There’s a reason why we have 100+ top developers at Kaos and millions of people rabidly adore the city. It’s a wonderfully safe, extraordinarily beautiful place with a style, history, and energy all its own. It is truly a great place to work and an awesome place to live. We’ve heard every concern possible and we are confident that those questions will be answered if you give the Big Apple – or the surrounding areas - a shot.
It always ends up after a new employee gets settled in they say “Wow, it’s really a great place and I’m not sure why I was so apprehensive at first.”
Exactly in those words, too. No, seriously.
Everyone says New York City is so expensive, is this true?
Manhattan is in-line with other major cities in terms of rental costs, but there are ways to save as well. Many of our employees that live in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and parts of NJ do not own cars and take public transportation (train, bus, subway, water taxi) to work every day. You know what this means…NO GAS! We save money by not worrying about gas prices, car payments, insurance or maintenance. For our staff that lives further out in NJ, Long Island and NY State they may need a car, but still use public transportation to get to and from work. This also means that they save on gas, car maintenance and they don’t have to deal with traffic!
In general, you get more “bang for your buck” if you live in one of the boroughs, NY State, or NJ. However, we do have several employees that live in Manhattan and wouldn’t have it any other way.
THQ also pays competitively for the region, so that helps too. :)
Where do your employees live?
Kaos employees have the luxury of being able to choose what works best for them and their families. If you love city life, you can join our employees that live in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and parts of NJ. If you crave the relaxation of the suburbs, you can join our employees in NJ, upstate NY, Long Island, and Staten Island. You get the best of both worlds!
Commute time for most of our employees is 20-30 minutes door to door! You also don’t have to deal with traffic! Instead enjoy reading, playing video games on your iPhone/DS/PSP, listening to music, or watching the local talent perform on the trains.
What is available for active types in the NYC area?
The New York City area is full of exciting outdoor activities and events. We have top of the line gyms and sports complexes. We also have several outdoor events that take place in the city like the 5 borough bike tour, the NYC Marathon and other events.
We are also centrally located in between states that offer fun activities like white water rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and more. You can also join the Kaos Studios Push-Up Club or go boxing at lunch with some of the employees.
New York is so huge, how can I figure out where the best place is for me to live?
New York City can be a bit overwhelming at first. Our staff is dedicated to making our new hires comfortable with their transition to the area. We have helped relocate people from all over the country and beyond! We are here to help out in any way possible. Just drop us a line and we’ll answer any questions you have!
If the internet is your lifeline, Wikipedia is a great place to search for different NYC area neighborhoods to get a feel for what it’s like to live here. Craigslist is also a great option for researching apartment prices and locations. You should also check out our state and city websites: www.nyc.gov, www.ny.gov, www.nj.gov.
If books are more your thing; try picking up the Newcomer’s Handbook for Moving and Living in New York City. It includes helpful information on moving and finding residences in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Upstate NY, and Northern New Jersey.
What expenses does the relocation package cover?
Our relocation package includes coverage on expenses from getting you from point A to point B. Here is a small sampling of what we cover; cost of relocating your household goods, packing supplies, plane tickets, hotel stays, transporting vehicles, pets, significant others, etc. We also have the option of 30 days of corporate housing OR a reimbursable broker fee for qualified new hires.
Do you have a moving company you already contract with or should I work with my own moving company?
THQ works with several moving companies to assist with the relocation process. These companies not only schedule your move, but they can also provide storage and can relocate vehicles. These companies also directly bill THQ, so there is no out-of-pocket expense to you.
You are also welcome to use a moving company of your choice. If you decide to use another moving company, you simply keep your receipts and you will be reimbursed. The goal is to get the lowest quote possible, so you have the remainder of your budget available for additional expenses.
What is an apartment “broker”?
This is a question that we get a lot. Apartment brokers are not that common in most of the country, but here in NYC they are everywhere! Apartment brokers are much like real estate agents. They work with clients to help them find an apartment in the NYC area. These brokers will do their best to find an apartment that suits your needs. Once you have found an apartment, the broker will then charge a fee for their services. This is typically 10-15% of your annual rent. This fee is reimbursable (up to a certain amount) for our new hires.
Some people find it helpful to work with a broker because they do the leg work for them. They will be able to book appointments with landlords/building owners and in some cases have exclusive agreements with properties/buildings.
Keep in mind that not all areas require the use of an apartment broker. Many areas in New Jersey, Long Island, upstate New York, and the boroughs have a higher percentage of vacancies. Typically, these locations will not always require as much leg work.
The staff at Kaos is also available to help or answer any questions about neighborhoods, housing, etc. Just ask! :)
What is the timeline for re-imbursement?
Once the receipts have been submitted, it usually takes about 30 days for reimbursement.
Will you cover expenses for me to come down and scout out an apartment prior to starting work?
Yes, one of the things we do is allow our new hires to come down for what we call an “apartment hunting trip.” This expense (flights, hotel, and travel) is included in your relocation budget. Most new hires take about a week to locate an apartment in the NYC area. Also, many new hires choose to work with an apartment broker during this time. You are also welcome to use resources like Craigslist during your trip to locate an apartment.
The other option (for qualified new hires) for finding an apartment is to use 30 days of corporate housing. Many new hires like to use this option because they can take their time to find a place.
What documentation should I have handy when searching for an apartment in the NYC area?
It’s usually helpful to be over-prepared when scouting apartments.
Here are some things that you should have handy: A copy of your offer letter, pay stubs from previous job, copy of W2s, identification, and cashier’s checks for rental fees/down payments. If you are moving in with a spouse or significant other, they should also bring this documentation with them.
How do you do everyday errands in the city? How would I buy groceries?
It’s actually surprisingly easy! If you are living in an area where you have a car, it’s just like the rest of America. If you are living in one of the boroughs or Manhattan, you can go to the grocery store (Whole Foods, Gristede’s, Trader Joes, Key Foods, etc) and most will deliver to your apartment. There is also a wonderful service called Fresh Direct. You can shop for groceries online and get them delivered to your home (for only $4.95) the next day! Check it out: Fresh Direct.
We also have local corner markets, Duane Reade, CVS, K-mart, Target, and pharmacies.
It’s NYC, trust us, you’ll be able to find anything in the world that you could ever want.
How many applications does Kaos receive from outside of the US?
We receive resumes from all over the globe! We also have a very diverse studio and would like to continue in this tradition.
Does THQ assist with Visas?
Yes, we do. If you are a qualified applicant and we have decided to hire you, we will work with our immigration attorney to assist with visas. Candidates will need to provide supporting documentation.
Ok, sounds great, but I’m still a little unsure about NYC. What advice do you have for someone on the fence?
Working at Kaos gives you the freedom to be a part of a large publisher, but have the attitude of a smaller indie game studio. It’s the perfect mix! Being located in NYC is just an added bonus!
Kaos is dedicated to making sure that our new employees have a smooth transition and will work with you to make sure that you are comfortable with your move. We have an excellent relocation package that will make things easy and we try to minimize out of pocket expenses to the new employee.
This is the opportunity of a lifetime to live and work in the coolest city on the planet! NYC is visited by people from all over the world for our rich culture, history and energy. Think about what it would be like to live and work here.