Moving from CA to Montana

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Hi, any advice would be appreciated!

 
I'm an OR nurse relocating from NorCal to Montana for my partner's job.  Is it worth it to keep a per diem job in NorCal and fly back and forth as well as doing travel nurse positions? I'm trying to maximize my income since Montana only pays $40/hr vs travel pay at $69/hr. The per diem rate here is about $120/hr. We're also trying to have a baby next year, so we would like to benefit from California maternity leave. Has anyone done this or is it a bad idea to travel back and forth? Montana has no maternity leave pay unless we are there a year, and we want a child before then. 
 

we thought about me keeping my full time position here, but it doesn't make sense in the long run. 
 

also, does anyone have experience working in Montana?

 

thanks a lot!!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

You'll need to compare cost of living in both places - you may find that while the pay in Montana is lower, it has more buying power than the high salary in NorCal. Also, think about how much you'd need to make to break even if you're flying back and forth- gas/wear and tear on vehicle to get to airport, rental car in NorCal, cost of flights, cost of place to stay. And what about all the time you'll spend traveling or waiting in the airport? Unless the pay is insanely high, I can't personally see it being of benefit, although I haven't done any research whatsoever.

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Thanks! Bozeman has only a slightly lower cost of living. Rent, groceries, and utilities are all about the same cost. That's what makes it hard 

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