PRE-K and Kindergarten for G4 kids in New York reality

New years is approaching so it's time for school admission. I have two kids 4 years old boy and 2,5 old girl in public schools in New York (Brooklyn).


What you need to know:

1. PRE-K is tuition based in New York, from 2014 there is free program for four years old kids.
2. Free program is only half day from 8.30 to 3.00 PM you will need to pay for additional hours.
3. PRE-K is is separate from schools usually in separate building and organized by private companies

Education system in US - only one correction Nursery is PRE-K in fact.

Application process start online and you have guarantee placement in your zone PRE-K/School. On THIS site you will find more information and online application http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/default.htm

Buying car on G4 visa in New York

First of all you need to understand some basics

1. The main problem and cost will be the car insurance
2. You don't need US driving license, but it's will much easier if you have one
3. Think about parking and check Street cleaning schedule in your neighborhood.

Ok now we can get to details. First things first, we need to chose a car and even more important where you gonna buy. You have few options A) Dealer B) Classified C) Used cars shop.

I decided option A because of quarantines on car (transmission and engine) and some level of confidence. Be careful with option C. When you decide on car model and place take your papers to dealer and see what options you have what is your credit score !!! And how much cash you need to pay upfront. In my case I chose Nissan Altima 2008 for $9000. And we get to main problem insurance this cost me $340 monthly(2016) what is the cheapest option anyway in my case with foreign driving license living in Brooklyn (Brooklyn is more expensive insurance). Try search yourself and check State Farm.

Next step is bank, your dealer will send the your applications to many banks and present you few options. In my case no credit history I got offer from Santander with 22% interest and $1000 down payment I know terrible but you need build you credit history somehow and this is the best way.

So you have insurance, financing and the car. Congratulations your Dealer will register car for you and give you temporary sticker. DMV will send you you registration and title (ownership document). You can drive your new car from saloon same day, don't need to visit any Registration Office!

Remember to register on ez-pass this will let you pay reducer fees for tunnels and bridges in New York and there is no way to avoid tolls.

And forget about leasing this is only for someone with great credit records and long credit history.

Good luck !

How to get US Driving License for G4 visa holders in New York ?

This month I decide finally to get US driving license. First to have US ID with address and age and to drive a car of course. This is quite easy if you compare to the many European countries but there are some surprise and things you need to know.

1. To get Driving license you MUST have Social Security Card
2. Test is easy 20 questions you need to answer at least 14 correct. I read manual from DMV site and practice online on this site , and pass it at the first attempt.
3. For G4 visa holders you MUST go tot the Manhattan Midtown DMV Office 31W and 9th Avenue. The best if you registered online first, so you bypass long lines.
4. Unfortunately Your Lerner Permit will be valid only for duration of your contract (UN ID Card). You will need to extend this every time you extend your contract (12$ Fee). Permit itself is valid for 5 years but you will need to extend Permit to take practical test.
5. Pay $77,50 (may 2015) for your Learner permit, and it will be send to you by mail in two weeks.
6. You need to get classes about driving security.
7. And finally you can sing in for practical test.



For now I'm on step 5 and I will update article in next moths after I hopefully pass practical test.

UPDATE 2016

OK I passed the test at the first attempt, you can practice on this website questions on the real test are very similar. You have 20 questions at the test and can make up to 4 mistakes.

Before going to practical test you MUST get 5 hour class about rules of the road etc, cost of this is usually around 50$. Also driving school will schedule your practical test date and time. Take at least one hour driving lessons before test, instructor will show you whats mandatory and you will practice in the area of the test.

On the exam you can expect parallel parking and turning car on three and some basic driving stooping, you can't get more than 40 points if you get more you fails and need to reschedule your exam. Practical exam cost is around 100$.

After you pass DMV Instructor will print your temporary driving immediately, plastic card will be send to your mail in 2 weeks.

Important: If your spouse will want to have US driving license she or he need to go to Social Security Office first to get letter that they can't have separate SSN number and with this letter you can go to DMV.

Good Luck !

What is my NYC address? - Yes is more complicated that you think !

I have so many troubles with my NYC address below some information hot to avoid problems with addressing in USA.

Medical Insurance for UN Agencies Consultants in USA demystified !

Of course no one plans to get sick or hurt, but most of us need medical care at some point. Health insurance covers these costs and offers many other important benefits.

• Health insurance protects you from unexpected, high medical costs

• You pay less for covered in-network health care, even before you meet your deductible

• You get free preventive care, like vaccines, screenings, and check-ups, even before you meet your deductible.

