Moving from CA to the Southeast

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Hi, I am a CA native living in the SF Bay Area but am looking to relocate to the Southeast. I was thinking GA, SC, or FL. I realize the difference between the three (SF and the SE) in terms of culture/weather etc., but I was looking for a non-biased review of what it is like to live and work there. I am an LVN about to start my BSN program and don't plan on moving until after I graduate. Are jobs very difficult to come by out there (outside of the major metros like ATL, Columbia, Miami etc)? What is an example of the typical wage for the hospitals? Does the humidity take a long time to get used to? As nice as the Bay Area is, I am sick of the state of CA and it's awful "budget woes", not to mention it's insanely high cost of living. Oh, and I felt this was relevant as well: I am gay and have a partner but you'd never know about either of us unless we told you so we could "hide" it if necessary too. Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

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I've lived/worked in Ga and Fla. Both pay about the same for RN's ($22/hr and up depending on degree/experience/where you work/hours..) I don't know about LVN/LPN's. The further south you go in Ga or Fla the more hot/humid the weather will be - same w/SC but overall summer is summer and the heat/humidity are part of it.

I don't know about employment in SC but in Fla there seemed to be more opportunities outside the larger cities than in here GA but in in ATL (I don't live near there) opportunities seem plentiful - at least in the paper/job sites/facility sites.

You would need, at least in GA and FLA you license for either state first in order to get interviewed/hired I would think. Most places won't consider a nurse w/o the nurse living in the area and licensed - with the exception of the Federal Gov't. As long as you have a current license (LPN or RN) in any state they will look to hire you. http://www.usajobs.gov and I know they do offer employment to nurses in one state who are seeking to go to another.

If you don't plan on relocating until after your get your BSN you have a ways to go and a lot can change by then.

As far as gay community...never saw any issues for the gay/lesbian couples I knew in Florida but that was close to Jacksonville. ATL has a large gay/lesbian population and I know the Athens, Ga area does as well. As far as SC, I don't know.

Good luck

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I can't answer all of your questions, but I am an expert on the Florida and Georgia heat- it can be brutal. 100 degree Novembers are not uncommon. If you forget something in your car, it is not worth it to leave the AC for the 20 seconds it would take to go get it. The humidity sucks in the summer for sure, but it doesn't take any getting used to. If you have long hair, you will probably run into issues with frizz.

I have lived all over Florida and a few places in Georgia. These days, you won't even get funny looks for being a gay couple. Not in the cities and not in the tiny towns. It's just pretty well accepted these days. That's not to say they won't talk about you behind your back, because they will, but you certainly won't be a victim of hate crimes or hate-filled talk etc.

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I can't answer all of your questions, but I am an expert on the Florida and Georgia heat- it can be brutal. 100 degree Novembers are not uncommon. If you forget something in your car, it is not worth it to leave the AC for the 20 seconds it would take to go get it. The humidity sucks in the summer for sure, but it doesn't take any getting used to. If you have long hair, you will probably run into issues with frizz.

I have lived all over Florida and a few places in Georgia. These days, you won't even get funny looks for being a gay couple. Not in the cities and not in the tiny towns. It's just pretty well accepted these days. That's not to say they won't talk about you behind your back, because they will, but you certainly won't be a victim of hate crimes or hate-filled talk etc.

First off, irrelevant, LOL that name (@squidbillies).

Second, he's right. I live in a small town in south Georgia and you won't be the victim of any unpunished hate crimes here. It's not the best place to be if you expect equal benefits for your partner as a spouse anytime soon, and people will definitely talk about you behind your backs, but a lot of people here are very much in "You mind your business, I'll mind mine" mode. They'll vote against you having equal rights and then shake your hand in the grocery store :laugh:.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

Hi all! I'm currently living in California and I'm thinking about moving to Georgia and Florida as well because the nursing market is horrible and I have family in both states so I'll have support. I was wondering how long does it take a new RN grad to get a job in the market? Also, I'm originally from New Orleans so I don't mind the heat :cool:

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Thank you very much for that helpful response :). I love the west coast and CA (there really is no other place like it I think) but I'm still young (I'm 23) and I have a lot more to learn and experience. My aunt lives in Ga. and she sends pictures of her random trips throughout the surrounding areas/states and it looks very nice.

I will have to look into that website you shared. It's a great idea. Thanks again! :up:

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