Is Cali a good state for Nurses?

Sheri257 · Jun 21, 2006

The reason you hear California treats their nurses well is because we have the ratio law. Unlike other states, they can't give you more than five patients. IMHO, that's the number one reason to work in California, besides the fact that the job opportunities are endless.

As for the cost of living, it depends on where you want to live. Development in the state is pushing inland to cheaper areas where the cost of living is lower. So, you can do quite well in those areas, although some people don't like living further inland.

If your heart is set on the coastal areas then the cost of living is much higher. But, if you rent an apartment then the cost of living is more manageable. However, if you want to buy a house then, that's definitely more difficult in the coastal areas ... although housing prices are finally starting to fall.

It all depends on which area of the state you're interested in. Wages, cost of living, etc. can vary widely within a 30 mile radius so maybe you could make a trip out here to check it out for yourself.

:typing

fergus51 · Jun 21, 2006

I live in an expensive area, but I rent so the cost of living isn't a big issue for me. My rent is less than $1100 a month for a one bedroom across from the beach (2 bedrooms go for $14-$1500 in my complex). My pay more than makes up for the cost of my rent. I have never been able to save more money than I have since I've moved out here. Within a year and a half I had payed off my student loan and credit card debt (totalling about $18K).

I think where people are hurt by cost of living is if they want to buy a house in an expensive area. If you are willing to rent, buy a condo or live in a cheaper area the cost of living isn't such a problem. I don't regret moving here for a second. I originally planned on staying only until my loan was paid off, but it's been 2 years and I have no immediate plans on moving. That's saying a lot for someone who hasn't lived in the same place for more than 2 years since finishing university!

rninme · Jun 21, 2006

I'm not sure about CA...but the upper east coast isn't too shabby!! I'm paid a heck of alot more here than I was in the midwest. Some of the prices that people are getting for their houses here is.......crazy!! But, I live on the coast....further inland, prices are ok.

We were thinking about moving to Florida...but, from what I am reading on here....I think we'll stay put!!! Great employer, good pay, beautiful scenery...and lots of SNOW:lol2: in the winter!!

Sheri257 · Jun 21, 2006

I have never been able to save more money than I have since I've moved out here.

Same here. I've lived in several places both in the south and the east coast and I've never done better financially than I have in California.

California does have a lot of problems, and everybody loves to complain about the cost of living. It's like the ongoing doomsday scenario.

But you gotta wonder: if there's all of these utopian places which cost less why aren't more people moving there in droves and leaving California? Obviously some of them do but, there's just as many if not more who love California. Otherwise ... the cost of living in California would drop, not increase like it has ...

My husband is a native Californian and he's been hearing this stuff for decades now. He's still waiting for everybody to leave ... since it's supposedly so horrible here. :chuckle

Personally, I've lived in those cheaper places and the job opportunities and money were a lot less. Sometimes you gotta remember that there's a reason some places are cheap.

San Francisco, for example, does cost an arm and a leg ... but it's San Francisco, for crying out loud. The most gorgeous, wonderful place on the planet. If I could afford to live there, I would ... gotta win that lottery some day.

JennyAS, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2006

Thanks so much, everyone. This really helps! I was really starting to worry that Cali wouldn't be a good place for me, but I'm such a Cali girl at heart. Thanks, again!

fergus51 · Jun 21, 2006

My husband is a native Californian and he's been hearing this stuff for decades now. He's still waiting for everybody to leave ... since it's supposedly so horrible here. :chuckle

I wish they would leave. It would improve traffic for people like me who actually like it here. :lol2:

Sheri257 · Jun 22, 2006

I wish they would leave. It would improve traffic for people like me who actually like it here.

Yeah ... maybe we should tell people how horrible California is every time somebody posts a thread about moving here. On the other hand, there's plenty of California bashing on this board as it is.

Although traffic was really great the day the illegals did their protest thing ...

Ah, but that's another topic.