SanDiego Area?

Don't know about hospitals but the cost of housing is absolutely through the roof in SD. You'd probably want to check that along with salaries. Higher salaries may not mean much if more than half of your paycheck has to go to housing. And that can easily happen in SD.

I used to live in san Diego, but moved about 9 years ago. I wanted to buy a house and could not afford one there.

I lived in Ocean Beach. It had a bad rep, but I never had any trouble there at all. Apartments were cheaper there than say Mission or Pacific Beach. I quess that's if you want to live by the ocean, and I sure did.

I worked for Kaiser Hospital and then in their clinics for 13 years. But when I first moved there, I worked through the agencies to get an idea about the local hospitals. You might want to do the same.

Can't tell you about current salaries there anymore............

I lived in Ocean Beach. It had a bad rep, but I never had any trouble there at all. Apartments were cheaper there than say Mission or Pacific Beach. I quess that's if you want to live by the ocean, and I sure did.

If it was nine years ago, I can tell you that things have changed in Ocean Beach. Housing is not cheap there anymore, that's for sure.

I was born and raised, and still live, in San Diego. While the cost of living is high, there are so many perks that come with it. The weather here is gorgeous, the people are friendly, and the variety in fantastic. You can be in the mountains in the morning skiing, drive through the dessert in the afternoon, and watch the sunset over the ocean in the evening. But while possible, it's not advisable, haha. My point is, there is so much here to value and cherish. I just love it here and always have. New grads are making $25/hour+.

Scripps La Jolla and Scripps Mercy in Hillcrest are both excellent hospitals.

Please PM me if I can offer any information on the best areas to live based on your needs, likes and dislikes, as well as additional hospital info.

-j

Thanks!

I know the cost of living is high!. I am actually moving from DC and that is an expensive area and the RN's make probably the same. Average is $28-$34/hr. But it is a gang bang area and the weather and commute sucks! Average 2br apt is ~1,000-1,300/mo. NP's make squat about 60k/yr. Tell me more about San Diego. I am such an outdoorsy person and I love warm sunny days. Who doesn't? Getting a RN job shouldn't be that hard, right? I am looking at also evolving into an NP slot soon but I will practice as an RN to get the feel of the area and company.

Thanks!!

Kim

San Diego is truly beautiful and heaven for a person who loves the outdoors. We have such beautiful beaches, parks, plus the mountains. I honestly can't say enough about it. If you are into mountain biking, surfing - anything really, you can find it here. Skiing/Snowboarding is still close as well.

There are beautiful beach communities to live in, but they are quite expensive. There are also great areas like Downtown, Hillcrest - so many actually - tell me what you are looking for - what your ideal living environment would be and what you would like to pay per month, and I will see if I can narrow down some choices for you.

I think you would be really happy here. :)

Best wishes!

If it was nine years ago, I can tell you that things have changed in Ocean Beach. Housing is not cheap there anymore, that's for sure.

What a shame. I lived in OB for 13 years, never more than a couple blocks from the ocean. Used to ride my bike to work.

I still miss it. It was so relaxing, and a very casual lifestyle.

The cost of living in San Diego has certainly escalated in recent years, which is a shame. But that's only because the demand for housing is so high, as so many new people are moving here every year. Apparently the secret is out! :)

I've been checking into San Diego, too. Has any one heard about the working conditions at UCSD Med Center? Thanks for your time!

I used to live in San Diego and I loved it. The weather is the best and the proximity to the ocean, desert, and mountains can't be beat. Unfortunatly wages have not kept up with the costs of living there. I currently live in the Sacramento area and make $6+/hr more than I could get in San Diego, and I easily bought a house here. I still have many freinds who live in San Diego, and very few have been able to buy even a modest condo. The area is famous for the "sunshine dollars". Unfortunatly, when you can barely pay the rent while working 50 hours a week this is little consolation. When I visit my freinds there, I tell them that I spend more time in their pool than they do because they are always working to pay for it. If you are looking into Hospitals you have many to choose from. The ones I know of are UCSD, Alvarado (Tenet), Sharp hospitals, Scripps Hospitals, Kaiser, Palmorado/Palomar, Paradise Valley Hospital, and Balboa Navy Hospital (hires a lot of travelers). I think Kaiser and UCSD are near the top in pay and Paradise valley is near the bottom, but I would check them all out. Good luck, and if pay ever catches up with the cost of living let me know because I will be back there in an instant.