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.