Moving to CT. Advice pls!

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Hello everyone. I am planning to relocate to CT this summer. I have 2 job interviews lined up for a RN position. One at Saint Raphael and the other at St. Vincent's. Anyone have the scoop on either of these? & how bad is the cost of living in CT. I was hoping to get an apartment for under 1000 a month. thanks for all your replies. from Jojo

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While I can not comment on the hospitals, two of the cities I avoid if possible are Bridgeport and New Haven due to their crime. If you work in either of these places I would not live there. The surrounding towns are much safer. The cost of living here is higher than many parts of the country but yes you can find rents for under 1000. I would suggest renting in a two family house type surrounding rather than an apartment building. That type of rent tends to be cheaper and more like you are living in your own home.

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I can only comment on St. Vincent's...I love it. There is very much a family feeling in that hospital. What type of position are you looking for ICU? ER? med/surg? Although Bridgeport is not the greatest area it's easily accessible from I95 and Route8/25 connector. I had heard the same thing upon applying to St. V's...it's in a bad neighborhood. I've had no incidents or any problems while I've worked there.

They offer a lot of incentives...gym, credit union, leveling, pay for educational courses and when you sit for exams (if you pass). The list is long compared to other hospitals that I've worked at.

As far as the cost of living...from what a lot of people say single bedroom apt. go from 750-1100 and you can get a 2 bedroom for 950-1400. The surrounding areas of Bridgeport are nice regardless of the above posters comment. Look in Milford, Stratford, Fairfield...it all depends on how far you want to commute. Good luck...if you have any questions feel free to ask.

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I was suggesting the surrounding towns. Milford, Stratford, Trumbull, are all nice towns with low/no crime. As far as the New Haven Area, same areas are close by.

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Both hospitals are great places to work. Real estate is a tricky matter in the area. Ask the hospitals if they would house you for a short time while you find a good apartment that is reasonable. I must tell you that the school systems in both cities are poor (you dont mention if you have children). I agree with above posters....surrounding areas offer safer/nicer housing but be prepared for commuting hassles. I would choose St. Raph's over St. V's just based on what my friends have told me, but I have friends happy at both places.

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I guess it really depends on what dept. you want to work in. Being that St. Vincent's has just opened a brand new state of the art 30 bed ICU...if that's what you are looking for I would reccommend that. I cannot comment on St. Raph's because I do not or have not worked there but I think it's bold to suggest working there over another facility when you do not work there yourself and are relying on what you've heard from you're friends.

Just my opinion. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for in a job and environment.

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Let me be a bit bolder and clarify my stance. St. Raph's pays better than St. V's and offers more off shift differentials and work package deals. That is why I would go to St. Raph's first, St. V's second.

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Just my $.02 regarding location: I live in New Haven and LOVE it! Of course, I'm from a major urban area in California, so maybe it wasn't such a shift, but I find NH to be a really cool, fun, culturally exciting place to be. It is definitely my favorite place in CT. Great theatre, every kind of restaurant you can imagine, lots of things to do. There are, of course, whole swaths of the city to stay out of, but the downtown/Yale part is beautiful, and East Rock, where I live, is really cute, with a great community and close access to a beautiful park with great views of the Sound. All this is to say that - yes, NH has its seedy areas, but - especially if you're thinking of working in NH, at St. Raph's - it can be a very neat place to live (as long as you're smart about things!).

Re: hospitals - I work at YNHH, not St. Raph's, so I can't say much about it from a work perspective - sorry!

And of course - I'm also speaking as a recent grad, no kids, so my perspective may be very different from yours! Good luck to you though!

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Specializes in Too many to list.

What about West Haven? We have been looking on the internet at the cost of homes there. They seem more reasonable than further west (Milford, Trumball). We have not driven thru there yet to see what the neighborhoods are like. Would really rather not rent if possible. Anybody know anything about West Haven?

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While I can not comment on the hospitals, two of the cities I avoid if possible are Bridgeport and New Haven due to their crime. If you work in either of these places I would not live there. The surrounding towns are much safer. The cost of living here is higher than many parts of the country but yes you can find rents for under 1000. I would suggest renting in a two family house type surrounding rather than an apartment building. That type of rent tends to be cheaper and more like you are living in your own home.

What you said is not exactly accurate. There are many nice areas in Bridgeport, the North End of Bridgeport going toward Trumbull is not bad. I have been living in Bridgeport for 16 years. I never had any problem. Most of the crimes are due to people dealing drugs, involving in illegal activities. Last week a lady was murdered by her jealous ex husband.

I also know New Haven pretty well also. There are some great areas.

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Specializes in Adult NP.

hi everyone! I am moving to connecticut next month. Anybody familiar with Lord chamberlain and Belair manor rehabilitation facilities? please advise.

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