Property taxes are immediately what I thought about. Plan on 2-3% of the purchase price in Bergen County. The upside is that the schools are great–not good, great.
Living in NYC is the most amazing experience you could ever have* if you really want to live in NYC.* If you have no particular desire to live here and are just uprooting for work you might find it very difficult to live here.
There is a lot to love about New York. Constant access to theater, opera, concerts, and other live performances. For people who like to drink there are about a billion bars and nightclubs. Some of the best food in the entire world is available here. You can live your life without a car which, IMO, makes up for the increased cost of rent. Pretty much anything you want to see, do, eat, or wear is somewhere in this city just waiting for you.
However, if you don’t love the constant hum of the city and the natural acceptance of random weirdness this isn’t going to be the place for you. If you can’t get used to buses going by at 3 a.m. or having random streets blocked off during the summer for street fairs you probably shouldn’t move here. Also, if you really love the heat of Atlanta keep in mind that the winters here are pretty dang cold and go from around the end of October through the end of March.
Actually, according to Wikipedia (and the US census):
Update from the PO here. We’re not going to do it. Not because of the move to NY scaring us off. In all the replies above, nothing really stood out as being a deal-breaker.
What wound up being the one barrier that we could not get past was access to family. Both my parents and my wife’s parents live in the same small town in southwest VA, and we are about 5 hours away by car.
Moving to NY would have made that trip much longer or more complicated or more expensive. Both of my parents are in their 90s, so you know, basically on call and all that. So we decided to pass for now.
I’m still thinking the company may change their mind about letting me take the job, but keeping it here in Atlanta, It’s really practically a virtual job anyway. I know they had had some interviews with local candidates in NY, and they are still trying to get me to move, so that says something.
No, the problem with living in NJ is that you’re living in New Jersey.
(Born in Morristown, moved outta state when I was nine)
Well it’s hard to access a situation via a message board with input from dozens. I just popped back in and read your last post. I don’t know where your elders are but commuter flights and Amtrak are in easy reach.
Also, last I looked, we weren’t given much to work with. I felt some questions were too personal to ask on the board–hence the PM invite.
You’re still welcome if you like. I know NYC and I know GA.
NYC is becoming the next Silicon Valley, btw. Tons going on in that field.
GA has a water availability problem and the worst traffic jams into ATL I’ve ever seen.
And just within 3 miles on the East SIde of Manhattan there are like 15 hospitals and research facilities in addition.
I live there in “Hospital Row.” If I’m ever invited to something on the West Side of Manhattan my response is “It’s easier to get to Europe.” And it’s true. 20 minute ride to LGA airport, curbside check-in… 
Good luck!
They aren’t any lower in New York.