I've noticed people mentioning a lower cost of living in NC. We're evaluating job offers now, but we were wondering if someone would be willing to elaborate a bit on the lower costs associated with NC? For instance:
Our rent for an 850 sq. ft. apartment in a nice area is about $800+ a month.
Our electricity during the hotter summer months can go from $100-150/mo.
Our groceries for 2 weeks for 2 people tends to be about $75/wk.
Our gas for a 12 gallon tank car (standard economy car) is $35 or so.
We have no state income tax.
Nurses start here at about $19/hr plus diffs right out of school.
We don't have a home or any property taxes associated with that, so I don't necessarily mean real estate costs, aside from renting (for the time being).
Any takers? Basically, we live off of about 60K for two people with no children, but we're far from living high on the hog or anything. It's expensive to live here! And that's with no state income tax! Plus, forget about buying a house. I realize that the pay per hour may stay similar to what I'm making now, but what about all of the other stuff? Just trying to prepare as much as possible. That 60K is also working at LEAST one OT shift every pay period, sometimes two per pay period. That basically keeps us afloat (the OT is killing me!) but doesn't afford us any real luxuries or anything.
I was also wondering about agency work or per diem work in NC- is there much market for agency nursing in the larger areas? If a job advertises 36/hr week work weeks, does that get you by on your salary, or do you need to pick up OT or extra shifts?
