Tour homes on live video before you board the plane. We act as your eyes on the ground — shortlisting homes, walking them with your family on video, and handling the details until you land.
Built for busy professionals relocating for tech, finance, healthcare, and corporate roles.
A 20-minute call about your budget, commute, must-haves, and timeline. We build your custom area guide and a shortlist of homes that actually fit.
We walk through shortlisted homes live on video with you and your family — opening closets, checking water pressure, filming the commute route. No surprises later.
We coordinate inspections, paperwork, and remote closing around your start date, so you can focus on the new job — not the logistics.
Neighborhood snapshots for the three metros we serve. Price ranges are rough estimates for orientation only — not appraisals.
Tech workers heading to Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Boeing. The Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland) pairs top-rated schools with short commutes to the region's biggest campuses.
Downtown high-rises, established neighborhoods, and highly rated public schools. Short commute to Microsoft's Redmond campus and downtown Seattle.
Typical range: ~$900K – $2M+
Home of Microsoft's main campus. Mix of townhomes and single-family neighborhoods with trail access along the Sammamish River.
Typical range: ~$800K – $1.6M
Waterfront downtown, Google's Kirkland campus, and walkable shops and restaurants along Lake Washington.
Typical range: ~$850K – $1.8M
Newer construction, highly rated schools, and trail access at the foot of the Cascades. Popular with buyers wanting more space.
Typical range: ~$900K – $1.7M
Ballard, Fremont, and Green Lake offer walkable urban villages with character homes. Good fit for Amazon and South Lake Union commuters.
Typical range: ~$750K – $1.5M
More home for the budget with growing downtowns. Renton sits near Boeing and Sea-Tac; Bothell feeds the I-405 tech corridor.
Typical range: ~$600K – $1.1M
School fit drives many relocation decisions. Check current ratings and boundaries directly:
Semiconductor, tech, healthcare, and finance workers heading to Intel, TSMC, Honeywell, American Express, and Banner Health. The Valley offers newer homes, master-planned communities, and no state income-tax shock for many movers.
Upscale dining, golf, and Old Town nightlife. Strong draw for executives and buyers wanting a polished, amenity-rich base.
Typical range: ~$650K – $1.5M+
Intel's Chandler campus anchors this family-oriented East Valley hub with highly rated schools and master-planned neighborhoods.
Typical range: ~$550K – $1M
One of the Valley's most requested suburbs — newer builds, community events, and a strong school reputation.
Typical range: ~$550K – $950K
Home to Arizona State University. Lively, central, and well-connected by light rail — a fit for younger professionals.
Typical range: ~$450K – $800K
Arcadia offers character homes near Camelback Mountain; Desert Ridge brings newer master-planned living in North Phoenix near TSMC.
Typical range: ~$600K – $1.4M
Value picks on the northwest side with newer construction and easy freeway access to the Loop 303 employment corridor.
Typical range: ~$450K – $750K
School fit drives many relocation decisions. Check current ratings and boundaries directly:
Finance, tech, media, and healthcare professionals heading to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding suburbs. NYC moves hinge on commute math — subway lines, PATH, and Metro-North shape every shortlist.
Condos and co-ops near the Financial District, Midtown, and Hudson Yards. Walk-to-work living at a premium — co-op boards add steps to the process.
Typical range: ~$1M – $3M+
Park Slope, Williamsburg, and Brooklyn Heights blend brownstones, new condos, and strong subway access to Manhattan offices.
Typical range: ~$900K – $2.5M
Astoria and Forest Hills offer relative value with quick Midtown commutes. Diverse neighborhoods with deep transit options.
Typical range: ~$650K – $1.4M
PATH-train access to Manhattan, waterfront views, and newer high-rises. Popular with finance commuters wanting more space per dollar.
Typical range: ~$750K – $1.8M
Scarsdale, White Plains, and Yonkers offer suburban living on Metro-North lines into Grand Central. A classic family relocation corridor.
Typical range: ~$700K – $1.8M
Great Neck, Manhasset, and Garden City pair LIRR commutes with highly regarded schools. Single-family homes dominate.
