Finding a lucrative niche in a warm weather state.

[flg8tr]

Hello all.

I'm currently working in the California Bay Area, but would love to move somewhere warm outside of California (ideally in the south, but flexible). There are obviously warmer places here in Cali, but real estate is insane almost everywhere in the state and taxes are very high.

I have considered places like Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Memphis, parts of Florida... the one thing all places have in common is dismal pay (I have large student loans to pay off from two degrees)

Have any of you found niches in places like these that offer better pay than floor nursing? I have looked into correctional nursing, home health, MD office jobs etc, but found that there isn't much difference (I was actually very surprised that the correctional jobs I saw seemed to pay even less than hospitals in that area).

I have about 3.5 years of experience (RN-BSN) in acute care neuro, cardiac tele and most recently interventional radiology (moderate sedation etc)

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Zookeeper3]

IN NC here, now rent and houses are way cheaper here than in Cal. I'm in an area where the housing hasn't tanked and a 4br house in the best school district is $1200-$1400/mon. A decent house is $900 to rent if school district isn't an issue. Locally we're not using agency but we're short... go figure.

So consider NC, but it does get down into the 30's in winter, cold as all get out tonight... but we still get 4 seasons, minus the snow! Beach is close, so are the mountains. Just an idea.