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!
Not sure if this will be helpful but I'll offer it up in case it is. I'm a Dept of Transportation nurse and oversee issues of health and driving for my state. As part of my function, I work nationally with other states on similar issues, including public transit. I've also lived all over the US.
If you need 100% reliable public transit and would have no access to a private car, I'd avoid the entire midwest except for Chicago. Many of the midwestern cities try hard (Omaha, Milwaukee) but ridership is so low that they can't offer the kind of comprehensive services that you would need. In my opinion the east coast does public transit best ...longer experience and higher participation. Many of the west coast cities are great as well.
If you can afford it, take a trip to the city you are considering and put the transit system to the test. Get the schedules and ride the buses, trains and shuttles at all hours of their operation. See how safe you feel and how reliable the service is. This is a test I have used myself as well as assisted other people in performing. It is worth the effort.
This is a great thread. I am learning so much about the different cities. I don't like to drive either and would love to get rid of my car. Does anyone know if Durham,NC or Tucson,AZ have good public transit?
I can tell you NOT to move to DFW or Houston if you want to use public transportation. I would LOVE to be able to get rid of one of our cars...but there is no way that my husband and I could both work as nurses without each having a car. We live in DFW and even the projected light rail plan for 2030 will not help a majority of the metroplex become vehicle-free.
Philadelphia, PA. Granted, I moved away in 1995 so my experience isn't very recent ... but it's got several great teaching hospitals and the transit system will take you about anywhere you want to go within the city, plus regional rail to the 'burbs and south Jersey.
You also can't beat the food -- nothin' in the world like a Philly cheesesteak or pretzel and a cold Yuengling brew :beer:
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!
outside of living in the midtown/downtown area, the op would greatly benefit from having a car. atlanta is very wide spread.
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.
Not on the mainland, but Honolulu, HI!!!! I lived there for several years. I don't remember the exact hours, but I think that the busses ran from something like 5 in the morning til 2 in the morning. I could be wrong. I you were willing to walk a few blocks, the bus would get you almost anywhere you wanted to go.
I moved away 5 years ago, and I know there have been some changes, but it worked great for me when I was there!
I now live in the midwest and wish I had the same options.
I can tell you where NOT to live, anywhere in the southwest. DO NOT listen to the person who said that LA was a PED-friendly city, it is not. but i have heard SEATLE has an amaizing system there. hope this helps!
I'd have to agree that LA is NOT a pedestrian friendly city. It's impossible to go anywhere without a car...you'd be very, very limited. And the bus system is trying...and not very successful. San Diego is absolutely gorgeous, but again, I don't think it's that pedestrian friendly. If you were content to live your whole life within 10 city blocks, maybe. I personally love to travel to the beach, the mountains, and such. I wouldn't be able to without some really nice friends or my car.
I am learning so much about the different cities. I don't like to drive either and would love to get rid of my car. Does anyone know if Durham,NC or Tucson,AZ have good public transit?
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Boston is a good choice with Harvard Medical School running many hospitals. Great for the resume.
Winters last 6 months though.