Typical range: ~$800K – $2M
NYC public schools run through one citywide Department of Education; suburbs have their own districts. Check current ratings and boundaries directly:
Same $200,000 salary, three very different take-home numbers. State and city income taxes are the swing factor — here's the rough math for a single filer in 2026.
| $200,000 salary, single filer (2026 est.) | Seattle–Eastside, WA | Phoenix Metro, AZ | New York City, NY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Federal income tax (est.) | $36,734 | $36,734 | $36,734 |
| FICA — Social Security + Medicare (est.) | $14,339 | $14,339 | $14,339 |
| State + city income tax (est.) | $0 (no state income tax) | $4,791 (2.5% flat) | $18,077 (state + NYC) |
| Estimated take-home | $148,927 | $144,136 | $130,850 |
| ≈ per month | $12,411 | $12,011 | $10,904 |
How the state lines are calculated: WA — no state income tax. AZ — 2.5% flat rate on Arizona taxable income ($200,000 minus the $8,350 single standard deduction = $191,650 × 2.5%). NY — state tax ≈ $10,760 on NY taxable income ($200,000 minus the $8,000 standard deduction) using 2026's reduced rates (3.90%–5.90%), plus NYC tax ≈ $7,317 (3.078%–3.876%) on the same base. NYC's city tax applies to residents of the five boroughs — commuters living in New Jersey, Westchester, or Long Island don't pay it.
ILLUSTRATIVE ESTIMATES ONLY — not tax advice. Simplified comparison for a single filer with no dependents taking the standard deduction. Excludes 401(k), HSA, and health-insurance deductions, bonuses, equity compensation, local variations, and credits. Actual withholding and liability will differ. Consult a qualified tax professional for your situation. Sources: IRS 2026 federal brackets & standard deduction; Social Security Administration 2026 wage base ($184,500); Tax Foundation 2026 state rates; NY Dept. of Taxation and Finance 2026 rate phase-in; NYC Dept. of Finance city brackets.
Your salary doesn't move alone — your expenses move with you. Here's how everyday costs compare across the three metros, indexed to New York City = 100.
| Index (NYC = 100) | New York City | Seattle | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall incl. rent | 100.0 | 76.9 | 57.3 |
| Rent alone | 100.0 | 60.2 | 39.7 |
| Groceries | 100.0 | 98.0 | 75.0 |
| Restaurants | 100.0 | 95.8 | 77.9 |
| Local purchasing power | 100.0 | 165.0 | 139.0 |
Cost-of-living indices are approximate, based on crowdsourced Numbeo data ("Cost of Living Index by City 2026," NYC = 100 baseline, accessed September 2026). Individual spending varies widely by neighborhood and lifestyle — treat these as directional, not precise.
The same budget buys a very different home depending on the metro. These are typical scenarios for orientation — not listings, and every neighborhood has exceptions.
Seattle–Eastside: townhome or condo in Redmond or Kirkland; a starter single-family home in Renton or Bothell.
Phoenix: a newer 4-bedroom single-family home in Gilbert, Chandler, or Tempe — often with a pool.
NYC metro: a 1–2 bedroom condo in Queens or Hoboken/Jersey City; a co-op in the outer boroughs (plus co-op board approval).
Seattle–Eastside: a single-family home in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, or Issaquah — the heart of the Eastside market.
Phoenix: a larger or upgraded single-family home in Scottsdale, Arcadia, or Desert Ridge.
NYC metro: a 2-bedroom condo in Brooklyn or Queens, or in Hoboken/Jersey City with Manhattan views.
Seattle–Eastside: a premium single-family home in Bellevue or Kirkland, possibly near the Lake Washington waterfront.
Phoenix: a luxury single-family home in Scottsdale, Arcadia, or Paradise Valley.
NYC metro: a 2–3 bedroom condo in Manhattan or prime Brooklyn — or a single-family home in Westchester or Nassau County.
Illustrative scenarios based on current market conditions — not appraisals and not listings. Actual availability, home types, and prices vary by neighborhood and change constantly. Tell us your budget and we'll show you what's real right now.
Typical peak-hour drive times from each neighborhood to the area's major employer campuses — plus the transit alternative where it exists. Approximate ranges, not guarantees; traffic varies by day and route.
