I'm a FL RN, Tell me why I should move to TX, particularly Houston.

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FL RN for 3 years now. I have a contract here in South West, FL that will be over by the end of 2009. My husband and I are thinking about moving to Houston, TX. We currently rent and want to buy a house in 2-3 years. Should we stay or should we go?

What do you love about Texas? Houston, TX?

Your input is valued! :up:

dona

It's not humid. And you don't get over-run with snowbirds, which we get back here in upstate NY when the weather gets warm again.

;)

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Specializes in NICU Level III.
It's not humid. And you don't get over-run with snowbirds, which we get back here in upstate NY when the weather gets warm again.

;)

Not humid? Are you sure you're talking about Houston, TEXAS? My gosh, it's almost suffocating some days. It's the worst thing about Houston in my opinion. I always have a good hair day until I walk outside..then my hair frizzes out and my glasses fog up!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
It's not humid. And you don't get over-run with snowbirds, which we get back here in upstate NY when the weather gets warm again.

;)

Uh, Houston has 90 percent humidity on the typical summer day. It is the humid, hot, sweaty armpit of Texas.
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Well. Never mind.

;)

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
And you don't get over-run with snowbirds, which we get back here in upstate NY when the weather gets warm again.

;)

Here in the Rio Grande Valley, our population doubles from about October till about April or May, due to 100s of 1000s of "winter texans", aka snowbirds. The locals call it the "whitening of the valley".

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Here in the Rio Grande Valley, our population doubles from about October till about April or May, due to 100s of 1000s of "winter texans", aka snowbirds. The locals call it the "whitening of the valley".

:)

Ours doubles over the summer.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
:)

Ours doubles over the summer.

I wondered where they went. :chuckle

*rushes out to PF Chang's while I can still get a table - it's almost October!*

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

Well, I was born and raised here so I am biased ;). I love Texas. I am West of Houston and we are growing. Methodist, St Luke's and Texas Children's are breaking ground in this area. Traffic is minimal for me. If you want to go to the Medical Center we have bus service. I am at a small hospital (100 bed) but am looking forward to the competition coming- let the salary wars begin!

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I moved from Daytona Beach, Fl to Houston, TX and it was the best thing I did!! Pay was a HUGE motivater, the city's "personality," and so was family.

Reason number one: I was a 14 year LPN to GN in Florida and got stuck in the "no matter how much nursing experience you have, you are, still, a new grad" and my pay would go up $1.50. That wouldn't even cover the cost of my loans!

Well, during the housing boom, our rent-to buy-home went from $180k to $360K in two years. Obviously, out of proprotion to wages.

Reason number 2: I don't know if you are familiar with the demographics of Volusia county, but the majority of people are from NY or NJ and if you're from the midwest--like me--they'll chew you up and spit you out.

Humor is non-existant, no such thing as customer service, and the quality of nurses who WANTED to be a nurse were few and far inbetween. People went into nursing because it was a better wage earner and that, IMO, makes for a pi## poor nurse.

I, actually, went on interviews where the docs were insistant of "being on time so that they can enjoy their toys." NO LIE!. One doc said that my ambition, to succeed, was too much for his office!! OUCH! I guess he did me a favor!

So, when I moved here, I called my husband and gave him "good samaritan" reports because I totally forgot, in the 3 years I lived in Fl, what kindness was. I cried because a clerk at the register actually TALKED to me!

The last reason is obvious, I had a sister who has lived here for over 15 years.

I've been in Houston for 2 years as an RN and make over twice as much as I would've in FL. I started out only $8 more and hr, but played the "salary game" as I call it, and am now extremely happy in my job.

I don't know what motivates you, but mine was $ : cost of living and people.

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I am a former Houston resident-lived their for nearly 15 years. Moved to the desert of west Texas to be close to family that has since died. I would move back in a heartbeat except for two reasons. 1. I married a small town girl who is basically scared to death of the big city and just hates any town larger than about 100K. 2. I lucked into what is probibly the greatest job I could find. Actually, the job is just OK, but the people I work with are the greatest!

In Houston you can find just about any demographic or lifestyle you want. Ther are areas with a large jewish community, Korean community, liberal communites, the "artsy" crowd, the "red necks", just about anything you want. You can drive 2 hours and be in the hill country bass fishing or hunting, rafting or boating. Go the other direction and you have a hugh sailing and beach lifestyle.

I have only two suggestions: come to town and talk to the relocation folks at the chamber of commerce and the tourism board and a realestate agent at a BIG firm. They can best find out about your lifestyle and your wishes and lead you in what part of town you would be happiest, (remember-the "greater Houston area" is in the neighborhood of 60-75 miles across.)

My other suggestion is to talk to your tax guy and find a good place to park your home equity. Then rent a place for the first 6 months to a year. This will allow you to try the jobs, learn about the city and be sure where you want to be before you tie yourself to a new house.

The Houston area is a really great place to live. You can find any kind of work you want and just about any lifestyle you want. I highly recommend it.

By the way, we are planning to relocate in 2 years, (I am going back to school yet again) to a town of 36K and live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains-just about the only thing that Houston does not have to offer!

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3 words: Houston medical center! It's the best place in the country and it's top pay for nurses! But there are hospitals all over the city and surrounding cities as well that are great! I'm from Fl and although I miss the beach :( I have to say it's way less expensive here than in miami. You'll get more for your pay and can actually enjoy the profits of your hard work!

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Houston is great! We have big hearts and take pride in the work we do. I have lived in Houston long enough to raise 2 kids and work my way into a dream job in a word class specialty hospital in the Houston Med Center. There is ample opportunity to grow and do well.

Summers are hot and humid, not my favorite, but Fall, Winter and Spring are lovely. If you like to garden it is a great place to grow a huge variety of flowers and vegetables. Galveston is close if you want a little beach, and there is so much to offer you never have to drive far to get what you want. Like any place, and life, it is what you make it. Good luck!

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