moving to washington dc from martinsburg--help!

[kclark17]

Hi all,

my name I Kendra and I have been working as a Neurology nurse at Winchester Medical Center for about 8 months. This was my first nursing job, and by the time I'm ready to move to DC in October I'll have a little over one year of nursing experience under my belt.

I am enrolled in an online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program and with this move to DC will need to find a psychiatric RN position to gain experience while in school. I am not very familiar with the DC area, so I really need some help determining which hospitals to apply to, where exactly to rent, and what I can expect in regards to cost of living. Here are a few questions I have:

1) what are some of the best areas to live with a good music/entertainment nightlife scene? Im 22 years old and would really prefer a lively, culturally rich neighborhood. Additionally which neighborhoods should I avoid? I have heard that U street, Dupont Circle, and Logan Circle are all good areas for young people.

2) How much can I expect rent for a decent (don't need luxury) studio or one bedroom apartment to cost me?

3) what are some of the better hospitals to work in in DC? I would like to be able to walk or take a short metro ride to work if possible.

4) what can I expect in regards to pay with the amount of experience I have?

Any other general advice about living in the DC area would be much appreciated!