Relocation Advice Please

ChantelleRN2B · Sep 3, 2005

I don't know how I managed to post the same thing twice. I tried to delete one but I don't know how :uhoh3:

kellyo, LPN · Sep 3, 2005

Lots of opportunities in NC! Check out the state discussions, you'll get a better idea of hospitals, working conditions, pay and quality of life in lots of other states. Good luck!

Momto3andNurse2B · Sep 6, 2005

I always sound like such a complainer when I talk about this, but I feel very strongly about it. Be very careful when considering Florida. Not for the hurricanes, but for other reasons.

First, real estate costs have skyrocketed in the last 2-3 years here in South Florida. My home, which is nothing more than I think most would consider a "starter" home, has gone from 95k to 260k. A relatively modest 4BR runs in the neighborhood of 400k, with 6k a year in real estate taxes...I'm not willing to spend that even when I do graduate.

Second, salaries in most fields are not in line with the cost of living.

Third, traffic can be unbearable.

Fourth, schools, beyond the elementary level, are often marginal. My children attend a wonderful elementary school, but the middle and high schools we are zoned for are nothing to write home about.

I personally don't even like the weather, but most people do.

I'm truly not trying to be overly negative or scare you away...just being honest. These are all things you need to be aware of if you are considering this area. I'm planning on moving once I graduate and my husband finishes his master's.

Best of luck to you.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2005

There are also lots of opportunities in South Florida. Starting salaries are generally between $18-$19/hr. Be prepared to spend some dough on rent. As someone who has lived here all my life, I would say it's a great haven for retirees. If you want to raise kids and get involved in family life, I'd advise you to go further North. I think one of the biggest mistakes of my life was not moving my family out of the area when the kids were young.

We generally have two seasons in South Florida: a cool season and a hot season. It's truly beautiful here in the winter but the ocean breezes really kick up the surf making ocean swimming out of the question. The winter days are sunny without a cloud in the sky. The summer is oppressive and kicks in as early as mid-April. AC's are humming by then. Doing anything outside from April through the end of October is only for those who really love to sweat. Hurricanes are getting to be a real pain in the butt too. I haven't seen this kind of activity since I was a little kid. Of course Georgia and the Carolinas deal with them too.

I'm bugging out of here for points North a few short days after pinning. Hope you find a place to your liking.

ChantelleRN2B · Sep 14, 2005

Thanks for being honest. I've only ever vacationed in Florida so I don't have any idea what it's really like there. What area of Florida do you live in? What do you think about the Tampa/St. Pete area? Any input good or bad is appreciated. Where do you plan on going once you and your husband graduate?

ChantelleRN2B · Sep 14, 2005

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I do have a 2 year old little girl so maybe I should go a little further north, if I do end up in Florida. What areas would you recommend?

Momto3andNurse2B · Sep 14, 2005

I live in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area. I don't find it to be very family-oriented. I've only ever heard wonderful things about the west coast (Tampa/St. Pete, Ft. Myers/Naples areas). I do know that real estate is quickly going up in those areas as well.

Central and Northern Florida have some very nice areas, depending on what type of pace you like (Northern Florida is more like being in the South, while the bigger metros like Tampa and Miami are full of transplants from the Northeast and Midwest.)

Best of luck to you in finding an ideal spot for your family.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Sep 15, 2005

there are several resources u need to look into-one is salary.com to help u with that issue. i know that there are several sites that give u a ton of demographics for different cities around the u.s.-course i can't remember it now, but i am sure u could prob find it. i also want to move when boyfriend finishes school. i am from cali, lived in nh for a year (loved it), and am now unfortunately in south east ga. rate of pay isn't too bad compared to housing, but the schools rank very very low in the state compared to u.s. i hope to end up somewhere btwn here and va, prob nc or sc. would move more north, but boyfriend doesn't like snow too much! just want to get back to people who want to do something for themselves, further their education, with lots of stuff for kiddos. so good luck in your search!

sunnyjohn · Sep 15, 2005

Hmmm... Denver, Colorado or Austin, Texas would be good places.

My brothers live in Tampa. They like it, but it was not for me.

This is a great website to find a good fit.

http://www.findyourspot.com/

ChantelleRN2B · Sep 21, 2005

Well I appreciate everyones help. I 'm really having 2nd thoughts about Florida. It sounds like the cost of living doesn't match up with the pay down there. It's great for vacations though. Does anyone have any info about any good places in South Carolina and Georgia?

military spouse · Sep 21, 2005

Texas gets my vote for both decent pay and low cost-of-living!