President-elect Donald Trump is considering spending as much time as possible at his $100-million penthouse in New York rather than move into the White House full-time when he takes office, The Daily Telegraph reports.

This was the pattern he developed on the campaign trial, when he would often fly back late at night to New York in order to sleep at Trump Tower, where he has lived for some 30 years.

The Secret Service has reportedly said that protecting him in New York would be a security nightmare and have strongly suggested that he take up residence full-time at the White House.

Security at Trump Tower was increased after he won the Republican nomination, with everyone entering the building having to show identification.

The New York Times reports that Trump's advisers say the president-elect is still trying to get used to the idea that his life is about to radically change and is trying to hold onto the familiar, but suggest that as he becomes more comfortable in his position he will increasingly spend more time in the White House.

Trump especially designed his three-floor New York apartment in the style of Louis XIV and is very proud of it, but after taking a tour of the White House following his meeting with President Barack Obama last week, he was reportedly impressed with the building's neoclassical architecture and history.

It is also unclear when future first lady Melania Trump will move to Washington, as the couple's 10-year-old son Barron is in the middle of a school year in New York, the Times reported.

The Obamas had the same problem with their school-age daughters when he was elected president, but the entire family ended up moving in the day of the inauguration.