moving from NYC to Richmond VA

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Apr 10, 2005

You really seem to have answered your own question. You say the salary is too low for you. So if that is truly the case, stay in NY, finish the masters, even anesthesia school maybe, and then the world, not just Richmond will be open to you at a great rate of pay. BTW, $125,000.00 is not a lot of money for a CRNA, even a newly licensed one. More like 140's.

BabyNurse513 · Apr 11, 2005

I am a nurse in NYC, I moved here with 2+ years of experience and I have a BSN. My starting salary in Manahttan was $33. It seems like a lot but the cost of living in the city is ridiculous. I am 26, single and I live by myself and I feel like I never have enough money. Unless you are able to live at home I would move to VA. At least for me, the extra salary really doesn't compensate for the cost of living, commuting etc.

student4ever · May 19, 2005

Hello. I will be graduating with my Bachelors in Nursing in May 2006 and I am from NYC. Nurses straight out of school in NYC are starting out right now at $35-45 an hour. Now this is a really good salary right out of school. But my dream is to move to Richmond VA (Because I love Richmond), work for a year in ICU at whatever hospital pays the best and to attend VCU to get my masters to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. My problem is the tremendous pay cut that I will have to take if I move to Richmond. I hear that nurses are not payed that well. $17 an hour is ridiculous no matter what the cost of living is. To me that salary is bad for a single 21 year old without any kids. I would barely get by. But this problem will go away if I get my masters because the salary in Richmond for CRNA's are on average is $125,000 a year. I dont know what to do. Should I just stick it out and get my masters in Richmond or should I get my masters in NY and then move to Richmond. I know that apartments and car insurance is really cheap in VA..but Im still hesitant about moving. Any suggestions or opinions?? Thanks. :) Im so confused right now.

I live in Virginia (not Richmond, but still) and the cost of living is really good. You say 17 dollars an hour is rediculous, and that's partly right. Check for sure how much you would be paid at whatever hospital you are looking at, I have a feeling it's a bit higher than that. But being from NYC, I can understand that it seems like very little money because you're used to everything costing sooooo much more than it does here. I make about $12/hr (I'm not through school yet) and I'm making it just fine, even paying for school out of pocket. My HUGE townhouse is only $650/month, and the rest of the utilities, etc. are not that much, so it's all kind of relative. $17/hr doesn't seem like much to you, but it seems like a whole lot to me, since I don't make near that, and I am financially doing fine. Of course, I drive a clunky little car that's paid off, so that helps too! But especially if you get a roommate, Virginia is a good place to live for the cost of living, not to mention it's a beautiful state, and we're (mostly) really nice people!!! Good luck with your decision, and if you decide to come on down south, good luck moving!

-Janelle

qje999 · May 19, 2005

Hello. I will be graduating with my Bachelors in Nursing in May 2006 and I am from NYC. Nurses straight out of school in NYC are starting out right now at $35-45 an hour. Now this is a really good salary right out of school. But my dream is to move to Richmond VA (Because I love Richmond), work for a year in ICU at whatever hospital pays the best and to attend VCU to get my masters to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. My problem is the tremendous pay cut that I will have to take if I move to Richmond. I hear that nurses are not payed that well. $17 an hour is ridiculous no matter what the cost of living is. To me that salary is bad for a single 21 year old without any kids. I would barely get by. But this problem will go away if I get my masters because the salary in Richmond for CRNA's are on average is $125,000 a year. I dont know what to do. Should I just stick it out and get my masters in Richmond or should I get my masters in NY and then move to Richmond. I know that apartments and car insurance is really cheap in VA..but Im still hesitant about moving. Any suggestions or opinions?? Thanks. :) Im so confused right now.

yes, i am a new yorker and if i could go back to ny I would. please don't come to virginia, especially richmond. For a small city the crime is horrible. i can expect it in ny cause of the size. also the south is prejudice from what i have been through. they really dont like yankees, and will let you know it. the pay is horrible. yea the cost of living isn't too bad, but you dont make much here.I often wish I could go back to ny but family doesn't want to move back. Virginia is a pretty state but that is all they have going for them. please think it over carefully, ok. good luck

lkombacher · Jun 14, 2005

I moved from New york 18 years ago ,got ny BS and am getting my masters. You might not make as much,but cost of living is alot cheaper. Apartments can range fron 600.00 yo 900.00 a month.Much cheaper yhen back home. Education is great here. VCU medical center pays for 6 credits a semester.We also receive bonus checks every year and our shift dif is great. :rotfl: :) :Melody:

marylyric · Nov 5, 2005

yes, i am a new yorker and if i could go back to ny I would. please don't come to virginia, especially richmond. For a small city the crime is horrible. i can expect it in ny cause of the size. also the south is prejudice from what i have been through. they really dont like yankees, and will let you know it. the pay is horrible. yea the cost of living isn't too bad, but you dont make much here.I often wish I could go back to ny but family doesn't want to move back. Virginia is a pretty state but that is all they have going for them. please think it over carefully, ok. good luck

I totally agree with you. Richmond is a very prejudice and racist state. The crime rate is terrible. Mostly because the opportunties offered to people of color is very hard to come by in richmond. That said. Try northern virginia, very nice, but cost of living is almost as high as nyc I would guess. This is where I live.

traumaRN1908, RN · Nov 6, 2005

As the name suggests, I have lived in Virginia most of my life. I do not think it is horrible, and I am a VCU alumnae. (BS 2002). Richmond is a lot of things, but horrible it is not. It is just like any other medium urban city, and it has it's share of problems. The cost of living is reasonable even if $17/hr. sounds like peanuts to you coming from NYC, it will be enough to make ends meet comfortably in VA.

You may consider Hampton Roads area too. ODU has a reputable CRNA program, and Sentara is a good hospital that offers tuition assistance and other partnership programs.

The sad truth is that after living in NYC almost anywhere in the south is going to probably seem horrible to you. I have been to NYC many times, and they are just two TOTALLY different worlds. It will take some getting used to for you. As to the racist nature of the city...that ugly beast is lurking in every city in the US is one shape or another. I personally can say that I did not have a hard time in Richmond. It just depends a lot on what type of lifestyle you live as to what your experience will be. I you want more detail PM me.

Good luck