Ok here's the deal...I do NOT drive a car at all and I don't plan on ever getting my driver's license (for various reasons)
That being said, what are some good cities in the US where you do not need a car to live or work as a nurse? I am single and am going to be graduating soon. I am looking into moving to the states from Canada sometime after I graduate if it all works out.
I am not picky about much really....
I don't care what state I live in really that much (higher paying salaried states are a bonus...) and somewhere relatively warm would be nice. I don't like snow that much but I can live with it if I have to.
I guess somewhere with a good subway or bus system would be essential. I dont mind walking too.
I already know about NYC and Chicago is apparently a good place to live if you dont have a car...can anyone recommend any other places to live? What about Seattle? I heard that was nice!
I second San Francisco -- I have never lived there but I have visited. You can get anywhere without the use of a car, and it is relatively warm througout the year. However, very very expensive city to live in.
What about Los Angelas? Never been to San Diego but perhaps San Diego?
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
New York Metropolitan area. I also do not intend to drive for several reasons. I do not focus well (am a daydreamer), I had a car accident borrowing someone elses' car and also, I cannot afford the payments and auto insurance. I am responsible enough to say that because I don't focus too much, I would be just as much of a danger on the road as a drunk, and I would be doing a great dis-service to the pedestrans and other motorists. I have been able to do quite well without a car. We have 24 hour public transportation with buses, subways, and the good old Long Island Railroad. Plenty of hospitals along the way.
Nix to Los Angeles. It's still a very car dependent area unless you're willing to quite limit your options of where to go and willing to spend 3-5X the length of time to get somewhere by public transit than by car - or be willing to bike 20-30 miles (at least it doesn't rain much!). You can work it out to live and work by good transit options & amenities but you'll still find MANY places difficult to get to without a car.
Seattle has a great city bus system. You won't need a car if you live in the city! It does rain in the fall and winter a lot though, so you might pick someplace drier so you don't have to be in the rain. Many of the busses downtown are in a tunnel so you could be pretty dry.
With my minimal experience Atlanta has the MARTA system. I attended a conference there and went all over on public transportation.
Yeah, I went to the AANN annual meeting in Atlanta a couple of years ago. I stayed at a hotel out by the airport and took the train into the city - very quick.
Seattle desparately needs a light rail system, but the residents of King County don't want to pay for it - they'd rather sit in traffic for a couple of hours every day.
Have you looked at Portland, Oregon? They have several public transportation options to choose from. It is a very nice city also. My brother in law lives there, and he loves it.
Further to another post, San Diego is a great city but I would say you need a car there, the Trolley system is good but has limited stops and the bus system is just ok. However, I am sure many people who work in the hospitals there manage without a car so it is do-able. And, the weather is AWESOME!
They all sound great - now I would just have to compare COL and salary as a new graduate nurse. Where I live new grads start off at 29 $ but I could live at home for free.
Do you think there would be a huge transition between working in the canadian health care system then going to the US system as a new grad? Thats what im most worried about if i do end up moving to the States after I write the NCLEX.
MikeyJ, RN
1,124 Posts
I second San Francisco -- I have never lived there but I have visited. You can get anywhere without the use of a car, and it is relatively warm througout the year. However, very very expensive city to live in.
What about Los Angelas? Never been to San Diego but perhaps San Diego?