Is it worth the move?

TampaCCRN · Aug 28, 2003

Hi! I live in tampa and after I got married and onto my husband's insurance, I went Per diem. Starting new you will be at 18 and change. Work about 6 months or so and you can go per diem and make the 60k. This is as long as you don't depend on the insurance.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2003

Originally posted by paula77720
Hi all,
Now im worried that i won't be able to pay my loans and credit card debts if i move there. But then again, the weather, family-oriented environment and good working condition in most hospitals (i heard) is something that makes me consider the move.

I appreciate your honest opinion. Thanks a lot!

Family oriented????

Good working conditions??????

Psstt I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn

versatile_kat · Aug 28, 2003

It really depends on which area of the hospital you want to work in (and if you want to work in a hospital at all). There's a reason your friends are making 60K a year fresh out of school ... cost of living! Now, Tampa's not cheap, but its no where near as expensive as some of the major northern cities.

Another way to look at your paycheck in relation to your lifestyle is where you decide to live. Tampa is a city of suburbs. Not a lot of people live in the city, unless they make close to 100K a year or are just staying week by week with a job that flies them down here. Look into living in New Tampa, Brandon, Apollo Beach, Riverview, etc. Get in contact with the convention and visitors bureau of Tampa and tell them you're looking into moving here ... they'll send you plenty of info to entice you and your wallet.

As far as paying off your loans, some hospital's offer a loan repayment if you sign on to do a 2 or 3 year contract. That get's a little sticky, because you may not like the unit or floor you end up on and may not have a lot of choices for movement to another area of the hospital. For that reason alone I would seek employment at Tampa General Hospital; it's a level one trauma hospital with about 6 or 7 ICU's and about 5 or 6 med-surg floors, plus it just opened up a one-day surgery center. So if you don't like where you start off then you can move somewhere else! And one of my coworker's in the CSU was on their loan repayment plan ... so it's possible!

Good luck and welcome to Tampa if that's what you decide to do!

OnMyWay · Aug 28, 2003

You also have to consider what you're gaining in lifestyle. Tampa is worlds away from New York City but the lifestyle here is MUCH more relaxed and we have spectacular beaches and outdoor life here that you can't get in New York. You may be trading money for less stress - you have to decide what is more important to you. Also - you can buy a house here in New Tampa for under $200k - I don't think you can do that in much of the Northeast so you can factor in lower mortgage payments as well as no state income tax.

(I was born in NYC but raised in Florida - wouldn't trade it for the world!!!)

Good luck in your decision.

Melissa

paula77720 · Aug 28, 2003

thank you guys for all your inputs. I really appreciate it!

I was surfing the net last nite about the new communities in New Tampa and Brandon area and you're right, some of them are relatively inexpensive. I heard that New Tampa's streets are now getting congested due to numerous housing developments in the area and the commute to downtown tampa is horrible. Also, someone told me that it is better to buy a property in Hillsborough county because it doesnt get flooded. Is this true?

being a local, which area do you recommend to buy our first house if both of us work in Downtown Tampa? Thanks again for your help.

OnMyWay · Aug 28, 2003

Yes, New Tampa's main road (Bruce B. Downs) is somewhat congested but they are widening it. I don't go anywhere near Downtown and I have heard that drive can be pretty bad. I have only lived in Tampa 2 years (grew up in Miami) so I don't know much about the other areas. Pinellas county taxes and insurance are higher because it's more coastal. Manatee has lower taxes but it's pretty far from downtown. There are some places that flood in Hillsborough but it's mainly along the rivers. I personally wouldn't buy in Brandon - it is VERY congested (mostly with strip malls and the like) and you would still have the traffic going into downtown. The merge at I-275 and I-4 is where the problem is so anything that brings you through it is where you have your problem.

2banurse · Aug 29, 2003

Originally posted by paula77720
Hi all,

I'm from New York and moving to Tampa, Florida when i finished May of next year. I heard that the starting salary for fresh grad is $18 - $20/hr in Tampa or around $35k/year. I'm currently working in the Doctor's office, assisting endo and colonoscopy procedures and getting $18/hr. My friend who just started work in the hospital is getting $60 k/yr. Now im worried that i won't be able to pay my loans and credit card debts if i move there. But then again, the weather, family-oriented environment and good working condition in most hospitals (i heard) is something that makes me consider the move.

I appreciate your honest opinion. Thanks a lot!

Hi Paula,

I guess I am the reverse of you. I'm originally from NY, moved down here a few years ago, and I feel stuck. Yeah, in the papers and online it looks cheaper down here, but not completely. Food is definitely more expensive down here than up there. It is also getting very congested down here. I live in Manatee County and every year more and more people are moving here. Think about your expenses (car payment, loans and credit cards), the aren't going to change when you move down here, but your salary will. The weather...well, up in NY, the months of Jan, Feb and March are something to be desired. Here it is the summer months (i.e. rainy months) which can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Every single day we have rain. When they talk of only a percentage of rain...please! I figure that if they are saying that there is a 50% of rain, it is going rain probably 50% of the day.

As I said, the only reason I am still down here is because I am stuck...financially. To move back to NY, I need at least $5,000 and that's too move in with family! With paying all my monthly expenses, it feels near to impossible. I figure that I might as well finish nursing school down here and then move back up. Hopefully in a couple of years I'll be able to afford it.

Just think carefully!

Kris

OnMyWay · Sep 1, 2003

LOL - 2banurse - This year we've had much more rain than usual, however, summer is the rainy season. BUT - in February, you can go out without having to put on 17 layers of clothing!!

There is definately no perfect place for everyone. Having been born in New York and living in NY, NJ, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle and Germany - I finally realized that I belong in Florida. It just feels right to me. Just like there is someone for everyone - there is also somPLACE for everyone.

Melissa

Cs Jinx · Sep 5, 2003

is ur friend getting 60k in nyc?

Prof Reed · Jan 16, 2004

Another thing to consider is that when you move to Florida, you will get an automatic pay raise!! How?? FLorida does not have a state income tax. so whatever money you are paying in state income tax (ie:6%), will automatically go into your pocket here in Florida. When I moved from Michigan to Florida, the salary was lower, but my take home pay was essentially that same as in Michigan.

Good luck

dragonfly954 · Jan 16, 2004

I've heard Tampa General is a great place to work.They have a good trauma level 1,burn floor,etc.All the major stuff there.i live in a little town.All of our major cases are sent over there to TG.Don't know much about the pay rate for a new grad.some friends that are nurses in the area told me it is somewhere in the 18 and change range until you have a couple years experience.