Best Place to Live/Work in Virginia

I live in Northern Virginia and can echo some of what you've already heard. The advantage of living in the Metro area (VA, DC, MD) is you have a lot of choices of hospitals to work in, plus the government (Fed and VA). If you're tight for cash, you might leave most of your stuff in storage in FL for awhile, and just rent a room in a nice neighborhood that's convenient to Metrorail and/or Metrobus. Too many people moving to the DC area think they have to live right near a Metrorail stop. Not true, if you live someplace that's also close to a regular Metrobus line (it integrates with the Metrorail system).

Another place to look for places to live in the Metro DC area is Craigslist.org. You will find that rents are higher inside the Beltway, and especially inside DC, unless you live in a scary neighborhood. :-

Nursetar:

I realize that you are coming from FL, but Virginia is not a small state. A drive from Abingdon, Virginia (where apartment rentals are under $400/month for a BR) to Arlington, VA (rentals well over $1000/month for a 1-BR) is over 400 miles. Similarly, a drive from Abingdon to Virginia Beach is over 400 miles.

In Virginia, you've got a variety of places to live -- mountains (with ski resorts, great hiking, etc), seashore, suburb of the nation's capital, and over 100 counties. I'd encourage you (and your SO) to think what you want in your non-work hours first -- and then direct your search in that manner. You cannot investigate the entire state for living/working conditions in one week.

NURSESTAR:

Just a few quick questions and some things for you to consider....

You indicate that, "...we both have enough savings for rent and expenses until we get a job..." HOW are you able to determine "enough" savings if you are not even sure WHERE you plan to make your home base??? HOW can you view a state...or even a few regions within one state...in ONE week??!! As another poster indicated you are looking at 400 miles of driving between areas. Let's not mention the fact that you don't even know where you, and your SO, want to be???

Additionally... Nurses and most all professions are struggling to find/hold down a job right now. During normal economic times, it was expected that an individual have 6 months in savings to cover rent/utilities/food/essentials/emergency situations. These are hard times that we live in now. In today's, tight economy, I would think that an emergency fund would now consist of 9-12 months of savings!!!! In the Northern Va/DC you will need $2000-2500 a month for your expenses (considering a decent 1-bedroom is $1,000+). In the Hampton Roads/Peninsula area you will need a minimum of $1500-2000 (a decent 1-bedroom is $900). Keep in mind, you do not have a job. If your intent is to stay home and "use the internet" you aren't in any better position than anyone else when it comes to finding a job. Right now, you do not have any job offers and you haven't indicated that you have even begun to apply for jobs. I will "assume" that you will be "pounding the pavement" and making in-person visits to your hospitals of interest so that your job hunting time is reduced (...maybe?...). The price of gas varies from region-to-region in Virginia also....and you may find yourself spending more than expected on gasoline alone.

...Just playing devil's advocate here.......What are your plans...how is your emergency (savings) funds set up...if you do not pass your Virginia state boards (NCLEX) the first time??? If you do not pass, have you even considered how this will affect your emergency savings/job hunting process until you take and pass your boards???...

Virginia....can't speak for West Virginia (...you know, the other state......) has many (1,000s of) graduates that will be job hunting, just like you, in December 09/January 2010. Factor in the number of out-of-state graduates that will be returning home to Virginia to job hunt. I hope you do not think that you will be employed within 1-2 months of sending out job applications. The process could take much longer!!! Competition will be steep for you here in Virginia. In the Hampton Roads/Peninsula area, you will be competing with at least 300 graduating students and only 50 positions (if that many) for new grads/RN with less than 1 year of experience!!! If you do not have an exemplary resume that will really impress nurse recruiters, you are no more ahead of the game (job search) that Virginia's new graduates.

SUGGESTION: Start applying for jobs IMMEDIATELY, online. Hopefully, a medical facility will have an interest and will interview you (phone interview) and offer you a job. Use your solid job offer along with relocation money that will be offered to make your move to Virginia (or any other state). It is better to HAVE A JOB (worry about passing NCLEX when you get here...) than to move and have NO JOB (...you will have to worry about studying for the NCLEX and job hunting...).

