Re: Best Place to Live/Work in Virginia
When I got my nurse's license in VA, I was surprised to learn that it's one of many "compact" states. You have a license in all those states when you have one in VA and vice versa. Reciprosity means that no additional exams are necessary, as long as the BON accepts the educational req's of the state in which you were licensed before. I've had good experiences talking and going to the BON in Richmond, VA. It's very cooperative and helpful.
Richmond as the capitol and largest city in VA, has a lot of interesting areas, architecture and events. It was sinking into corruption for a long time, and then a Governor was elected who was able to get budgets out of red ink. He is now chairing the Democratic Party in Washington, and someone new will be elected Governor in Nov. It's a good time to get to know people, as a volunteer with a political candidates' campaign offices. You'd learn a lot quickly about the make-up of the constituents. Reform of Health Care isn't a popular cause in VA.
I'm at the opposite end of the rainbow than you are, in that I'm at the end of my career. Migrating from Canada to California in the early '60s gave me insight into the needs to consider when travelling far from home to a new life, though. I was told to choose where I lived carefully, as I'd probably meet my husband there. A friend of my sister's who lived in northern CA suggested that I choose the peninsula, south of San Francisco, and I loved it there. I did find it strange that the medical center where I worked had stated objectives that were above patient care! The infighting and political nature of nurses was very foreign to me, so I ended up working for a physician on staff, as his "nurse Friday", for a year. I learned a lot there.
Sometimes things work out by happenstance. My life changed permanently when I met the man who would become my husband, when I went to the laundry room of our apartment complex. He had 3 roomates from Law School and lived across from the apartment I shared with 3 other nurses who worked at the medical center there. In those days, dangers that exist today were largely absent, as crime was minimal. However I remember choosing the place where I lived because it was next to a first rate university. I like discussions with intelligent people..... Also there was an incredible shopping center nearby.
My daughter lives in Williamsburg, VA and I moved to a condominium there in 2003. VA seems to arrange housing into what we'd formerly have called tracts. The rules and regs in the new development of attractive townhouses I chose are very strict, and accordingly the people there are pretty rigid folks, (they support the rule that unrelated people can't share a bedroom!?!), most are white middle class, and married. The few singles are older women who outlived their mates. Some units are rentals (from $900 to $1100); and William and Mary students (predominantly in law school) are renters, or their parents bought the place for them. Sentara Hospital is nearby and has a new grad program.
The many outlets make shopping great! The CIA's training at Camp Perry happens there. Real estate is quite reasonable. If you end up buying a place within the city boundaries, the real estate taxes are comparatively low, and garbage collection is free. Schools are very good, there. Tourism is the main source of income, and history interests many residents. The docents for the historical area wear costumes from the period when settlers were coming from England in the 1600s. It's funny to see them at the supermarkets, banks and some restaurants, and military uniforms are all over.
Virginia Beach is flat, flat, flat and people there love the ocean. It's very nautical with many beach communities (expensive), and singles and tourists abound. Fabulous shopping is all over the place. The crime rate is higher there, so security is bigtime. I haven't noticed slummy places there, and schools are OK, I hear.
Military installations abound in Hampton, Norfolk (naval base) and the Peninsula.
Ship building is the main industry, but that has slowed considerably with resultant unemployment. Hampton has revitalized its downtown, and Nasa has a museum there but there are districts that aren't as desirable as others, there - many "projects". You don't want to be stranded in the dark in some areas there. I worked in HH with most of my down and out patients living in Hampton.
Newport News rests on its laurels, and has a few community colleges that have good reputations and employ a lot of people. It is the commercial hub of the peninsula between Richmond and Hampton. I couldn't get the directions straight there, as the east side of it is where I thought the west side would be.....
As a Canadian living in CA most of my life, I wasn't prepared for the prejudice in VA of the people with whom I worked and lived. Intellectually I knew it must still be present, but the blatant intolerance and preset expectations took my breath away. There are many Hispanic people who work in jobs no one else wanted, until jobs were at a premium..... Luckily I made a friend of a neighbor who tolerates my intolerance, and I vent at will.
I hope this rambling has been helpful.
It was a warm week actually weather was 38 degree one day and the rest were in the mid 70s', The Ferry is great! I was surprise to see Jamestown was selling New Houses in such a Historic Land and they were reasonable price to. I was just wondering what are the wages for a RN in that Area?
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