First you need to know few important things:

• It's not possible for foreigner to enroll in any of plan you see ads in subway or TV.

• You  must have Social Security Number SSN. 

• It's will be expensive! around 300 per person monthly with prescription coverage.

• With insurance some cost still will be only at your pocket.

The easiest way is to insure yourself and your family members in GeoBlue, its kind of travel insurance with coverage in the US designed for expats. Advantage of this is that you have full coverage in Blue Cross Blue Shield network (biggest one) . Here you can find all information and also calculate monthly fee GeoBlue Brochure. 

Good to know !
Deductible
The amount you have to pay out-of-pocket for expenses before the insurance company will cover the remaining costs. 

Out of pocket
Money you pay at every visit, in most of the cases not at the time of the visit but healt provider will send you invoice. 

Social security number SSN for G4 Visa holders - reality

This is something very handy in US and you will be asked about this in many occasion. 

1. Renting apartment - credit check 
2. Open bank account in other bank that UNFCU 
3. Getting mobile phone on agreement 
4. Schools, preschools and all kind of education 
5. Medical insurance and all kind of insurance 
6. Getting driving license in us most of the states 

And many more situations....

There is many disinformation information about SSN for G4 visa holders. I can say based on my experience with 6 months consultancy contract wit the UN. 

You will get SSN without any problem ! All you need is application form and your passport with G4 visa. You needs to fulfill application and visit social security card center in Manhattan is on 123 Williams street (close to Brooklyn bridge) and your card will be send to you in two weeks. You can get only one SSN for your family if your spouse will apply for work permit the she/he will need to apply for another SSN.

PS. Here is interesting article about this how expats struggle to get things done in US 

First things first - how to get to the New York and find reasonable apartment

Hello everyone, this will be some basic information about relocating to New York for UN Staff  & Consultants and their families. It's totally based on own and my family experience. My family is 4 people me, my wife plus 2 kids (boy 3 years and girl 1,8 years old). So there will be a lot of information for families, about schools, kindergartens, nanny's etc.

1. VISA
This will be simple, after you get your contract you will also receive visa application form (TTS.1 Form) from you HR Focal point or Visa Office (external company working for UN). Send application and contract or TOR to office and you will get Cable (diplomatic telegram) will be send to you by email and US Embassy of your choice. Remember to fulfill and print DS-160 form on-line before you visit US Embassy. You need about 5 business days to issue Cable (diplomatic telegram) and 2-3 days in US Embassy to issue visa. So try to ask for this form TTS.1 as soon as possible from your HR Focal Point. Your Cable is valid only for 30 days so remember about this, if you need visa for family members etc.

PS. You will need to inform visa desk on every contract extension ! Remember that without active contract with UN you can stay only up to 31 days in US thought the G4 Visa validity date in your passport.  

2. Travel to NYC

You will get your ticket from the Office so don't worry, even for consultants Office will purchase tickets.

2. Apartment for You only (short-term up to 12 months). 

The road to rent an apartment for family is much more complicated in New York so I will write separate post about this. Now I will concentrate on short-term rentals for professionals from 1 to 12 months.

First what you need is money, you will need first month rent + security deposit + last month rent (in some cases) + 1500/3000 broker fee (is some cases). So in Manhattan in July 2014 is will be for one bedroom (studio) 1500+1500+1500+1500/300  = 6000/7500 all paid upfront on first day, this is starting price most of apartment you see is much more expensive.

And one general rule, there is almost impossibly to rent apartment in NYC from abroad, you need to be here and have US Mobile telephone number to contact, meet and see apartments or finally sign the pre-approval credit check. You can stay with your friends in NYC or go for one week to hotel/hostel.

Best place to look for apartment is three places:
www.nakedapartments.com/ [good search engine]
newyork.craigslist.org/hhh/ [some no fee apartment]
iseek2.un.org/newyork [access only if you work already for UN]

Other better options !
There is some really hard to find so remember those ones, apartments for professionals in NYC in reasonable prices.

1. Central Park Inn
Good option for longer stay up to 12 months. Prices from 1400 USD for month + security deposit + cleaning service (100 USD per month) and pre-approval credit check(300-500 USD).



2. Bridge suites

Good location 60 East close to UN headquarter and downtown Manhattan. Prices from 2500-2700 for studio + security deposit + utilities charges (4 USD per day). Could be a little hard due to proximity to Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.