Working in Ca, living in another state

U.S.A. California

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Hi all,

So i've been offered a dream staff position in an ICU at UCSF but my family can't move yet. I am considering flying in for my three shifts and then flying home. Is anyone else doing this currently or previously and do you have any advice?

Thank you

Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

The cost of commuting and temporary housing alone should be a deal killer.

Specializes in ICU.

A question I think we all want to know is exactly how long are you doing this? A month, 3 months or 6 months?

I have known travelers to do this for short term strikes that paid really well, but you get travel reimbursement and non-taxed per-diem. You'll be paying California taxes on your whole salary even though you have a tax home out of state (you do get to deduct travel and housing on your taxes).

I used to work with a guy who drove into town from 4 hours away because the pay was so much better in TX. But he would work 6 on and 8 off to save on travel costs. If you decide to do it, that would be something to concider.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

The only people I know who have done it are per diem. They would fly out once a month to UC Davis and do 5 days in a row and fly back to Southern California they were also only working to keep their foot in the door....they made millions in google. If you are staff there is no guarantee you will get your shifts 3 in a row. Plus having to fly there and back 4x a month and even getting a hotel room will kill that income. Sacramento is much more affordable with similar wages if that's what you are looking for. It's very hot though.

The people I have known to do something like that have been in per diem positions and have some family/friends they can stay with while in California. Also think about mandatory meetings or education that you must attend in person. If you can do it per diem first this would be a way to test it out before uprooting your family.

It may seem like a dream staff position, but it certainly won't be a dream when the cost of living hits you. Trust me, I just moved out of SF and CA altogether because it is too expensive to live there, even with the pay rates being decent.

Me and my husband are thinking of moving to Santa Barbara from South Carolina, for a better lifestyle change, etc! With a nursing job in one of the hospitals there, will it be too expensive for us?

Were you brought up in Cali?

Me and my husband are thinking of moving to Santa Barbara from South Carolina, for a better lifestyle change, etc! With a nursing job in one of the hospitals there, will it be too expensive for us?

Were you brought up in Cali?

Santa Barbara is expensive too. Think 2k for a 1bedroom apartment! Oh and the whole Santa Baraba county don't have a target lol. Just a not so fun fact. Lived there for about 2yrs

Santa Barbara is expensive too. Think 2k for a 1bedroom apartment! Oh and the whole Santa Baraba county don't have a target lol. Just a not so fun fact. Lived there for about 2yrs

Hi Berryjelly,

My husband and I were going to buy property there from an inheritance I gained.

So, is it that renting and cost of living there is way to expensive with a job in critical care nursing? Or do you mean, the whole lot, even if we own property there?

Thanks1

Hi Berryjelly,

My husband and I were going to buy property there from an inheritance I gained.

So, is it that renting and cost of living there is way to expensive with a job in critical care nursing? Or do you mean, the whole lot, even if we own property there?

Thanks1

We have doctor friends that bought a house outside Santa Barbara (Goleta to be exact) because properties and renting there are just expensive in general because it's a "beach city". Especially if you want a backyard it can and will be very expensive. Cottage Hospital pays well but still won't be enough for cost of living if you want to live IN sunny SB.

:)

We have doctor friends that bought a house outside Santa Barbara (Goleta to be exact) because properties and renting there are just expensive in general because it's a "beach city". Especially if you want a backyard it can and will be very expensive. Cottage Hospital pays well but still won't be enough for cost of living if you want to live IN sunny SB.

:)

Thanks... dreams shattered!

The Pay is Sweet. For a full time position at UCSF (40 hours a week and/or three 12s). I'm guesstimating, at least over 140K annually if you have more than enough experience.

It is true that SF is a very expensive place to live in. But you don't really have to "live inside and within the City", where it truly is expensive!

Basic commodities in the Bay Area cost about the same: gas prices, milk, food, clothing etc. Sure, one will say, traffic/parking can be a challenge but the public transportation is a great option. Rent an in-law or a room outside of the city and you can find one for a little less than $1,000.

I say go for it!!! What do you really have to lose if you try it?! :up:

Specializes in ICU.
The Pay is Sweet. For a full time position at UCSF (40 hours a week and/or three 12s). I'm guesstimating, at least over 140K annually if you have more than enough experience.

It is true that SF is a very expensive place to live in. But you don't really have to "live inside and within the City", where it truly is expensive!

Basic commodities in the Bay Area cost about the same: gas prices, milk, food, clothing etc. Sure, one will say, traffic/parking can be a challenge but the public transportation is a great option. Rent an in-law or a room outside of the city and you can find one for a little less than $1,000.

I say go for it!!! What do you really have to lose if you try it?! :up:

So Fly in and out...Then have a long commute to work everyday to save addtl money. What inlaw suites are you referring too because all the typical ANB & CL are not 1k. Rooms for rent in the bay area are 1300-2k furnished some including utilities or an addtl split. Using the Bart I suggest living in San Fran as oppose to living in Oakland or Berkley. You don't know until you try right.

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