Oh, California

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Hello everyone,

I am sure we have all browsed the internet in search of the best paying states for nurses. California always seems to be on the top of that list, but it is also pretty known that the cost of living in California is much higher than most places of the United States. So my question is, is the high pay worth the cost of living? Are nurses that live in California living in as nice of homes as they would choose to be living in in another state? I'm curious to know everyone's input on this! Especially if you live in the California area.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

California has some of the highest cost of living, and the toughest nursing board to endorse your license to. Right now California has an almost 47% unemployment rate of nurses especially new grads.

Are you a RN already?

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I live in the SF Bay area. I have been here since the 70's. My Mother was a nurse here for over 30 years.

California is no worse than anywhere else. You get out of it what you put into it.

Yes it is tough here, however nothing good ever comes easy.

I know nurses who make awesome money. I also know nurse who make peanuts.

As we used to say when I was in EMS. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

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California has some of the highest cost of living, and the toughest nursing board to endorse your license to. Right now California has an almost 47% unemployment rate of nurses especially new grads.

Are you a RN already?

Thanks...

And no I am not. Should be in nursing school this fall. I have a little while, but have been looking into different places to live for after I graduate.

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This might help you get a rough idea of what you're asking...

Cost of Living Calculator: Compare the Cost of Living in Two Cities - CNNMoney

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

The cost of living here varies widely, as do pay rates. The Bay Area pays well, but the cost of living is expensive in every way. I would imagine LA and San Diego are the same way. Nurses aren't living lavish lifestyles here, but they can afford to live, buy an inexpensive home and drive a decent car (I don't see any European cars in the lot where I am).

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

I think you can earn a decent living, but you could live better elsewhere. Rent in Orange County for a cheap apartment 2 bedroom is about 12-1400 a month. Take home new grads bring home 1700-1800 every 2 weeks. So you will be tight but manageable. No where as nice if you lived like in Texas I assume.

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I currently work in California and have worked in a few other states. I have found that overall, no matter where I go the I am able to afford roughly the same lifestyle because either cost of living is low or the pay is higher

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I work in San Diego, frequently visit the sugar mama whom works in LA, born and raised in the bay area. It is pretty expensive, but varies greatly on area and your own spending habits. I also went to school in the central Valley, where the wages are pretty up there with norcal with significantly cheaper housing with the trade off of things to do, beaches, fun etc. There is no real answer for you, gotta pick an area you're interested in and then research from there as the state is too large to generalize. I have friends in Texas with larger square footage to take home pay checks vs California and have no intentions of coming back. Look at zillow for a feel of home prices. The website linked above comparing areas somewhat reflected the differences in RN positions and housing.

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

That's funny, my husband and I are always coming up with schemes to move out of California so that we can buy a nice, cheap home. Housing in the cities are ridiculously expensive. Most people I know who own a home are far out in the suburbs and commute a long distance to the city to work. I'd rather buy a cheaper home with a cheaper paycheck and live frugally.

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Specializes in Corrections & Developmental Disabilities.

California(Southern) is my home and I miss it tremendously. Nursing wages have gone down, the job market is very competitive and the cost of living continues to rise there. The quality of life(home, vehicle, schools, activities) I could afford was very low. My family and I have traveled several years and enjoyed some nice places(New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas and currently Nevada) and are now ready to be "home". No place that I have been to compares to the diversity and natural beauty of California. I'm considering a move back, to the Central Valley(Bakersfield, Fresno) or Sacramento area, where jobs are plentiful, pay is still relatively high and the cost of housing and overall living is still affordable

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Pay for a new RN in my side of California: 55-80K a year. Rent for a one bedroom studio in my side of California: 1800/ month.

Pay for a new RN in another state: 35-60K a year. Rent for a one bedroom studio in another state: 900/ month.

So you spend 10K more a year on rent, but also get paid about 20-30K more a year in salary. I

Is it worth it? Yes! But if you can't get a job here, I think it's also worth it to go out of state.

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