RN with 3 year Med/Tele Exp Relocating to Dallas/ Houston

U.S.A. Texas

Published

Hi everyone,

I'm relocating to Texas in the Fall 13/ Spring 14 and wanted to get some info on Tx. First and foremost, I would like to know what neighborhoods are nice for raising a family, as I have 3 small children (6 y/o girl and 5 month old twin boys). Things like great schools, family friendly neighborhoods, low crime rate and easy commute are a must have. I also would like to avoid the real rural areas, as Im from Miami, Fl and don't think I can adjust to that just yet. I would like to also know what areas are popular for the middle class and affluent African American (no racism intended). What are the best hospitals to work for? What is an experienced RN starting pay? Whats the nurse to pt ratio? What is the job market like for exp RN? and How much does a nice 4/3 apt or home go for rent.

FYI, I have already applied for my endorsement, verified my license and is awaiting to get fingerprinted and take the prudence jurisdiction exam.

BTW, I'm leaning more towards the Dallas area over Houston.

Thank you all so very much!!!!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Missouri City is an upper-middle class black suburb of Houston.

I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Cedar Hill is an upper-middle class, majority black suburb of Dallas. Desoto, Duncanville and Lancaster are also majority black suburbs of Dallas, but they are more middle income. They are all off the Interstate 20 corridor, which offers an easy commute.

I cannot speak for the pay rates in Houston, but the pay rates in Dallas are low. Since new grads start at about $23 to $25 in most local hospital systems, a nurse with three years of experience is going to be offered no more than high $20s to low $30s per hour at the most.

I am a single black female nurse and live in a part of Fort Worth called the Far Southwest. My zip code has a lot of African Americans, lots of nice homes, and an average household income of $83k yearly.

Thank you @thecommuter! I wasn't expecting a response so quickly, so im ecstatic to see one!!! What are the hospitals and patient ratios like in far southwest? And how expensive is it to live in that area? I will be putting my home up for rent prior to relocating, so im hoping to find a similar residential area that will be affordable, but upscale at the same time.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Homes in my zip code (76123) range from a few built in the 1980s to the vast majority built within the last 10 years. Home prices range from $80k (small basic 3-bedroom) to $250k+ (custom built 5,000 square foot house with three living rooms and five or six bedrooms). The average home price in this zip code is about $120k to $150k, and you will get a lot of square footage for your money.

My house was built in 2004 and cost $104k back in 2005, but is probably worth no more than $90k today due to the real estate meltdown of a few years ago. It is 1,800 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 2 car garage, and construction grade materials (vinyl floors and basic carpet).

Be forewarned that property tax rates are expensive here in Texas. I pay about $2,500 yearly, but I know of others who pay well over $5,000.

Hospitals here include Harris Methodist, Huguley, Baylor, Plaza Medical Center, and others. John Peter Smith is the county hospital.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I am a Houstonian - and disagree with Commuter. I know a lot of people who live in that community would be very surprised to hear that Missouri City has been categorized as a "Black" community - LOL. Houston is an extremely diverse city (most diverse in the US, according to 2010 census). I live in an area that is home to a large number of people of Korean heritage, but it certainly is not a "Korean" community. Typical Houston would be a Tacaria, Korean BBQ, Cajun seafood, Soul Food & Kolache restaurants in the same strip center!

I encourage you to FIRST determine where you are going to be working - then choose a place to live. You really don't want to have to deal with a horrendous commute. If you opt to work in The Medical Center (TMC), take a look at the 288 corridor... Lots of housing options, including new construction & the commute is easy.

It's probably a good idea to obtain accurate data rather than going by anyone's opinion. Here is ethnicity information Houston TX Real Estate Information - NeighborhoodScout You can investigate crime statistics for yourself on the Houston City website Neighborhood (Police Beat) Crime Statistics Since you're from Florida, you will also appreciate the need to consider flooding and storm surge risk Here is that website Harris County Flood Control District And Here is the school district info Houston School Information and Houston School Rankings: HAR.com.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I am a Houstonian - and disagree with Commuter. I know a lot of people who live in that community would be very surprised to hear that Missouri City has been categorized as a "Black" community - LOL.
Perhaps I should have worded things differently. . .

Missouri City is nearly 50 percent African-American and blacks are the largest racial-ethnic group in the city. Missouri City has an average household income of about $82,000 annually, so it is a bit more 'moneyed' than the national average.

The OP was looking for suburbs and areas with an abundance of middle-class and upper class blacks, and I was attempting to point her in the right direction. Perhaps I was inaccurate by referring to Missouri City as a black suburb, but I still stand by my original point.

Have you visited both cities yet? I would second a previous post and say find a job then find a house/apt closeby. Traffic in both cities suck. I live in Plano, which is the north dallas area. I really like it here, but it is on the tad bit expensive side, and probably not as diverse as you want it to be. Its diverse don't get me wrong, but doesn't compare to places like Arlington, grand prarie, duncanville. Cedar Hill might be your best bet, diverse, and good schools. Also irving is nice also. If you are looking to come up north, plano, allen, frisco, and mckinney are great. Everything is nice and new, and the schools here are top notch.

I work at medical city in dallas and get paid almost 29 bucks, and I just started there last October as a new grad. Presby pays well I heard, especially the one in plano.

Good luck on your journey. P.S. I used to live in Miami too! Went to grad school at Barry and lived in North Miami Beach. I sure do miss it sometimes. Especially being a stone throw away from the water.

Thx @HouTx and Jomajoma. @Jomajoma, I have not visited neither an plan to really soon. I have a friend up in Frisco and she says its really nice and family oriented. I recently received a call from Methodist Sugar Land. Have you guys heard anything about the place? Good or bad?

Sugarland is a nice place to live. Frisco is very nice also. It is right next door to us here in Plano. I would say that Sugarland is more diverse, but they are pretty much the same. If you end up in Sugarland, there is one school, I can't think of the name right now, that is one of the top high schools in the state. You may want to be near there so you can be zoned to that school.

Good luck on your search and welcome to Texas!

Thank you again @ jomajoma!!!!! How do you like working at Medical city. Do you work nights or days? and whats the nurse:pt ratio?

I just move from Plano my best friend lives in Houston she a ER nurse there.Plano was Great with Good school for kids.It's more exspesive tho. Pay is well I worked at Plano Medical Center but didnt reall like it if you can get into Baylor you will Love It. Frisco is Nice but pricey and so is Allen you cant beat it, I love that outlet there. Texas pays them $$$$$$ better than Florida I just didnt like Texas weather are Traffic=BADDD

Specializes in ED.

Hello jomajoma , please can u feel me on with more info! i will be graduating in a couple months and definitely want to move to North dallas( frisco, Plano etc). I noticed its expensive and schools are great. was it easy getting a job or did u have to hustle through plus i am doing my ACLS, PALS and Mechanical Ventillation training because i want to land a job in ICU. Idk if that helps. I have been an LVN for 7 years but worked mostly SNF and Home Health!

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