Move to Chattanooga?

Less than California, I promise you. Housing here though, is considerably less expensive. Decent houses in good neighborhoods are usually under $200,000 with many below $150,000. Our electricity rates are among the lowest in the nation due to TVA. Our sales tax is awful...9.25% on nearly everything, including food.

We don't make as much but then, things don't cost as much. I really love living here.

I'm in Chattanooga and I've heard ICU nurses make really good money. You can get a great house in a great neighborhood for under $200,000 but you won't make as much as you would in California. Many of my family members are from California (Vallejo- sp? and LA) and are moving back because they've missed Chattanooga's beauty and atmosphere so much. We're known as "the scenic city".

I'm making the opposite move going from Chattanooga to San Francisco in the fall. The greatest difference of course is the pay scale/cost of living factor. You will most likely be getting between 50-70% of what you're making now unless perhaps you do travel. But housing costs are quite a bit cheaper. I don't mind having to pay higher rent in San Francisco because I'll pay off my student loans about 5x faster this way. I recommend working your tail off to horde up money while in CA , your money will stretch a long way in good ole Chat-town.
PS If you're not familiar with "Southern livin'" you may be in for a culture shock.

5-19-2007
So nobody is actually saying how much an RN makes in Chattanooga? Is it that bad?

a21chdchic in AZ

New Grads at Erlanger, Memorial and Parkridge started at $17 last year. I worked per diem at a mental health facility for $23. I don't know what an ICU nurse makes, I believe that there isn't actually a higher pay specifically for ICU nurses, just higher pay depending on total experience but I could be wrong about that. Hope that helps