OK so I'm looking on craigslist at rentals, and I actually have found even a couple of affordable houses for rent...but I don't know where the good versus not so good areas are...for example is ventura bad? They have tons of rentals in that area..that and oxnard etc..."moorpark" and so on... Even on the beach..what is up with it..why are they reasonable? where is the catch?
Problem is according to mapquest it's 60 miles from where I have a job offer. Not good. So then - if it's a decent area, what hospitals are a decent drive from there?
It is very difficult not being there or knowing what it's like! If anyone cares to offer some knowledge that would be great! PM me...if you would so that I don't miss it! Thanks!
When considering where to live in LA in relation to your work site, its not a simple matter. Here are the considerations: 1) what is the time of day you will be on the road? If for example, its 6 am and then 7:30 pm, you will do better with traffic in ALL directions (until it gets near 7 am) and may have a wider choice of areas in which to live. 2) You need to consider not only distance, but direction of home to worksite for some areas. For example, it is better to live WEST of your work in some areas and EAST of your work in others. 3) You will want to consider the location of your home relative to the freeways, if you need to get on them. A busy morning of stoplights when you are 8 miles from a freeway can translate easily into 35 minutes of just trying to GET to a freeway! and 4) You need to know that almost all cities in CA have good and bad areas and they really can't be classified by simply saying 'that's a good city' to live in.
Best advice to anyone considering moving to CA from out of state, or to LA or San Diego or other popular regions, from the outlying desert or northern areas: speak to someone at the hospital, perhaps in the recruiting department, and ask them about what is a reasonable outlying distance from which to commute, and in what direction traffic is best, as well as recommended cities in which to look! (Wouldn't hurt to followup by asking two additional questions: where do people have the most luck in finding places to rent when relocating for a job with them, and what specific areas do they recommend you stay AWAY from, even if they are somewhat close to the hospital. Also, do they have any 'inside' postings or home listings in the hospital or inhouse newsletters or referrals to anyone who helps future employees with home searches.)
Here's my story: I was living in Ventura over the summer and commuting to UCLA (I did a summer externship at the hospital - it was fabulous!). There were days that were better/worse than others, but all in all it was not a terrible commute except that it was long. I lived right off the 101 freeway and I took it to the 405 and got off at Wilshire. Going to work, whether I was working days or nights, was not a problem. I averaged about an hour to get there, sometimes even a little less! Now, no matter what time you go back, the traffic is not good. Normal time to drive home was about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
The apartment in Ventura was very affordable and clean, even though the kitchen and bathrooms needed updating. I was there with my boyfriend, and we paid $1050 for the apartment (2 bed, 2 bath, about 900-1000 sq ft.). It can be affordable in Ventura County, and most of the areas are pretty decent (stay away from certain areas in Oxnard but the rest is good to go). You just have to be able to tolerate the drive. It does get old, but I'm so used to commuting that it really doesn't bother me. I figure I'll only have to do it three days a week (and if you work on weekends it's wonderful....NO traffic!) and I really want to be a part of UCLA since they offered me a new grad position in my chosen area. Small tradeoff for me.
Thanks for the info all! Yes it won't be a "small" thing will it, should I go for it! Well there are many hospitals there and I have only applied at one. But, it sounds like just about everywhere the traffic is still really heavy...
Good point about the weekend thing! And yeah don't most of the hospitals require every other weekend? They do here, I expected they did there...so in actuality then the traffic I'd only have to deal with...lets see... hm... 3 days a week one week...and then only 1 day the next alternating.... not as bad I guess...not fun...but not bad lol. I just need someone to talk to on my cellphone during that time lol.
UCLA requires four weekend shifts per month. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights (as well as Saturday and Sunday days) are all considered weekend shifts. I can only assume that other L.A. hospitals have a similar requirement.
And just FYI - the Governator recently signed a bill banning hand-held cell phone use beginning July 2008. Get out your earpiece! :wink2:
I'm going to be the wet blanket. Why in the world do you want to move to CA? Especially to a major city as LA? Have you ever been here to visit? I was born and raised in LA and am currently living in the Inland Empire. It is plain overcrowded. There is practically NO optimal time to drive on the freeways or the city streets. I have to drive the 91fwy which has also been unoffically named the worlds largest continious parking lot! You MUST like driving if you are not living within a few miles of your job. You also need to consider the COST of living here. Gas alone for your car is about 30-50 cents a gallon more than the other states. Also not just the housing rental rates - but more importantly is where are your children going to go to school? Be very selective in the communities that you will live. CA education is in the toilet. There are very good public schools- but you have to find them. The school system in so overcrowded that many are on a year-round schedule. Childcare is very expensive. There should be only 1 reason to make such a big move is because whatever field/speciality of nursing you want to get into is only available in the big cities. I would strongly advise that you contact the facility that you want to work at, talk to the employess that work there and then come and visit for a week or two. Forget visiting the sights. Drive during traffic, check out the various neighborhoods at different times of the day, check out the schools for the areas you are considering moving to. Yes southern CA is a beautiful place and the weather is great- BUT depending on your ability to handle the everyday stress of living in such a crowded enviroment is more important. "have you ever gone to a big mall and driven around and around for an hour looking for just 1 parking space?" You will here.
