Job opportunity in CA vs. other states

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2007

I am a native Californian who moved to Texas about a year and a half ago, immediately after completing an LVN program in Southern California.

To be more specific, I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The LVN jobs are rather plentiful here. In addition, they pay rather well when you take into consideration the low cost of living in Texas. I know you can earn $27 hourly as a Northern California LVN, but your money won't go very far with the high cost of living.

The average LVN pay rates here are $18 to $23 hourly. Gas is cheaper, at about $2.55 per gallon. I live in a brand new, 1,900 square foot home in a desirable part of town that cost $104,000. The same house in the Bay Area would cost about $800,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the area (for instance, Burlingame is pricier than Oakland). The people here tend to be friendly, too.

BigB · Apr 5, 2007

I am the opposite of you. I spent for 4 years in Abilene, TX during the Air Force before moving back to California as fast as I could. The bay area is far more expensive than my area which is the sacramento valley. I recently bought a 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1600 sq feet house for $280,000. This is low to average for this area. The Texas enviornment was too brown and flat for my tastes. I need green and the option of having ocean to my left, and mountains to my right (both within 90 minutes) makes this area beautiful.

I sounds like there are more options in Texas though.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2007

The Texas enviornment was too brown and flat for my tastes. I need green and the option of having ocean to my left, and mountains to my right (both within 90 minutes) makes this area beautiful.

You were in West Texas, which explains why you saw nothing but brown flats.

I am in Dallas-Fort Worth, which is in the middle of the prairie. It is beautiful during this time of the year because the grasses are emerald green and filled with bluebonnet flowers. In addition, this metro area has 6 million people, which results in many LVN job opportunities.

Sensoria17 · Apr 5, 2007

I am the opposite of you. I spent for 4 years in Abilene, TX during the Air Force before moving back to California as fast as I could. The bay area is far more expensive than my area which is the sacramento valley. I recently bought a 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1600 sq feet house for $280,000. This is low to average for this area. The Texas enviornment was too brown and flat for my tastes. I need green and the option of having ocean to my left, and mountains to my right (both within 90 minutes) makes this area beautiful.
I sounds like there are more options in Texas though.

I was thinking about Sacramento as well. It just seems quieter (and much cheaper) compared to the Bay Area. They don't seem to have much though in the way of LVN schools, though. I don't have time to play the waiting game to see if I can get into a community college so I'm going the private route.

Texas is out of the question but only because of the heat. I just about died last summer when we had a 2-week heat wave. I can deal with cold much better than heat.:)

My main concern is the availability of jobs. As mentioned in another thread, they seem to be starting more and more LVN programs around here and that will impact my job hunt when the time comes.

BigB · Apr 6, 2007

There will always be jobs in LTC for LVN's. Sacramento has about 4 places to taken your LVN. From community colleges to adult ed to private school. Cost can range from $1,000 - $25,000. I went the adult ed route and it was part time and I loved it!