New Nurse looking to work in either Rockford or Indianapolis...needs help

[Nurse1126]

HI...everyone I am new to allnurses.com so I hope I am doing this correctly. I have just recently graduated from Northern Illinois University school of nursing this past May and I am hopfully going to either start at job in the new grad residency program at OSF St. Anthony hospital on the Med/Surg/tele floor in January. So if anyone knows anything about the program or plain just living in rockford I come from a suburb of chicago that is about 60 mins east of Rockford. So I don't know to much about the area at all. Or even where to look to live. So any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

I also have another oppurtunity to go with a fellow classmate of mine to Indianapolis and look for a job there. I really don't know much about that area either and what types of jobs are availble out there. I would really like to start in a new grad program but if there are not any opening I would be happy to start on a med/surg floor. So if any one out there knows of any good hospitals for a new grad to start at in Indianapolis I would greatly appreciate it. There I do have a place to live so that is a big plus. THANK YOU all so much for reading this and for any advice you all my have. I truly would appreciate. I am quite nervous about what to do.

Thanks

Nurse1126:Present1::icon_cheesygrin:

[rottmommie]

Honestly if you are looking for housing in the Rockford Illinois area, the best bet is Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton.

These are the areas with the better school districts and the lower crime rate. Rockford taxes are also higher than those areas, and as far as I am concerned if I pay high taxes I want good schools. You will not find good schools or safe schools in Rockford. I would not live there under any circumstance despite the fact I have grown children, due to crime, lack of work ethic, and general bad attitudes. You will find this when working in Rockford.

[cheyita]

I come from Chicago originally and have lived in Rockford for 8 years. We love it here, actually. Rottmommie is absolutely right about the taxes and school districts, though. We moved about 3 blocks from the Rockford/Loves Park border and we kick ourselves when we think of what we could have saved in taxes. However, we send our kids to Catholic school so the school district isn't as much of an issue for us...we're very happy with our children's education.

If you are a single, young adult I hear Rockford isn't the most exciting place to live. Since I've only lived here married with kids, I can't speak to that much. But for families, we've really enjoyed Magic Waters, Burpee Museum and Discovery Center, Midway Village, IceHogs games, Riverhawks games, free programs at Sinnissippi, etc.

I live only about 5-10 minutes from St. Anthony's. I can't recommend places to live, since I don't know what you can afford.

Hope that helped!