Sorry for the rant - but I have witnessed this beautiful area changing and IMHO it is NOT for the better.
:smackingf just re-read your post. You have lived in So CA before. WELL you are in for a shocker. I have family that live in the north county SD area and it has EXPLODED in growth-you will not recognize it at all after 12 years. If you recall the traffic as being bad back then-double it now! I wish you the best.
Its funny to read all the bad views of California. If it was as bad as everyone said it is then no one would live htere. But it keeps getting bigger and bigger with more people moving there... so there must be something good going on out there. Otherewise everyone would just leave.
i live here and can't wait to leave. yes it is beautiful and the weather is great- but there are way too many people. and what good is great weather if the air is toxic?
The city of Los Angeles is being renovated with many areas of downtown being turned into nice condos, studios and apts. This isn't that far from Bev Hills and these areas are Nice and safe ( not skid row). Someone living in the city should be able to give you more info.
Well thanks again everyone for the input. Yep, I am aware of the crowds, it was crowded before, I imagine it's still crowded now. No place is perfect..give and take everywhere ... and of course I wouldn't move somewhere without checking it out :) The thing about asking questions is...it is such a laaarge area...that sometimes having people with experience in those areas to which I will be investigating in the near future...are helpful. Yes, air can be toxic...and if you look up WA state you will NOT find listings for toxic air however... from what I have heard seattle is getting quite bad that way... also, I live in a smaller area...in a valley and they spray so much pesticide all year long..no wonder there are such high cancer rates here.... no place is perfect. I am just looking for facts about living in the areas...and commutes, etc etc before I go myself to investigate.
Not good. So then - if it's a decent area, what hospitals are a decent drive from there?
I'm going to be the wet blanket. Why in the world do you want to move to CA? Especially to a major city as LA? Have you ever been here to visit? I was born and raised in LA and am currently living in the Inland Empire. It is plain overcrowded. There is practically NO optimal time to drive on the freeways or the city streets. I have to drive the 91fwy which has also been unoffically named the worlds largest continious parking lot! You MUST like driving if you are not living within a few miles of your job. You also need to consider the COST of living here. Gas alone for your car is about 30-50 cents a gallon more than the other states. Also not just the housing rental rates - but more importantly is where are your children going to go to school? Be very selective in the communities that you will live. CA education is in the toilet. There are very good public schools- but you have to find them. The school system in so overcrowded that many are on a year-round schedule. Childcare is very expensive. There should be only 1 reason to make such a big move is because whatever field/speciality of nursing you want to get into is only available in the big cities. I would strongly advise that you contact the facility that you want to work at, talk to the employess that work there and then come and visit for a week or two. Forget visiting the sights. Drive during traffic, check out the various neighborhoods at different times of the day, check out the schools for the areas you are considering moving to. Yes southern CA is a beautiful place and the weather is great- BUT depending on your ability to handle the everyday stress of living in such a crowded enviroment is more important. "have you ever gone to a big mall and driven around and around for an hour looking for just 1 parking space?" You will here.
I am just looking for facts about living in the areas...and commutes, etc etc before I go myself to investigate.
RebeccaJeanRN
274 Posts
When considering where to live in LA in relation to your work site, its not a simple matter. Here are the considerations: 1) what is the time of day you will be on the road? If for example, its 6 am and then 7:30 pm, you will do better with traffic in ALL directions (until it gets near 7 am) and may have a wider choice of areas in which to live. 2) You need to consider not only distance, but direction of home to worksite for some areas. For example, it is better to live WEST of your work in some areas and EAST of your work in others. 3) You will want to consider the location of your home relative to the freeways, if you need to get on them. A busy morning of stoplights when you are 8 miles from a freeway can translate easily into 35 minutes of just trying to GET to a freeway! and 4) You need to know that almost all cities in CA have good and bad areas and they really can't be classified by simply saying 'that's a good city' to live in.
Best advice to anyone considering moving to CA from out of state, or to LA or San Diego or other popular regions, from the outlying desert or northern areas: speak to someone at the hospital, perhaps in the recruiting department, and ask them about what is a reasonable outlying distance from which to commute, and in what direction traffic is best, as well as recommended cities in which to look! (Wouldn't hurt to followup by asking two additional questions: where do people have the most luck in finding places to rent when relocating for a job with them, and what specific areas do they recommend you stay AWAY from, even if they are somewhat close to the hospital. Also, do they have any 'inside' postings or home listings in the hospital or inhouse newsletters or referrals to anyone who helps future employees with home searches.)
Hope this helps!