Moved to NY from somewhere else?

laynaER · Jun 2, 2010

LIving in NYC is extremely expensive, especially if you want to live in manhattan. In manhattan, a studio will run nearly $2,000/per month. You may want to live in the outer boroughs (brooklyn, queens, bronx, staten island [but it's really far from the city]) Even the outer boroughs are expensive as heck. A one bedroom will be near $1200 a month, and don't expect any space. The rooms are as big as a closet (i'm exaggerating but you get the point, hehe)

Can you make it alone on a nurse's salary after taxes? Sure. But you'd have to be extremely wise with your money and learn to save.

Job market wise? NY is dried up and completely saturated with new grads as well as experienced nurses. The healthcare system in NY as far as finances go are being stretched beyond capacity, many hospitals are in bad financial situations and are laying off employees. 3 major hospitals have closed within the past 2 years with the most recent being a couple of weeks ago. It is extremely difficult to land a job in NY, even though you may have a year experience it may be slightly easier but don't expect a job right away.

I believe the situation may be better upstate NY but that's not typically the area people have in mind when they say they want to move to NY.

Knowing what I know now, if I lived in another state, I wouldn't rush to move to NY. At all. It's expensive and there isn't a lot of jobs to go around for nurses. Competition is fierce and it's not about what you know, it's who you know.

Good luck.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jun 5, 2010

I agree with LaynaER.

Having lived and worked in Manhattan for 3 years now, I've seen several hospitals close, waiting lists for new grads seeking jobs fill up, and now the market has been flooded with 700 experienced nurses after St Vincent's closed recently.

I pay over $2000 a month for my tiny studio. You can find cheaper places, but they usually involve a long commute, and sometimes sketchy areas. My salary is pretty good, but after federal, state, and city tax PLUS sales tax, there isn't much left to play with.

My advice is to wait until the economy picks up, or move to a smaller city that can offer more for less $$.

NYC isn't all it's cracked up to be.

tcunurse4 · Jun 6, 2010

I moved to Long Island, NY after I had 2 years experience (I am originally from Texas, too!). The cost of living is shockingly higher than Texas', but so is the RN salary. My lifestyle has not changed one bit (I am spending more money, but I also have more money, so it all equalizes out). I had no problem getting a job--I only applied and interviewed at one place, actually. You would do just fine here.

If you want to move to Manhattan, I recommend getting a travel nurse job where your housing will be provided for you. A friend of mine did this--she had a tiny studio apartment, but it was free!

laynaER · Jun 7, 2010

tcunurse, how long ago did you move to long island? Because I find that a lot of experienced nurses and people who already have jobs seem to be pretty out of touch with how terrible the job market is. Which makes sense b/c If you've never had to struggle for a job/got one easily/have been in your position for a couple of years then you don't really have a firm grasp on the dire situation as as far jobs are concerned. :-/

tcunurse4 · Jun 7, 2010

I moved to LI 4 years ago.

Peds4LifeRN · Jun 8, 2010

I just moved to New York last September. I've been a nurse since 2007. Last spring/summer I attempted whole-heartedly to get travel nursing assignments in New York, with no luck at all. In a dire attempt to move to New York, I opened my mind a bit when I found a job on craigslist for a pediatric private duty nurse. At first, I thought I would never work home care, but I actually really enjoy my job. It's fine for now, but eventually, I would like to go back to the hospital.

Manhattan is super expensive to live in. It's often easier on your pocketbook if you can get a roommate. I haven't been to the Bronx, but I definitely am pro-brooklyn as a great place to live. It seems as though getting to Queens from Brooklyn though is a hassle, unless you are driving. And as for Staten Island, I haven't been there, but I never hear fantastic things about it.

If you are really serious about moving to New York City, it may help to broaden your perspective on what kind of job you should take. There are jobs out there, but they may not be #1 on your list. That might change if moving to New York is #1 on your list.

I am at a transition point in my life, and eventually I will get back into the hospital when the timing is right. Moving to New York City was something I felt I had to do (I had been planning for a long time), and I did it.

You also need to get a New York State nursing license, so try to initiate that process before applying to jobs! It also helps if you have BSN... most job postings I see require that the applicant has a BSN.

Good lucky =)