Anchored by Microsoft (Redmond), Amazon (South Lake Union, Seattle), and Google (Kirkland). I-405 and SR-520 set the rhythm here.
| Live in | Work at | Typical drive | Transit option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue (Downtown) | Microsoft, Redmond | 15–30 min | Bus / future light rail connections |
| Bellevue (Downtown) | Amazon, South Lake Union | 20–40 min | Sound Transit bus via I-90 |
| Redmond | Microsoft, Redmond | 10–20 min | Local bus; bike-friendly campus area |
| Kirkland | Google, Kirkland | 10–20 min | Local bus along Lake St |
| Kirkland | Microsoft, Redmond | 15–25 min | Bus via NE 85th / 520 |
| Issaquah | Microsoft, Redmond | 20–35 min | Bus via I-90 |
| North Seattle (Green Lake / Ballard) | Amazon, South Lake Union | 15–30 min | Link light rail / RapidRide bus |
| North Seattle (Green Lake / Ballard) | Microsoft, Redmond | 30–50 min | Bus + 520 corridor |
Anchored by Intel (Chandler), TSMC (North Phoenix), and ASU (Tempe). A driving metro — freeways (101, 202, I-10) do the heavy lifting.
| Live in | Work at | Typical drive | Transit option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler | Intel, Chandler | 10–20 min | Limited bus; driving metro |
| Gilbert | Intel, Chandler | 15–25 min | Limited bus; driving metro |
| Tempe | ASU, Tempe | 5–15 min | Valley Metro light rail + streetcar |
| Tempe | Intel, Chandler | 20–35 min | Light rail + bus connections |
| Scottsdale | TSMC, North Phoenix | 25–40 min | Limited; driving metro |
| Desert Ridge / N. Phoenix | TSMC, North Phoenix | 10–20 min | Limited; driving metro |
Anchored by Midtown and the Financial District. Here the subway, PATH, and Metro-North — not the car — decide your commute.
| Live in | Work at | Typical transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astoria, Queens | Midtown | 20–35 min | N/W subway lines |
| Astoria, Queens | Financial District | 35–55 min | Subway with transfer |
| Park Slope, Brooklyn | Midtown | 30–45 min | B/Q or R trains |
| Park Slope, Brooklyn | Financial District | 25–40 min | R / 4-5 trains |
| Hoboken, NJ | Midtown | 25–40 min | PATH + subway transfer |
| Hoboken, NJ | Financial District | 20–35 min | PATH direct to World Trade Center |
| White Plains, Westchester | Grand Central / Midtown | 35–50 min | Metro-North Harlem Line |
Commute times are typical peak-hour ranges for orientation only — actual times vary with traffic, transit schedules, exact addresses, and hybrid-work patterns. Verify current routes with a mapping app before deciding.
The practical order of operations we walk every relocating buyer through — start at the top and work down.
Set your total budget (home price + moving + reserves). Get pre-approved by a lender. Ask HR for your full relocation benefits in writing. Book your free VDI intro call so we can start your area guide.
Finalize 2–3 target neighborhoods with us. Start live video tours of shortlisted homes. Interview movers and get quotes. Give notice on your current lease if you're renting.
Make offers with our pricing strategy and local market data. Schedule inspections. Book your movers and arrange temporary housing if there's a gap between arrival and closing.
Confirm closing and moving dates. Set up utilities and renter's/homeowner's insurance. Start your address-change list: USPS, banks, employer, voter registration, subscriptions.
Final walkthrough and keys. Unpack the essentials first (beds, kitchen, work setup). Transfer your driver's license and vehicle registration (see deadlines below). Meet the neighbors — you're home.
Timelines vary with your start date, market conditions, and whether you're buying before you arrive or renting first. We'll tailor the sequence to your situation on the intro call.
There's no charge for the relocation consultation or the shortlist. If you buy through us, the seller typically covers the buyer's agent compensation.
Neighborhoods, commute times, and lifestyle notes matched to your criteria — not a generic PDF.
We tour shortlisted homes with you on live video, with your family or partner on the call.
We screen listings against your must-haves and rule out the duds before you spend a minute on them.
Introductions to lenders, inspectors, movers, and contractors we've worked with in each metro.
Paperwork, inspections, and closing coordinated around your start date — including remote options where available.
Competitive markets move fast. We advise on pricing and terms using current market data — estimates, never appraisals.
How to research schools and safety in any metro using official sources — enrollment, data links, and a research checklist. Read the guide →
Moving somewhere new means buying into a market you haven't lived in yet. We fix that with a free, broker-prepared market analysis for the neighborhoods you're eyeing — prepared by hand by a licensed broker, not generated by an automated tool. Delivered by email within a few business days.
How median prices in your target areas have moved recently, so you can tell an appreciating neighborhood from a cooling one before you commit.
