Questions about high schools, apt, and a few other things (apartments, rental)

[NYbornNCbred]

My husband and I are considering moving to NYC in a couple of years. We will have 3 children with us (the oldest will be in college). I will have one entering 9th grade, one entering 5th grade and a 3 year old.
In researching the High schools I noticed that each one states that they will not accept your application unless you list them as your first choice. What happens if your child then doesn't get into that school? You've eliminated any other schools because you can only list one as your first choice.
As far as apartments, my credit is pretty crappy although my husband's is not, his problem is that he has a criminal record with a conviction on 2000. I broke a lease on an apt due to safety concerns last year but have paid rent on time always where I live now and will have 3 years in the same home with good rental history when we move. What are our chances of securing an apartment?
We are used to school buses here in the south but I was told that in NYC the children take the subway to school, how safe is this?!?
I am a RN, I do not believe that I will have a problem getting a job, some of the hospitals even offer nurses relocation assistance. My husband I am not sure about, he does construction type work and brick laying.
We will only have $20,000 in savings, is $6,000 or $7,000 going into fees for an apartment realistic or will it be more?
Just those questions to start.....
Thank You!!

[NYbornNCbred]

Wow....nothing??? Maybe I should ask a question about the Bronx or Astoria.

(that was just a joke so don't go crazy)

[QueensSupreme]

I'm not sure about how you would go about securing an apartment as I'm still a college student living at home.

...about the schools, if your child doesn't get into the school they apply to, they will be sent to their zoned school. And yes, NYC kids (for the most part) do not cheese buses to school. We take buses and subways (I took 2 buses to my high school everyday.) I lived walking distance to my elementary school and junior high school so I never had to take the bus or train until HS. I really don't think you should be too concerned about their safety on public transportation. I've never had a problem on it growing up.

[NYbornNCbred]

Thanks so much for the reply, I will try to find out which high schools are zoned where. I have heard that the public high schools ate pretty bad. That would be enough to keep us in the south. I have to think of my childrens safety and education first.
Thanks again!

[loratliff]

I think that no one has replied because, from what you've posted, your chances on making it in NYC seem slim. You may get a job, but I definitely don't see it being enough—even with your husband's income—to support three kids. Do you realize how much apartments here cost?

[TurtleCreek80]

Where do you live now? Providing a good education for your children in NYC is a LUXURY, not a "right" as most suburban Americans would believe. Private schools cost $30k+ per child per year and public high schools are notoriously bad- behavior problems, crime, distractions, you name it. Competition for magnet high schools is fierce and cannot be assumed your kids will get in. So while elementary schools may be ok, you will have to cross the bad school bridge eventually. I would guess the school situation is much better wherever you live now.

Next, an apartment large enough for a family of 5 in NYC would cost $2-3k per month in a neighborhood about an hour out from midtown Manhattan.....is that what you had in mind? In Manhattan or a closer-in Brooklyn or Queens neighborhood, you'd be looking at $4-7k in monthly rent. To meet income qualifications for the 1-hour away neighborhood, you & hubby would need to make a minimum of $120k to survive. For Manhattan or a closer in neighborhood, you'd need about $200k to survive.

The time to live in NYC and enjoy it is either when you are young and single OR after you're empty nesters and you've saved enough to make the move. With a young family, it's going to be a drastic decline in your standard of living. Please think this through very carefully!!

[RageX]

Originally Posted by NYbornNCbred

My husband and I are considering moving to NYC in a couple of years. We will have 3 children with us (the oldest will be in college). I will have one entering 9th grade, one entering 5th grade and a 3 year old.
In researching the High schools I noticed that each one states that they will not accept your application unless you list them as your first choice. What happens if your child then doesn't get into that school? You've eliminated any other schools because you can only list one as your first choice.
As far as apartments, my credit is pretty crappy although my husband's is not, his problem is that he has a criminal record with a conviction on 2000. I broke a lease on an apt due to safety concerns last year but have paid rent on time always where I live now and will have 3 years in the same home with good rental history when we move. What are our chances of securing an apartment?
We are used to school buses here in the south but I was told that in NYC the children take the subway to school, how safe is this?!?
I am a RN, I do not believe that I will have a problem getting a job, some of the hospitals even offer nurses relocation assistance. My husband I am not sure about, he does construction type work and brick laying.
We will only have $20,000 in savings, is $6,000 or $7,000 going into fees for an apartment realistic or will it be more?
Just those questions to start.....
Thank You!!

I got $95,000 in savings, I got a wife and 2 small kids. I should also be getting $2700 a month in VA benefits and she works some, too. I also grew up here. I still hesitate to go back.

With only $20,000 savings and 3 kids, one high-school aged. You don't stand much of a chance, sorry ma'am. If you haven't moved already I would suggest other alternatives.