La to hou?

[malonejr]

So need help from hopefully someome who has done this before as I am stuck on what to do. I have been thinking of this for about 2 years but more seriously since April this year.

So im from California, love it here, alot to do, of course the weather etc. But this is more of a job, home and life question. I love the nurse pt ratios here which is one reason I don't want to leave, im a local travler for the most part although have worked in Georgia (6 patients and im not about that life). I know we make good money here but of course COL and im looking to buy a home. Im looking to be staff somewhere early next year, so I can either do that here in California make more, they take out more taxes, can't buy a home unless its far away from la (feels like your living in another state so might as well)  or work in Houston get paid lower, but COL is great, great homes for great prices, no state tax but of course little less to do and bad weather (although I'm not factoring weather  into my decision at all).

the other main difference and reason for the move is because its hard to date here in socal and although I grew up here I have lived in Arkansas and Missouri for some years and you can see a considerable difference in people,  values and dating in general. Im 37 no kids never married, and looking to change that and that won't happen here. 

I could still do travel and do like others and buy a home in Texas but still work in California but im looking to go staff and plant my roots and start a family soon.

I like to be near a big city with sports teams, and things to do at least. And don't like cold weather and I know I can go to places with super low COL like Oklahoma, Louisiana,  Mississippi etc. But no thanks, nothing for me to do there im not a country guy. No disrespect to those who live there, but those places are super cheap for a reason.

I just want a good quality of life and work life. From my research houston isn't bad, although they don't have ratios I hear methodist does (im tele) but unsure of the actual ratio numbers. I chose Houston not Dallas for several reasons but settled on Houston because nurses get paid more, lower COL, better hospitals,  and alot of black professionals there (im African American). 

So anyone who has done this before, what has been your experience? 

Thanks

[Nunya, BSN]

What I would do is call some units on night shift, in the middle of the shift (and not on a weekend obviously)  where things have settled down somewhat unless it's a totally crappy shift, and talk to the nurses there. Start with the charge nurses and if they're busy ask if there's someone who can talk to you.  I would be happy to talk to someone with experience who was looking at coming to my city, heck, even someone without experience!  I worked in Houston for 6 months in 2013, had to leave to help my elderly parents, but it's a great city! I lived there early 80s and have friends there.  Money is good, especially downtown. And I worked NICU and our ratios were good, 2 babies, VERY rarely 3.  And we did self scheduling which was great!