COASTAL CLICKBAIT
Updated: Sep 23, 2021
SOUND AND SARCASTIC ADVICE FOR RELOCATING ACROSS THE COUNTRY
We’ve all read articles comparing New York and Los Angeles. There are so many in fact, that the subject has become like a type of internet herpes; always there, lying dormant, ready to flare up the minute you enter keyword NY or L.A. “Big Apple or City of Angels: Which coast is right for you?” “The 5 Most Shocking Differences between N.Y. and L.A.!” “Are you a Beach Rat or a Pizza Rat?” These lists barrage our phones with information we already know. Yes, the weather in L.A. is better, the nightlife in N.Y. is better, and the commute is miserable everywhere. We know. And yet, if you find yourself moving from one city to the other, countless friends will start to forward these sites your way. As someone who’s recently relocated with a family of five, I am tossing up a new list, hopefully more useful than coastal clickbait. Here’s what you really need to know before you move to New York or L.A.
1. YOU WILL COME TO PEACE WITH YOUR NEW DMV.
Each adult is going to need a new driver’s license, new registration and new plates for the car. This isn’t just a quick visit, so plan to do some serious time in this government office. Print the forms ahead of time, gather all the documents you need, and for the love of God, bring a sense of humor. If you are moving to Los Angeles, you have just 20 days to register your car from the day your car enters the state before you get slapped with a fine. In addition to the title, insurance info, etc., the state of California requires a smog test, so there are some steps to the process that can take a few days and locations. Even if you only start the process, get into a DMV quickly to begin filling out forms. Often, if you show a DMV agent in person that you have started the process, you will be credited from the day you began and avoid the fine. Get going here. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/how-to-9-register-a-vehicle-from-out-of-state-nonresident-vehicle-pdf/
Gather your courage and bring your own pen
Moving to New York? You have 30 days to get that car registered. You can spend the extra ten days plotting which DMV you’ll target. Don’t let yelp reviews scare you (but definitely read them as they are hilarious) just get your forms together, gather your courage and bring your own pen. Covid restrictions still require New Yorkers to make an appointment, so use this site to figure out when and where you’ll be making your new DMV friends. https://dmv.ny.gov/offices/county-offices
2. DON’T FORGET TO PACK YOUR MEDICAL COVERAGE
Who doesn’t love dealing with insurance companies?! All of us. Yep, this step is brutal, but if you get started early, you’ll avoid hassles later. First, inform your insurance carrier of your new address. This is also when you should verify that your non-emergency coverage will extend to your new state. Over the past five years, many insurance companies’ HMOs and PPOs have been concentrated to regionally based networks, which means that while you had no trouble finding an in-network Dermatologist in L.A., you won’t find an in-network Band-Aid in New York. A permanent relocation could make you eligible for re-enrollment in a new plan, which would prevent you from paying out-of-network rates for routine care. This article lists what you’ll need to prove your special enrollment status. https://help.ihealthagents.com/hc/en-us/articles/223611628
While you had no trouble finding an in-network Dermatologist in L.A., you won't find an in-network Band-Aid in New York.
Next, find new doctors and get everyone’s records sent over. This generally requires you to sign a release form and officially request records be sent to a specific doctor. For some sadistic reason, the cost of having your own records released to yourself is often higher than having them sent to another doctor. Ridiculous, but unsurprising. Finally, before you move, try to get your prescriptions refilled. In both New York and California, some common medications are considered controlled substances, and therefore, not able to be filled by your old, out-of-state physician. Stock up and plan how you are going to manage any regular medications while your family makes the cross-country shift.
3. UPLOAD THOSE NEW SCHOOL CALENDARS
Whether you are a public-school family or a private-school family, there are a few key differences between schools in N.Y. and L.A. First, is the school calendar. If you are a New Yorker moving to L.A., you should know that school starts in the middle of the freaking summer. So hit that Staples in July because it’ll be stripped by August. But seriously, this difference in school calendars might complicate the process of sending students’ transcripts. The new school will expect the records to arrive prior to the first days of school, which in Los Angeles, could be in the middle of August. Coordinate with your old school in June, so your kids’ records are in place by July when most schools officially change over to the next school year.
Hit the Staples in July because it'll be stripped by August.
A second notable difference is in high school athletics. The left coasters take high school sports to a punishing level. Most athletes practice with their team year-round, as even off-season time includes thrice-weekly conditioning sessions. Your son’s voice may not have dropped, but he’ll be benching 150 lbs. with the team at 6:00am! Finally, there’s also a difference in the commute. If you are moving your family to New York, know that many middle and high school students travel to school via the subway, city busses or even commuter rails. It’s generally safe, economical, and easier than driving. Of course, switching schools is far more complicated than calendars, sports and commutes. Instead of writing an endless section about it, I’ll link you to someone who already has. https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/changing-schools-and-moving-to-a-new-area
4. PREPARE THE FOUR-LEGGED FAMILY MEMBERS
Pets are the best! Sure, they chew everything up and puke it all over your duvet, but you always forgive them. So, to be sure they are as safe and as comfortable as possible during a relocation, there are a few practical pieces to line up ahead of time. First, get that pet to the vet for a check-up and walk out with a “Certificate of Veterinary Inspection” within 30 days of the big move. This is required of all dogs and cats entering the state of New York, and even though it isn’t required of cats entering California, most airlines require it, plus it will be helpful to kitty’s new vet in L.A. You can find more specific into about each state’s requirements here: https://www.mymove.com/moving/guides/moving-with-pets/
The days of showing up with your goldendoodle and a certificate of emotional support are done.
I can’t emphasize enough how much I dreaded flying for 7 hours with two cats. Still, a ten day drive seemed worse, so I booked the special plane tickets (required), planned which family member would carry which pet through airport security (required), and packed extra treats for all of us just to endure it. Flying with small pets is basically like flying with an infant but traveling with a large dog is a different deal. The days of showing up with your goldendoodle and a certificate of emotional support are done. This prompts many to drive cross-country. In that case, dog owners have a bit of an advantage. While there are many pet friendly hotels, most will welcome dogs but not cats. Sites like this one are an excellent resource to find information and hotels. https://www.petswelcome.com/pet-friendly-hotels/searchbyroute
Be sure to check each hotels’ current policies, and book early if you are moving during busy summer months.
5. TAKE TIME FINDING YOUR FOREVER HOME
We love Los Angeles and New York because they are diverse, vibrant, large metropolises with a variety of neighborhoods. They literally have it all. The East Village has a different vibe from the Upper East Side, and Venice Beach feels very different from San Marino. The neighborhood in which you land first might not be the one you love long term. And unless you want to spend three years in the first home in your new city, you could lose a significant amount of money in the process. The costs associated with buying and selling a home vary with time, but are generally not reconciled before 36 months, so don’t rush into a purchase. Give yourself time to live in your new city, explore cool neighborhoods, and hopefully find the area and community in which you feel “at home.” For this reason, a rental might be the best plan for your family.
The neighborhood in which you land first might not be the one you'll love long term.
For those moving West, try https://www.westsiderentals.com/
For those moving to NYC, there’s https://streeteasy.com/
And for those moving to the suburbs of NY/NJ, there’s always https://www.zillow.com/
When you do find your perfect neighborhood, you’ll be more likely to stay for 4 years or more, which is often how long it takes to cover the transaction costs and accrue some equity.
The truth is, relocating across the country with a spouse, kids and- God help you- pets, is complicated, it’s emotional, and brings lots of surprises. Hopefully this practical checklist unburdens you enough to drink up that L.A. sun or take a bite of the Big Apple, no matter which coast you call home.
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