Relocating to NYC or New Jersey: where to live while you search
People who relocate here often try to sign a lease from another state, off photos, before they have walked the block. That is a hard way to pick a home. There is an easier way: land somewhere temporary, learn the area, then commit. Here is how I'd set up the first 30 to 90 days.
30 nights
minimum to rent a whole apartment in New York City. Shorter stays go to a hotel.
Source: NYC Office of Special Enforcement
June 11, 2025
since this date, an agent working for the landlord cannot charge the tenant a broker fee in New York City
Source: NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, FARE Act
24/7
PATH trains connect Jersey City and Hoboken to Manhattan around the clock
Source: Port Authority of NY & NJ
Three ways to land
- A hotel for the first week or two. Best when your start date is firm but nothing else is. See hotels in NYC and NJ.
- A furnished monthly rental for 30 to 90 days or more. Furniture and WiFi are already in place, and you get time to look around. See furnished housing.
- A regular 12 month lease. Fine if you already know the area. Risky if you have never seen it.
Why I tell people not to sign a long lease on day one
A lease locks in the commute, the school zone and the neighbors before you know any of them. A month or two in a furnished place lets you test the train at rush hour, walk the area at night and see a few buildings in person. If you are moving with a family or pets, it also gives you room to breathe while your furniture is on a truck.
The 30 night rule in New York City
New York City does not allow a whole apartment to be rented for less than 30 days unless it is in a hotel-type building. So the choice is simple: under 30 nights is a hotel, and 30 nights or more can be a furnished apartment. I explain the rule in NYC short-term rental rules.
Broker fees changed in New York City
Since June 11, 2025, under the city's FARE Act, an agent who works for the landlord, including the listing agent, cannot charge the tenant a broker fee. Landlords and their agents also have to give you an itemized written list of the fees you will owe before you sign a lease. Background and credit check fees are still allowed.
If you hire your own broker to search for you, that fee is yours. The FARE Act is a New York City law, so in New Jersey ask who is paying the broker before you tour.
New York or New Jersey?
It depends on the office. For downtown Manhattan, Jersey City is often a shorter trip than the Upper West Side, and the PATH runs around the clock. For Midtown West, Hoboken works well. If you want a house, a yard and a driveway, that usually means New Jersey or the suburbs north of the city.
See Jersey City vs Manhattan for relocating staff and the best NYC neighborhoods for corporate housing.
A simple 90 day plan
- Before you move: book a hotel or a furnished rental near the office for your arrival.
- Weeks 1 to 4: learn the commute, visit two or three areas on a weekend, and decide whether to rent or buy.
- Weeks 4 to 10: tour in person. For rentals, ask for the fee list in writing. For buying, see home search help.
- Weeks 10 to 13: sign, book the movers, and line up your move-out date with your move-in date.
If your company is paying
Ask HR what the relocation policy covers and for how long, and whether the company pays the housing provider directly or reimburses you. We can work with your HR or mobility team on relocation housing.
Want help with the first step?
Send me the office address, your move date, how many people and pets, and a monthly budget. I'll come back with furnished options that are open for your dates. See relocating to NYC and NJ, or call (201) 241-2792.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- NYC Office of Special Enforcement, short-term rental registration and rules
- NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, FARE Act broker fee FAQ
- Port Authority of NY & NJ, PATH schedules and maps
Educational content, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with the official sources listed here before you sign anything.