No.Colorado Economy? Relocating

I am in Ft. Collins - and you are right, the job market stinks and this region has some of the highest rates of bankruptcy in the nation. The past couple years, there have been massive layoffs by some of the high tech companies here. The job market isn't that great for nurses, either. You should be able to find a job as a RN (with experience), but it doesn't seem that facilities in this area are in any way 'desperate'for RN's like they are in CA, and other places that I have heard of. Sorry to be negative, my DH and I are both affected by this 'crappy economy.' I hope to be moving in the next year or so. Hope you have better luck.

I am moving to the Boulder area and there are many many more jobs there than here in Fl. The hospital I am going to is <150 beds and they have a bigger need for nurses than the 400 bed hospital I currently work for in FL. I did research Ft Collins and the job market there seemed very tight. The Magnet facilty in Ft Collins is building a new Hospital in Longmont (I believe) and it is slated to open around 2007-2008.

Cost of living where we are going is higher for some things, but the pay is also higher.

Cost of living is definitely an important factor - what may seem like a good wage might not keep food on the table. I am in southeastern Colorado, but the job market out here is virtually obsolete. People can't even get jobs at Wal-Mart or McDonald's because businesses are saturated with people looking for work and there is simply not enough jobs to go around. Businesses already are fully staffed and there were two huge companies that just closed their doors in this area, laying off hundreds. The economy is really hurting right now and people are leaving, going to the bigger areas and saturating their job markets as well.

My suggestion would be to try to find employment before you move, that way you are not strapped or stuck when you do come. I work for Social Services and my welfare caseload has increased greatly in the past year - it is about 4 or 5 times as high as it was only two years ago. These people have never been on welfare before and don't want to be, but their options are out. Very sad to see all these people struggling.

Best of luck in whatever you do - planning I think is key out here. Not that you can't make the move, but just be wise about it and don't rush into anything. Even with those struggling out here, I love Colorado!

Where in Northern Co.? It can really vary; what town did you visit?

I have a relative who lives in Greeley and works as a CNA, she is transferring to the hospital and will be making $18.00 per hour there. Cost of living is high, but I think pay is pretty decent - she certainly has no complaints and just bought a house close to there. My brother lived in Greeley for a couple of years and loved it, but he moved to CA where the job market was not so tight and the cost of living was more reasonable.

Good luck!

Interesting. Yeah - the pay is really good in comparison to out here, but the cost of living is pretty high. I really wish you the best of luck and hope you have an easy transition and can quickly find a new job. I don't live up there, so I don't know for sure, but it certainly is a struggle for people down here. Enjoy Colorado, it is definitely a beautiful place!

Average pay for CNA's in Greeley/Ft. Collins area is more in the range of $9-$14/hr, depending on shift and experience. This person may be working for Banner Staffing - they do pay well but that is with no benefits and no guaranteed hours.

Also, the cost of housing in Greeley is far less than surrounding areas, esp Denver.