Moving to CA in next year...questions

U.S.A. California

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele; Mother/Baby.

We are hoping to move to CA in the next 1-2 yrs. We are looking at Riverside,Sacramento,Modesto,San Diego areas. I was hoping someone could answer some questions--cost of living really as high as what I hear? What about the schools out there? Will they accept my kids school transcripts from where we are now (I've heard they won't..state law??), RN's wages adequate for cost of living? Any help would be great. I think that we are leaning more towards Sacramento area at this time, but looking at other areas and keeping options open.

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I grew up in Riverside and San Diego, so I know a little about them.

The greater Riverside area is much less expensive to live in than San Diego, but also has generally worse schools and more crime than San Diego. I currently live in the LA area, so the cost of living in Riverside seems really inexpensive to me. You can easily find a 3 bedroom home for under $225k. In San Diego you can expect those prices to be at least 20% higher. But like in any other area, there are good neighborhoods and bad neighborhoods. Check out websites like move.com to see what rental and home prices are like in the various areas you're looking for. Keep in mind that the Riverside and San Diego metro areas have millions of people in them, so you'll definitely need to narrow down your search.

As far as your kid's transcripts, I don't see how they could not accept their previous coursework. However, graduation requirements in California may be different than what they are in your current state. Most schools have their own websites, so you can take a look at curriculum there and see if its comparable to what your kids are currently experiencing.

As far as wages go, I know my mother, who is an experienced RN living in Riverside County makes around $35/hour. I suggest calling hospitals in the areas where you're hoping to live and see what their pay is like.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Modesto and Riverside cheapest, but also high crime rates. Salary's are good because your car might get stolen.

Sacramento, has some nice areas, some bad areas. Traffic can be horrendous. Salaries are much higher, but the nice areas are somewhat expensive too.

San Diego, probably safest areas, but salaries are lower in comparision to how expensive it is.

Only salaries I can official quote is Riverside. I have a friend working at Riverside Community hospital on day shift making over 35/hr. With 1 year experience in an ortho unit. I actually didn't mind Riverside, it just got pretty hot and humid in the Summer.

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i took a travel assignment in Modesto, CA at Doctors. wondering what's the best cheap but good/safe place to live? I'm willing to be at least 20min driving distance ...

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I've lived in California most of my life and it is pretty expensive cost of living in Northern and Southern Cali. Job pay rate is below average for the cost of living & it should/could be more to live comfortably, but it is what it is. RN's get $22-45 an hour in Cali. It just depends on the shift, job title (charge nurse, relief nurse, per dieum nurse etc), department, specialty and hospital (Typically, smaller & county hospitals pay on the lower end, metropolitan/large hospitals pay more).The best areas out of those you listed as far as schools is San Diego & Sacramento.

The transcripts thing/law is new on me, I'd make some phone calls once you settle on an area and before you buy a house in the area to make sure though.

Hope that helps...Keep us posted on where you end up!

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