Housing woes!

Why do you want to live in California? Is there something truly unique about living in California that you won't get to experience living in Nevada? (Oh, I know, it's CALIFORNIA, but are you anxious to improve your surfing skills, looking to meet movie stars, hoping to rent on the beach? Or is the pull warm, sunny weather which you would also experience in Nevada?)

As far as more space, I'm not sure that I can be real sympathetic there, as I live on a 37 foot sailboat. If space is the only issue, or the main issue, get rid of some stuff. It's only stuff, and most of it is replaceable. Spend more time outdoors, or out of your rental. Sit and write in the local coffee shop instead of your kitchen table, find a local tavern with a big screen TV to watch sports, etc.

If I were you -- and I'm not -- I'd be moving back to Oregon, but that wasn't your question. If there's some reason you really want to live in California, stay in California and make adjustments to your lifestyle, your stuff, your budget. If finances are the big issue, Nevada sounds like a better bet. It's impossible to know for sure which is the best option. So do this -- close your eyes, spin around a few times and then put your finger on the map. Did your finger wind up in California or Nevada? Now pay attention to how you FEEL. Are you relieved about the outcome? Or are you disappointed? If you're relieved, energized or excited GREAT. That's the choice for you. But if you're anxious, disappointed or otherwise feeling negatively about it -- you have the ability to make the other choice.

Good luck either way.

Nevada and Las Vegas wins.

I work per diem in Las Vegas making $60/hr.

Those sunny Southern California beaches are only 3 hours away.

Nevada and Las Vegas wins.

I work per diem in Las Vegas making $60/hr.

Those sunny Southern California beaches are only 3 hours away.

I have to second his perspective. If your tax home is in Vegas you could easily take a job across the Colorado River in Arizona especially during the snowbird season. You got Lake Havasu and Kingman nearby where it cost so much less to live/stay, youre close to home and can drive back to your own house on your days off, and you'll still get the high pay. Without being presumptuous, based on your post it sounds like the quality of living space and recreational preferences is what's making the pay a drag for you

Ruby Vee, I'm sorry to be blunt, but this is terrible advice."just avoid your own home" is simply awful.

Your home should be a place where you take a deep breath and think "I can relax now." Work, relationships, and life in general are stressful enough without having housing issues. It's the only place where you're guaranteed privacy, naps, and a place to recuperate from seasonal cold bugs. Coming home to be even more stressed out? Terrible

Paying a bunch of money every month on rent, just to avoid relaxing there? Waste of money

If you can't rely on your home to offer you those things, you aren't guaranteed to find them at Starbucks.

I feel ya on the cost of living, which is why I stayed in Vegas after graduating nursing school. I'm paying 800 per month for a 2 bd/2 ba condo and I make pretty much what they would pay someone in SoCal. If you can manage it, I would have your home in Vegas and travel to CA. That way you can keep your tax-home in Nevada and travel where you need to

Thank you so much for all of the replies!!!

Yes, I am still going back and forth on this :-) Ruby Vee, I honestly loved your response - but I must say, that I am an introvert. So the one rebuttal I have to your advice, is that I don't love the busyness of a coffee shop, and watching TV at a local tavern sounds exhausting to me. I really do need my quiet, recharge time ... alone ... away from the world :-) I think, Mariah Lily - you definitely touched on this with your comment about home being a place of guaranteed privacy and naps. I do love my introvert time.

I am definitely trying to live my best life :-) And there is something so wonderful about the Southern California culture. I am an avid runner, and the running clubs here are really more connective than anything I found in Las Vegas. Although I DO sincerely LOVE Las Vegas ... there is an earthy, hippie vibe here in SoCal that I love and connect with.

I don't see returning to Oregon (my beautiful Oregon!!!) as an option because honestly ... I'm totally done with the rain. Give me some sunshine! I'm happy to visit Oregon - but I don't want to live there.

I also really appreciate the gardening culture in SoCal ... I didn't find this in Las Vegas. Vegas is a wonderful desert environment with its own fantastic desert climate - but I have a hydrangea here in California :-) That sounds so silly - but I simply love the snails and interesting, fertile climate here - with the BEST farmer's markets! I just didn't find the farmer's markets as satisfying in Vegas.

And as GREAT as First Friday is in Vegas ... it's just nothing like Portland Saturday Market! SoCal has the perfect blend for me of all that is AWESOME about Las Vegas (sunshine!) and all that is awesome about Oregon (earthy, hippie, garden vibe).

But I seriously hate the housing costs around here! :-) Trade-offs!!!

Oh man ... I am so cramped in my short-term rental. I have a WONDERFUL roommate - but I need more SPACE!!!

Here is my dilemma ...

I am a travel RN in Southern California. Housing is CRAZY EXPENSIVE HERE! I am going to begin an online Nurse Practitioner program in February ...

I am licensed in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Nevada is my "tax home" right now.

The wages in Nevada for ER RN are around the same as what they are in Southern Cali -- about $45/hour.

But the HOUSING ... THE HOUSING!!! It's about double here in SoCal. A $1200 one-bedroom apartment in Las Vegas will cost me $1600 to $1800 here!!!

And the income tax!!!!

I guess I am wondering if I should stay in California ... get a lease and a full-time job here ... call California home ... or go back to Nevada. I can make the same amount of $$ in Nevada as an RN - pay way less in rent and way less in income tax (there is NO INCOME TAX in NEVADA!!!)

Fiscally - it makes so much more sense for me to go back to Nevada.

But ... I guess I want the experience of living in California :-) It's not always just about the bottom line, you know? Just not sure if these crazy living expenses are worth it!!! Between housing and income taxes ... it's about $700 per month MORE to live here! That's just a lot, you know?

Yes, it is a dilemma. I've never been to Nevada. Personally, I wouldn't live in earthquake country and sweltering heat. But that's me.

I've never been to Nevada. Personally, I wouldn't live in earthquake country and sweltering heat.

The Las Vegas area is not particularly prone to earthquakes or at high risk. That would be the Reno region. However, in Reno, you don't have sweltering heat. And the dry heat in Las Vegas is very preferable to all of the South.

I am a native Californian who moved over a decade ago to TN so I could afford a home, so I totally get this. Plus I am also looking to travel. One other thing I don't miss is the CRAZY horrid traffic...Are you sure you want to deal with that mess, LOL? I am also looking to travel at some point...One place in Cali. that has a great hippie Vibe is either Arcata or Eureka. If you can get an assignment there, check it out! If you like it enough, it's still very affordable, but small town!