Moving to New York: a guide for Software Engineers
With the New York tech scene growing, you may be one of the developers thinking about making the change.
In the run up to FullStack NYC we spoke to software engineers who’d made the move.. We pulled their experience into this all you need to know guide, to cover money, rent, nightlife, transport and community — the essentials right?
Money
The good news is that tech jobs in New York are well paid.
Salaries are of course objective, but they are competitive compared to their Bay area equivalent.
At the end of the day it comes down to the
- work/life balance you want
- people you want to work with
- problems you want to solve
Unsurprisingly New York’s finance industry offers some of the best pay — it’s not uncommon to see $200k+ listings for senior engineers. The tier 1 tech companies in New York offer similar packages.
At start-ups pay varies. The New York developers we spoke to reported figures from 60k-180k. Angel puts the average start-up software engineer salary at $111k. Add in equity and other benefits, and start-up life in New York is very attractive.
You’ll need to keep in mind the tax implications of living and working in New York City. An additional local tax system is imposed on top of the state one.
To get a more detailed overview of salaries in New York, check out BuiltInNYC’s comparison tool.
Pro Tip:
Where exactly you live, e.g. in New York or nearby New Jersey will affect the rate of tax you pay, so factor this in. Various tools will help you estimate your take-home pay.
Rent
Yes, overall the rent in NYC is high. A 1 bedroom apartment averages $2,911 a month, however, this doesn’t mean the rent in every neighbourhood is at this level. Like every city, it depends on your needs and wants in terms of luxury, space and proximity to work.
Tribeca, North Sutton Area, Soho & Chelsea top the list, in these neighbourhoods a 1 bedroom apartment can exceed $5,000 per month.
For something more affordable with a manageable commute (around 30 minutes) to Manhattan check out Brooklyn, Queens, South Harlem or Hoboken.
Brooklyn for example, is great for commuting to lower manhattan where a large number of tech jobs are. There you can find a 1 bedroom apartment from around $1,500 on the lower end of luxury and convenience, to a little over $3,000 on the high end.
Of course, a shared apartment is even more affordable, many of the engineers we spoke to had found nice rooms for around $900 a month, with a commute of less than 30 minutes.
Pro Tip:
Apartments go fast, if you find a place you like at a good price be prepared to put down an application straight away.
Nightlife
You can party every day in the city that never sleeps. You just need to figure out how much sleep you actually need (please say more than 4 hours).
New York’s nightlife scene is whatever you make it. Take your pick from world-class nightclubs, craft beer microbreweries and late night museum visits.
Much like accommodation, location will determine the kind of night you’ll have and people you’ll meet.
If you want to talk tech, head out in Chelsea — where it feels like every other person works at Google. In East Village you’ll find a start-up crowd. You’ll find the same in Flatiron and the Meatpacking District, plus some tier 1 tech after-work hangouts. For a more laid back vibe, head out in Brooklyn.
Pro Tip:
Look out for happy hour, you can find everything from $6 pint-sized margaritas to $1 oysters.
Transport
A car isn’t really an option. Traffic aside, the costs of parking and insurance will be enough to put you off.
Public transport and Uber will be your main forms of transportation. Opinions on the reliability of public transport in New York are mixed. However, almost everyone agrees it… has character.
The good news? It’s affordable, a 30 day unlimited pass will set you back about $131. Also, certain companies in New York must offer a commuter benefits scheme that allows you to pay for some of your travel out of your pre-tax salary.
We’ve also heard that some companies will throw in free Uber/Lyft rides as part of your package. So make sure you ask.
Pro Tip:
Try a faux-commute before signing a long lease.
Community
People in New York are here to achieve something big. It’s no surprise then, that the Big Apple is home to an amazing tech community, with events happening every single day.
This largest meetup group in New York (and apparently the world) is NYTech. They host monthly events for tech professionals. The events are paid (about $10), but support a good cause. The group is non-profit — their mission is to “represent, inspire, support, and help lead the New York technology community and ecosystem to create a better future for all.” It’s worth checking out.
Alternatively, in New York you’ll find 100s of other meetup groups catering for engineers working in different technologies and industries. Everything from Hackers, to JavaScript developers to artificial intelligence professionals working in Healthcare are catered for.
Pro Tip:
With so many ambitious people around, New York is a great place to build your network. Put yourself out there and get involved with the tech scene, who knows who’ll you meet?
So are you ready for your NY life?
Remember your lifestyle will dictate how you spend your time and money.
On the one hand, you can enjoy a peaceful family lifestyle living out in the suburbs of New Jersey, with good schools and housing, commuting in for the 9–5. On another you can burn the candle at both ends living the high life, enjoying cocktails and $40 brunches, based in a sweet apartment in downtown Manhattan. And on another, you can live a more humble life, sharing an apartment Brooklyn, enjoying the city’s cultural landmarks after work, making your way to the nearest microbrewery at the weekend.
New York is really what you make of it.
The beauty is, that Tech gives you these options.
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