Real Life in NYC

tinderbox · Jul 10, 2006

I know that this is an old post but you should def do a travel assignment because the cost of living in NY is ridiculous. I live at home and I still have problems saving.... And I don't squander my money either. Being a travel nurse is good because it pays you more than the hospital normally would and you also get free FURNISHED housing or a housing subsidy (which I have heard is $2500 a month). I know starting salary where I work is 62k a year or 68k with shift-dif. and we are about to get a salary increase to where we would be the highest paid hospital in NY because we are rated #1 in NY by US world and News (for whatever thats worth).
I would definitely recommend cross country also because they are in all the big hospitals the travelers that come to the floor love it. They say the pay is great and we use an ALL computerized documentation system which makes life so much easier.
NYC is not all glitz and glamour. Good luck I do think it will be to your benefit though to do a travel assignment and see how you like it first.

How about staffing in NYC hospitals? And unions? Most NYC hospitals are unionized, right? Or at least the bigger ones, like NYU, Mt Sinai??

NewYorkCityRN · Jul 13, 2006

I am 24 and single! The guys in Hoboken (3 min away) and in JC are so fun. Don't worry, this is a very yuppy area!

nyforlove · Jul 28, 2006

Hi Tiger,

Just wondering if you ended up moving to the Big Apple and which hospital you chose. Would appreciate hearing how you decided, as I am graduating in August and will also be looking at those hospitals. Thanks.

Hey Tinderbox, I will be graduating in May, and I plan to move to NYC next summer. I am applying to Mt. Sinai, NYU, Lenox Hill, NYP, and Sloan Kettering as of right now. I thought about doing travel nursing, but I really just want to get out of New Orleans now. I don't want to wait 2 years. NYU has a nursing residency program for new grads. I'm not too sure about the orientation programs at the other hospitals.
Good luck!

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2006

In re Jersey City: It's really lovely, and the train into NYC is only $1.50. HowEVER, I wouldn't recommend it unless you will be working in the lower part of Manhattan. I live at 181st street, and it takes me a good 90 minutes to get to my bf's house in JC. Of course, I'm the genius who's moving to Brooklyn and working at Columbia Pres (hour + commute) so I don't know that you should listen to me...

cookielady,rn · Jul 28, 2006

Can anyone tell me about taxes? I have heard NYC has an added income tax on top of fed and state. Would this include all hospitals on all islands?

tinderbox · Jul 28, 2006

Jersey City sounds nice. Stupid question. Is it in New Jersey? Wouldn't I have to pay more taxes if I lived in NJ and worked in NY? Seems like it's that here with OR and WA.

I have been hearing a lot of great things about Astoria and Jackson Heights. The thing that scares me about getting around Queens is that it doesn't follow that easy grid, like Manhattan does, right? Do people in Queens get around the same way that people in Manhattan do?

I'm moving this early Spring, by the way. Woohoo!!!

In re Jersey City: It's really lovely, and the train into NYC is only $1.50. HowEVER, I wouldn't recommend it unless you will be working in the lower part of Manhattan. I live at 181st street, and it takes me a good 90 minutes to get to my bf's house in JC. Of course, I'm the genius who's moving to Brooklyn and working at Columbia Pres (hour + commute) so I don't know that you should listen to me...

tinderbox · Jul 28, 2006

Oh yeah Brooklyn is way up on my list, too. Park Slope is nice, I've heard.

I think I've pretty much ruled out Manhattan for now. Too bad, since if I made 200k a year, I'd very much settle in Manhattan but for a 1st year - I don't think I need the added stress, along with being in a new city, of trying to scrounge for food. haha.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2006

Oh yeah Brooklyn is way up on my list, too. Park Slope is nice, I've heard.
I think I've pretty much ruled out Manhattan for now. Too bad, since if I made 200k a year, I'd very much settle in Manhattan but for a 1st year - I don't think I need the added stress, along with being in a new city, of trying to scrounge for food. haha.

OOH! Move to Park Slope and then we can hang out! That's where I'm moving to tomorrow! It is in fact lovely, a tad more expensive than other parts of Brooklyn, but you should be able to get a studio or 1BR for around $1000. Anything that price in Manhattan will either be in a very scary neighborhood or falling down around your ears, or both. The surrounding areas of Brooklyn are good too. I don't remember, when are you planning on moving here?

cookielady,rn · Jul 29, 2006

what about roommates? Are there boards at your hospital where you could find one? I know there are a ton of people on craigslist.

tinderbox · Jul 29, 2006

what about roommates? Are there boards at your hospital where you could find one? I know there are a ton of people on craigslist.

I'm past that point in my life where I could tolerate living with roommates. I really like living alone (well with pets anyway). I love having guests and friends over but cannot stand having to worry about other people's messes or how my messes may upset someone else or lack of privacy, etc etc etc... blech! Not worth it to me. I'm fine getting a 1 bedroom outside of Manhattan, in Queens or Brooklyn, as long as I don't have to have roommates.

striker230 · Aug 5, 2006

For all of you out there who are thinking of making the big adventurous move to the Big Apple........DO IT! I moved here from a small, small town in Ohio and I haven't regretted one moment!

Like many have said, every neighborhood is different so it is easy to find one that fits your personality while still being able to explore the rest of the City within minutes.

For anyone who is thinking of moving in the near future, the southwest portion of Harlem is making a huge transition for the better (115th street area by Manhattan Ave/Morningside). Now would be the time to secure apts before the prices skyrocket!

Commuting, for me, was totally not worth it. Most areas in Jersey that are close to the City are just as expensive and coming from an area where you could just jump in your car and be anywhere in a matter of minutes.....taking the bus into the City sucks! So, if you ask me, pay a little extra to live in the City! Just to give you an example....I rented a studio in Hackensack, NJ for $735, my share of a 2 bedroom in the above neighborhood which has subway and bus access within a block is $800!!! Oh, I kept my car too just to make those weekend getaways a little more convenient.

I'm a recent BSN grad and getting ready to start at Beth Israel Hospital. So, they do hire new grads, they train you, and I recommend getting your experience here. Do your research on each hospital, some are union, some are not, some offer compensation for transportation, look into the benefit packages, and interview everywhere, even if you don't want to work there--it's good practice.

For those of you single gals......when I moved here I was single and the dating scene is a blast. I met an amazing man one night at a bar, we are now sharing an apt and will be getting married July 14, 2007!!!

If you have any questions I'll do my best to help out, and if you want a contact for when you get out here, just let me know!

Good luck all!

StaRNew · Aug 5, 2006

Where do you leave your car? I was considering having a car in the city as well but was wondering whether to pay to put it in a garage or deal with side by side parking...