There is nothing wrong with living on the edge, taking chances in life--the good and the bad. Whatever you choose to do, wherever you choose to be...best of luck with your final semester of school as well as with your NCLEX.

Have a safe and enjoyable travel to your new place of residence.

Again, just throwing out things for you to consider before making a major move to Virginia (...or any where for that matter!!...) Please note, this response is not intended to insult your intelligence or anyone elses. I'm merely giving you some things to think about.

Anyplace that is not in the Washington, DC metro area should be fine.

Charlottesville, VA is a great place to live and work. The University of Virginia Hospital and Martha Jefferson Hospital are located here as well as many other health care facilities. The only draw back is it's expensive here, especially housing. But lot's of people live outside the county and drive here. I've been out of nursing a few years and don't know the salaries, they were not great when I worked for UVA, but had great benefits. I worked in clinical research the last ten years. Good luck with your job hunt.

This is just my personal opinion: I have traveled through the US for the past 14 years as a consultant for a global company doing educational programs for RN's. Virginia would be my first choice to relocate for a nursing position for several reasons, one being the climate, also the economy is in decent shape, and is centrally located on the east coast and an easy drive to the DC area. Having been at all the Sentara Hospitals in the Va. Beach, Hampton and Norfolk areas
I found the hospitals administration of high standards related to patients and staff. Roanoke is another area, not as easy to get in and out of as the airport is small, however I did enjoy the hospitals. My personal choice is Winchester VA. the Hospital is well positioned financially. The nurses were of high caliber, and were treated very well by administration. The ICU's are very busy, well staffed and state of the art equipment! Again these are my assessments and personal preference. I would suggest if you plan on relocating to VA. Winchester is a must to visit. Winchester is an area that is growing but still has that old town feeling with the historic districts and tree lined street neighborhoods. Good Luck, and congratulations!

Good Luck with your move! I can tell you want out of Florida.
I think there is some terrific advise given here for you on this Blog.
VA is a Beautiful State and if you really want it Go for it with a plan in action.
It is great that you have this web site and are asking ???? before you decide where to move.
The Veteran Hospital in Hamptons and Richmond would be great for a new RN. Also they might even pay off student loans.Where are you going to get 5 weeks vacation that they want you to take and 11 holidays to start with? Check out VACareers.com
Did you ever think of North Florida before you leave the State you might want to check out The Capitol of FL Area? Or did you Check out Gainesville Area The Shands Hospital and the Veterans Healthcare System in Florida then transfer to Virginia? The Veterans hospitals does not have to take that long it just depends where and when you apply. The Federal Budget Begins in the VA Healthcare Systems in November each year. So that should tell you to look at post in Winter then Apply and you should have a interview in a month then get Hire in 4 to 6 weeks. Talk to a VA Nurse Recruiter also.
If you might want to have the time to get a year or two of nursing then Travel to VA as a Travel RN.... Also talk to CORE Nurse staffing or Intellistaff Nurse about Permanent Job Placement, They may be able to really help you get the job of your Dreams. If you are really into Metro Life Style you might Like Washington DC there are a lot of great Hospitals with Great Benefits and Pay.
As far as a Apartment look at Apartment Finders web site or RENT.Com
Also look on Google Maps to see Arial Views
The State of VA Web page would help you with all kinds of Info such as Driver Lis,Insurances etc.. LOL. Stay Positive the Doors will open for you!There are waves in the Job Markets. So Follow your Dreams. Nothing is written in stone or do Want ADS tell you All about where the Jobs are. Have you heard of the Nursing Spectum and or Job Fairs they are a Nationwide Nursing Newspaper for each State and Website, Also years ago the Nursing 09 Magazine use to produce a Catalog of Hospitals in the USA and International; it was a great Resources on over 5000 Hospitals in the USA. Can you believe there was once over 7000 Hospitals in USA? ( just some sidetrack info LOL) Live long and Prosper!
PS: Also look into the State Maryland also the NIH Hospital now I am way off track.

Why not DC Area?