California Nursing

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Specializes in RN.

I just obtained my RN licensure in Michigan. My mom is taking her NCLEX-RN in a month or so as well. We want to obtain a year experience in Michigan, but we are ready to get out. We keep searching good income: housing ratios around the US. Our hearts belong in San Diego, but realistically, what is it like living in SoCal as an RN or RN-BSN? We want to make good money, but also have some extra cash as well. We know Cali is a fairly expensive place to live, which we are prepared for, but it's that living comfortably in a desirable area is key. Looking for opinions from people who know or are currently living it! Thanks.

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If you do a search for "California" on this site, you will find several conversations about pros/cons for relocating to CA. Rent, taxes, gas & general cost of living are incredibly expensive in CA. As an example, I just got a bill for my annual car registration in CA that is over $450 (car is a few years old). Rent prices in CA never fail to shock me.

Many people on this site have recommended taking a travel assignment to try it out before totally relocating.

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3 hours ago, Golden_RN said:

I just got a bill for my annual car registration in CA that is over $450 (car is a few years old). Rent prices in CA never fail to shock me.

How is your registration that expensive? Mine has never been that high.

@Onlykeeks, I agree with Golden_RN: Do a search on All Nurses. There are tons of posts about living and working in California. I have answered many of them, both as an RN and as an NP.

And as for coming to California as an RN, a travel assignment is a great idea.

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On ‎1‎/‎16‎/‎2020 at 6:34 PM, db2xs said:

How is your registration that expensive? Mine has never been that high.

I double checked - $467! It's a pick up truck, a couple years old. Ridiculous!

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On 1/22/2020 at 3:27 PM, Golden_RN said:

I can vouch for this. I'm not at all surprised that a car registration is over $400.

I have a 17 year old car. Yes, 17 years old. When it was new back in 2003, I paid $105 for registration. Now in 2020, it has gone up to $158. Yes......UP not down! Thankfully, I didn't have to smog it this year -- but next year I'll have to pay for that too. And no, I've never been ticketed, never been in trouble, stellar credit, etc. Doesn't matter....California will bilk you for everything you own.

I'm hoping to get the hell out of here in a few years. Oh and I am a native Californian.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Hi! Just wanted to add my two cents to this discussion ? First, let me say I’m originally from NYC so I know high cost of living! That’s why I left NYC, because as a single woman, paying rent on my own there would be just making it with never saving enough to buy a place of my own. So I’m not going back! I lived in Colorado For a few years & COL was great but the winters were pretty rough, so I moved to Long Beach, CA three years ago. COL is not bad here in LB. it’s cheaper than other areas like LA & Orange County. Now yes, many things are more expensive in Cali but you can also save money in other areas. For instance, I never use heat or AC here because the weather is so mild year round! That saves a lot. Also good weather year round means you can use alternative commuting ie bike riding & save on gas. I live in an area where I can walk to the supermarket, restaurants, & I barely use my car. The bus here is decent & is only $1.25 also! So I pay less in car insurance now. The weather & beaches means outdoor exercising all year, many of the parks have stationary exercise equipment. No gym membership necessary! Many ways to save $ here. Comparing Long Beach to NYC, you definitely get more for your money here! Good luck ?

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