Single mom calling all Houston and Dallas nurses-advice and suggestions needed

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Hi all,

Please I need some help in making this important decision to relocate.

I am a single mom of two young kids;currently in an ADN program in MD,I graduate next year. I am thinking of relocating to a warmer state and some people suggested I try Texas.

Firstly, I am looking for a safe neighbourhood,affordability,good schools,basically stress free living (as much as possible). So, I am considering Dallas or Houston. I heard the northern suburbs of Dallas is nice and Katy,Sugar land,Cy-Fair,Pearland i Houston are also nice with good school district.

I did a google search and I saw both areas have a lot of hospitals. If I can afford it, my kids will attend private christian schools, but if not......you see why I need a good school district.

I heard Houston and Dallas are both hot but Houston is more humid,traffic is terrible in both places etc.I think I am leaning towards Houston,Katy area but will lik to hear from real people that are very familiar with both areas.

Sorry about the long post an thank you for your time.

PS: God willing I would like to complete my BSN and also an NP program so proximity/access to universities will be helpful.

Many thanks:)

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Specializes in Corrections.

I would plan on moving to laredo by next year.. the job market is bleak

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Specializes in L&D, Nursery, Postpartum, Pediatrics.

I'm a Dallas native, so of course I'm biased, but I've always loved it here. I live in far north Dallas, but drove south to downtown everyday to Baylor nursing school for two years! (BSN and NP programs...) There's also UTA and TWU for other BSN nursing programs in the area. I'm not very well versed on the school systems, my son isn't old enough yet, but there are nice neighborhoods in pretty much every suburb, just depends on how far you want to drive. I do know there are several private Christian schools in a lot of the suburbs as well. Heading north from Dallas there's Richardson, Plano, Allen, McKinney, respectively. There's also Frisco, Addison, Arlington, Irving to the west, and Mesquite, Rowlett, Rockwall to the east, just to name a few. Honestly while the traffic CAN be bad, if you live close enough to I-75, 635, the tollway, or George Bush turnpike, you can get to pretty much anywhere you want without too much trouble. Especially with 12 hr shifts, since this normally puts you driving before/after peak rush hour. I drive from north of McKinney to Dallas almost everyday, and while it does cost a small ransom in gas, it's really nice having the best of both worlds; rural and urban, within less than an hour's drive. (And of course there's always the ever expanding DART light rail train system...very convenient)

There are also hospitals in every suburb. The big ones are in Dallas (BUMC, Parkland, Children's, Presby Dallas, Medical City), but there are smaller branches of many of the systems in each suburb. I have worked at Big Baylor (BUMC) and THR Presby Dallas, both as nurse externs, but am applying for RN internships right now at nearly every hospital in Dallas. (In this job market I don't really care how far I have to drive...)

Hope that helps a bit, and good luck! :)

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If you are considering an NP program and you choose the DFW area, I would strongly recommend you plant yourself right in the middle of the area. Arlington/Bedford will be your better bets to be centrally located to about 8 hospitals while at the same time allowing you access to some good schools for your kids AND close proximity to universities.

I just finished the FNP program at UTA and they were amazingly family friendly...you can take a full load (which I would never recommend with kids) or take one class at a time. PM me and I'll give you some specific areas.

My brother went to med school in Houston. Let's just say the whole family calls Houston the "armpit" of Texas. Hot, humid, nasty, horrible traffic. UGH. If you have a choice, don't!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Make sure you have a job BEFORE you move. We're pretty saturated with new grads - out of state experienced nurses are pouring in with hopes of finding a job. Lots of competition.

Katy is a great area. There are two new hospitals scheduled to open very soon. Katy school district is very highly rated and there is a wide range of housing available. I lived out in that area prior to moving farther into the city about 10 years ago.

I love Houston. I have lived lots of places, but never want to move again. We're not user-friendly, but the advantages far outweigh the negatives. Our climate is tropical - pretty much the same as other Gulf Coast states. You'll acclimate in no time.

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Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. I didn't realise you guys had replied to my thread because I did not get any notification from allnurses so I was pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. Will definitely get a job before relocating

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Specializes in Psych, EMS.

I would recommend Katy. I grew up there. Easy access to Houston while still being an isolated suburbia. Good schools, affordable housing, and lots of hospitals being built.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg.
Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. I didn't realise you guys had replied to my thread because I did not get any notification from allnurses so I was pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. Will definitely get a job before relocating

Did you relocate yet? I'm a single mom too hoping to relocate to TX within next two years. I wanted to get some years of experience first as well as my BSN before I relocated. I'd love to know how you're making it work as a single mom in a new place.

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How funny..I am trying to get OUT of Houston- I hate it here!! I like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio MUCH better!! Houston has pockets of nice areas.. but, it reminds me too much of Los Angeles-- kinda like a concrete jungle, if you get what I mean. I live in Cypress, which is nice and affordable and my kids go to exemplary schools- you may like this area of Houston.

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Grapevine,Keller,Colleyville,Southlake,Justin area,Aledo all great School Districts

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg.
How funny..I am trying to get OUT of Houston- I hate it here!! I like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio MUCH better!! Houston has pockets of nice areas.. but, it reminds me too much of Los Angeles-- kinda like a concrete jungle, if you get what I mean. I live in Cypress, which is nice and affordable and my kids go to exemplary schools- you may like this area of Houston.

I am looking at San Antonio as well, but I have friends and family in Houston, so that may work out better for me with my kids. I'm still undecided. I have two years to decide. What do you hate about Houston? I've never been to LA, so not exactly sure what you mean. Thanks!

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