Anyone from southern California...comments on relocating to Seattle area

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Hello everyone,

Just wondering if there is anyone here from southern California who recently moved to or is planning on moving to the Seattle area soon. I'll be finishing my last semester of an ADN program in June and taking the boards in July. I plan on working a year, no more than 18 months on a med/surg unit before moving...it's not a matter of if but when. The cost of housing (even if it's coming down) and everything else has and probably will continue to price me out of living in CA and I've always wanted to live in a place with four seasons. :)

So, if you recently moved or planning on moving, can you share some of your insights like how did you plan the relocation, what you did and what you would not do if you had to do it over again. Also, did you have a job offer before moving or did you do the travel RN route and then decided to settled down or just up-and-moved and then looked for something after you got there? All websites (job search, hospitals, recruiters, etc) are welcome...please use PM.

Again, any and all comments, good or bad, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much in advance!

AC

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I just moved from Los Angeles area a few months ago. If you think SoCal is more expensive to live than Seattle area, think again. I was in for a big surprise. You know how you always think you can't pay anymore for car insurance than you already are paying in SoCal? Um, you will pay more. Housing is cheaper, but then again, depends on where you decide to settle down. Prepare to shell out more for produce. That marvelous California climate and a close proximity to Mexico afford a wonderful array of cheap year round supply of fruits and vegetable. Somehow, I am paying more for Washington apples here than I paid for then in Los Angeles. Why? I don't know. Gasoline prices are the same as in SoCal (according to my phone conversations with my mom).

I did not have a job lined up when we moved and I just started to look. Another shocker, prepare to accept a pay cut for up to 40%. Yeah, you read it right. A pay cut. Nurses get paid much less here, at least from what I learned from my job hunting as an RN.

As for 4 seasons, again, depends where you live. If you are higher in the mountains you will have four seasons. Otherwise, I think it more like 2 seasons. Rainy season and Not Too Rainy season. We had snow once this winter, which I was told was typical for this area.

I would suggest you to research the area before you move. If you have children, you area will be greatly influenced by the school district (like in our situation), so the housing will be more expensive. Select the area and send out resumes ahead of time and heave telephone interviews. See what you get. No harm in that. Good luck.

I have to admit one thing though, the area is stunningly beautiful. There is no lying about it. It's just breathtaking.

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I forgot to add, start working on your WA license early. It took me a few months, mostly because of California's verification delay.

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Thanks so much for the info! If you think of anything else, please let me know.

It's getting warm here...mid 80s today...no such thing as spring, I guess.

AC

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