Belleville

Here is a helpful link to let you know about Belleville, Illinois:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Belleville-Illinois.html

I can't give you much information regarding RN pay since I still in nursing school. Hopefully someone else here can give you a better idea about that.

I live just outside of Belleville in Shiloh. I work in St. Louis so I can't really comment on the pay scales at Memorial or St. Elizabeth's hospitals. (The ones here in Belleville). I can tell you about the commute to STL though

I live just outside of Belleville in Shiloh. I work in St. Louis so I can't really comment on the pay scales at Memorial or St. Elizabeth's hospitals. (The ones here in Belleville). I can tell you about the commute to STL though

whats the commute like? how is the transport down that way?

The commute really depends on what time you leave, what time you come home, and where you work. I work in "midtown" and for my 7am shift I leave here no later than 6:10. (But I like to be about 10 mins early). Right now we're in construction season so it seems like just about every road is torn up. You get used to it, but it doesn't make it any less annoying when at 8pm you're trying to get home and have hit night construction. It really depends too on where you work. We do have a metrolink set-up and some of the hospitals are close to that. I could possibly ride the train over, but it would let me off about 3/4 of a mile or so from where I work and it isn't an area of town that you'd want to be hanging around in or walking alone. I hope this helps. If you want more specific information let me know. :wink2:

not sure if id want to live in belleville. any other areas nearby that are nice and safe and easy commutting distance??

I live in Shiloh and the area is really nice, quiet and safe. Other places to look would be O'Fallon, Millstadt, Lebanon, Troy, and Breese/Aviston but it also depends on where you want to work. Some of those towns, Breese for example, would be about an hour commute to the major hospitals in St. Louis.

Curlysin:

Are you intent on living in Illinois? If not, St. Louis is a very lovely town with many nice areas to choose from.

I will add that the majority of people who work in the metropolitan St. Louis area do have a commute to work. I live about 30 miles from downtown (in Missouri) and commuted for 6 years during the regular rush hour (about 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.)....it's not pleasant, but it's doable. Working as a nurse, you will have a choice of schedules so may be able to avoid much of this.

The biggest problem coming from the Illinois side of the river will be that you have to get across using a bridge. That's usually where a lot of the traffic problems come in, particularly if there is construction, an accident, or some other situation that causes a closure of a lane or two or the whole bridge. It's just a fact of life here. That being said, there are a multitude of hospitals to choose from. St. Louis (and surrounding areas) are really quite lovely; I'm originally from southern California and other than missing my family, haven't regretted our move for a minute.

Best wishes!!