to moving to Canada for the last six months, having decided that getting into the US (we had dreams of moving to New England) was pretty much impossible. Can anyone tell me if New York would be a good place to bring up a family - we have a 7 and an 8 year old, and we currently live in London (which dh hates, and I quite enjoy). We will be going from two incomes to one (about $80k US/Canadian) and I am worried about schools, places to live, whether I will make friends, quality of life and whether I will at some point down the line be able to get a job (I am a senior manager for the NHS). We are also moving back together after a two year seperation, so lots going on in our lives! Anyway, I'd really appreciate some idea of the difference between the two cities (or states/provinces or even countries) so if anyone has any experience it would be great to hear from you.

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NotQuiteCockney · 26/10/2007 14:31

Would he be working in Manhattan? Or where? I think New York is more expensive (health care, etc etc). Toronto is a bit more British, kinda, and safer, and probably easier.

I don't think I'd move overseas right after getting back together after a separation, tbh. One thing at a time!

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PirateoftheScarybeing · 26/10/2007 14:33

i would just love to get the opportunity to live in NYC!!

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joedar · 26/10/2007 14:34

Hi Nooka,

I understand your predicament, as we too are relocating, our choices were Toronto and France. My brother is married and living in Toronto with two kids and loves it , his wife is Canadian, he Irish. Great things to do outdoors, good facilities for children, good schooling( that said his wife is a teacher).

Don't know much of Newyork only my landlord has just returned from living there after 10 years, loved it but when they wanted to have their family they returned to Ireland as they felt they would not like to have a family there, however he thought that Toronto would be fantastic to bring up a family. ( thats only one mans opinion though.)

We have opted for France simply because we want to be nearer our families, but are not ruling out Canada at a later stage.

Not sure if that helps but its good to get feed back. So good luck with the move!! Very exciting to be trying something new!

Anyone else out there considering France?!

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joedar · 26/10/2007 14:41

Perhaps the fresh start will do you guys good with the move, however its essential that you have dealt with all the negative issues in your relationship before going, as it will need to be an open, equal and strong friendship/relationship to take on such a big change. Not forgetting how it would effect the kids!

Goodluck!!

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sKerryMum · 26/10/2007 15:05

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ScaryScienceT · 26/10/2007 15:30

$80k won't go far in either place

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sKerryMum · 26/10/2007 15:47

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nooka · 27/10/2007 18:41

Thanks for your posts! I know that moving back together and moving abroad seems a bit mad, but it's kind of part of the deal (new beginning etc). We have been together for sixteen years bar the two and I think our relationship is more open and probably more realistic for the break. But I have to admit, also fragile. So the whole thing is risky, but dh has been wanting to emigrate for some time now, and was going to do it without us prior to this current plan.

So, the job offer is in Manhatten, and I would hope to add to dh's salary as soon as I get a job (I usually earn more than him, so would hope to double our income), but I'm not sure if I'd get a permit in NY. NY seems fun, but I'm not at all sure whether it's a good place for the kids - I've heard the schools leave a lot to be desired.

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ScaryScienceT · 27/10/2007 18:44

If you are going on a L1/L2 visa, you would be able to get an Employment Authorization Document (aka work permit). Other than that, you'd have to H route, which would take a lot longer.

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sKerryMum · 27/10/2007 21:12

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nooka · 27/10/2007 22:30

I wasn't thinking we could afford to live in Manhatten. My father was suggesting Conneticut, if that was commutable. Most of my savings are tied up in my current house, which I will be renting out until we make a long term decision about where we want to live (I'm also going to do a career break, so if everything goes pear shaped we/I can come back to a job and a home). The down side being that we'll only be taking something like £20k with us. I think that as the Canadian health system is pretty similar to the NHS I should be able to get a job there, but I'm not at all sure about the States, because the set up is so different there, and my current role is fairly corporate - if I was a clinician it would be no problem!

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nooka · 28/10/2007 00:27

I think that dh would get a L1 intracompany transfer visa. Not sure if it would be a L1a or L1b - he's currently a manager, but not very senior, and I'm not sure if the post he's been offered would include managerial responsibilities. He's an IT specialist. Also we (the kids and I) were keen on living a more outdoor life - are there any (affordable) rural bits near NY?

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Jackaroo · 30/10/2007 15:47

Nooka, DH had a potential job earlier this year in NY so I did an awful lot of looking stuff up. YOu would probably be able to live in New Jersey, but definitely not CT or similar... they are exhorbitant.
I really really think you need to make it easier on yourselves, and consider Toronto. The US healthcare service is really difficult to get in to, from my experience, and as you will probably have to do something in the way of retraining/ temping to get your foot int he door anyway, I'd go for the easier root. Even more so if iyou're dealing with relatinship stuff.
NY is thrilling and wonderful, and I've spent some of the best times in my life there, but with the kind of circ.s you're talking about, I wouldn't even think there was a choice. Be flattered then chose Toronto.

hope that wasn't too opinionated!!

Good luck!

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nooka · 30/10/2007 21:01

Thanks Jackaroo. If I was the one deciding that's exactly the decision I would take. Not sure what dh will decide, or what indeed he will end up being offered. I'd like a fairly gentle life for a bit, where there were clear benefits for the children whilst we get to know each other as a living together sort of couple. Toronto seems much more likely to offer that. Everyone said Toronto, how nice, what a good place for the children, and then New York how exciting for you. Not sure exciting is what I'm after right now!