Nursing in Southern CA

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Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.

So....all I have ever heard is that the cost of living is unbelievable in CA.....which from what I have looked up - it is. I am looking more around the Orange County area and am just interested in renting. I have also thought of travel nursing. Honestly - I am looking to move to this area to be near some family and to be around more moderate weather/participate in more outdoor activities (which I guess sounds silly but where I live the weather is miserably cold 6 months out of the year and I am DONE with cold weather!)

For a nurse with pretty decent experience (mostly in ER but more recently in pre-op/PACU), is the cost of living really that unaffordable? 

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

For LA county and Orange county, most definitely. If you look into the eastern counties/areas (SB County, Riverside County, etc) it's way more affordable. Of course you're further away from OC and LA, but there's a pretty significant difference in cost of living. Travel nursing in SoCal is probably a great idea to help with the cost a living and I'd imagine a juicy contract for the LA/OC area.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I have not found the cost of living that exorbitant here in southern CA, but I suppose that is because I come from the Northeast which tends to be similar. The salaries however are higher here and that has made all the difference. I am able to save more money. You have to be creative sometimes but you can definitely make it work without much stress provided you do not have the lifestyle needs of a celebrity and lacking the income of one.

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Specializes in ICU.

I might suggest you browse some Real Estate and Rental ads, Gas here is about $4.25-4.50, depends on the lifestyle you want.  I have lived here all my life, and we survive, but many are leaving.  It is very congested, and very complicated to live here; travel is measured in time, not miles.  For me, money is not a problem as I have not had a day off in two years my hospital was not asking me to come in, often for double time.  But that may be rare.

 

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