How fast homes are going under contract in the areas you're considering — which tells you how quickly you'll need to act when the right home appears.
How close homes sell to their asking price — the clearest signal of whether you're walking into a bidding-war market or one with negotiating room.
How many homes are currently on the market in the areas you're eyeing — your realistic sense of choice, competition, and leverage.
An honest read on the home styles, neighborhoods, and trade-offs your budget maps to in each target area — based on recent market data, not generic price bands.
A licensed broker pulls and reviews the data for your specific neighborhoods and budget. It's an estimate for planning purposes — not an appraisal — and it's free whether or not you buy through us.
Tell us where you're headed and which neighborhoods you're eyeing. We'll prepare your analysis and email it to you within a few business days.
Request My Free Market AnalysisMost employers offer one of two structures — and more of it is negotiable than people realize. General guidance, not legal or tax advice.
Lump sum: your employer gives you a fixed cash amount and you manage the move yourself — maximum flexibility, but you keep the receipts and the risk of overruns.
Managed: a relocation company handles movers, temporary housing, and logistics against company policy — less hassle, less choice.
Ask which one you're getting before you sign the offer — it changes your home-search timeline.
• One or two house-hunting trips (flights + hotel) before you move
• Temporary housing — typically 30–60 days; ask for 60 if you're buying sight-unseen
• Closing-cost coverage or a credit toward them
• Lease-break reimbursement on your current rental
• Spousal/partner job-search support
• Shipment and storage of household goods
• A sign-on bonus earmarked to offset moving costs
• Is any part of the package tax-grossed-up, or do I owe tax on it?
• Is there a repayment (clawback) clause if I leave within 12–24 months?
• What's the deadline to use each benefit?
• Does the policy cover home-sale assistance if I own now?
• Can unused benefits convert to cash?
• Who is my single point of contact once I accept?
Relocation benefits vary widely by employer and are subject to company policy and tax law. Get every commitment in writing and consult a tax professional about the tax treatment of your package. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
The paperwork clock starts the day you become a resident. Deadlines differ by state — here's what each one requires.
• Driver's license: transfer within 30 days of becoming a resident.
• Vehicle registration: register within 30 days of becoming a resident.
• No state income tax return to file — but update your address with your employer for correct withholding.
• Register to vote — Washington votes entirely by mail; ballots arrive automatically once registered.
• Driver's license & registration: Arizona moves fast — state law requires a driver's license immediately once residency criteria are met (working in AZ, registering to vote, enrolling kids in school, etc.), and vehicle registration within 15 days of establishing residency.
• No written or road test if you hold a valid out-of-state license — vision screening only.
• Vehicles in the Phoenix metro area need an emissions test before registration.
• File a part-year resident return for your move year.
• Driver's license: exchange your out-of-state license within 30 days of becoming a resident — no road test if your current license is valid.
• Vehicle registration: register within 30 days; New York requires NY-based insurance on any NY-registered vehicle — out-of-state policies don't count.
• If you live in the five boroughs, expect NYC income tax on top of state tax (see the paycheck section above).
• File a part-year resident return for your move year.
Electric, gas, water, trash, and internet — schedule connections a week before move-in so nothing's dark on night one. Update renter's or homeowner's insurance to the new address.
USPS change of address, then banks, credit cards, employer payroll, insurance, voter registration, subscriptions, and anyone who sends you anything important. Do it in one sitting — it takes 30 minutes.
Find a primary-care doctor, dentist, and vet before you need one. Locate the nearest urgent care, pharmacy, and grocery run. Then introduce yourself to a neighbor — local knowledge beats search results.
Deadlines and requirements change — verify current rules at dol.wa.gov (Washington), azdot.gov (Arizona), and dmv.ny.gov (New York) before you act. The Arizona "as soon as residency criteria are met" requirement reflects ADOT new-resident guidance; confirm timing for your situation directly with ADOT. This is general information, not legal advice.
Recruiters and HR teams: share this page with incoming employees. We'll give each new hire the same white-glove treatment — area guide, video tours, and a smooth landing — at no cost to your team.
Partner With UsTell us where you're headed and when. We'll send your custom area guide and first shortlist within two business days.
Start My Free Relocation PlanNeighborhood price ranges shown are rough market estimates for general orientation only and are not appraisals. Equal Housing Opportunity. VDI Realty does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
