Which Washington towns/cities do you recommend working in and why?

gdean1 · Apr 26, 2006

Try Spokane. Everything west of the mountains is too crowded and too expensive. If Spokane is too big, there are several small communities within a 2 hour drive that have hospitals of 20 - 70 beds. Tri-cities is a good place to stay away from but Wenatchee might be a nice place. Yakima isn't bad but has a higher population of migrant workers.

I used to live in the seattle area and now live in Spokane but this is a far better place to raise a family and enjoy the outdoors. Better skiing in the winter, better lakes in the summer.

happygrad06 · May 1, 2006

Hi everyone, i would like to send my message out in hopes of getting some recommendations on great places to live and work in Washington. I have never been and thought i would start with this discussion board to research good communities.!
Thank you!

Salaries are several dollars less in eastern WA than in Central and western. It is also more expensive to live in central and west. West you get tons of rain but it's green and lush. East, less rain but butt cold 8 months out of the year and the trees though somewhat green are half dead compared to the lushness of the west. Central is like the desert with a bunch of apple orchards thus huge amounts of pesticide use. That about sums it up! You can access mountains from anywhere in the state if you are willing to drive an hour or two. Northern Idaho is beautiful. But, very different from WA. As for pay I had a friend who began nursing a year ago in eastern WA night shift and she only got 17 an hour to start. Versus over west, they advertise starting 22 to 24. Yet, real estate is twice the cost to buy I dont know about rent. And again that depends on where west you live. The costs in eastern wa are raising steadily. If you wish to relocate there and buy I recommend you do so now. The RE costs have gone way up over the last 2 years since I've been in Central WA for school. I'm about to graduate and have to decide where in the nation I will relocate myself and kids to. Tough choice. Good luck! :lol2:

fd5151 · May 2, 2006

Salaries are several dollars less in eastern WA than in Central and western. It is also more expensive to live in central and west. West you get tons of rain but it's green and lush. East, less rain but butt cold 8 months out of the year and the trees though somewhat green are half dead compared to the lushness of the west. Central is like the desert with a bunch of apple orchards thus huge amounts of pesticide use. That about sums it up! You can access mountains from anywhere in the state if you are willing to drive an hour or two. Northern Idaho is beautiful. But, very different from WA. As for pay I had a friend who began nursing a year ago in eastern WA night shift and she only got 17 an hour to start. Versus over west, they advertise starting 22 to 24. Yet, real estate is twice the cost to buy I dont know about rent. And again that depends on where west you live. The costs in eastern wa are raising steadily. If you wish to relocate there and buy I recommend you do so now. The RE costs have gone way up over the last 2 years since I've been in Central WA for school. I'm about to graduate and have to decide where in the nation I will relocate myself and kids to. Tough choice. Good luck!

Thanks for the info.....i would defnitely be more interested in the western part of washington----are there may options for work in long term care facilities or psych nursing in this area? Preferably not in a (too) large center?

happygrad06 · May 2, 2006

I can't speak for western but I known in central and eastern WA long term care facilities are always looking for help be it RN LPN or CNA.

Fairlythere, ASN, RN · May 21, 2006

I cant speak for the working conditions as I am JUST starting, but as for cities, Bellingham area, NW Wash, is the BEST. The housing costs are still somewhat affordable, you are two hours from Seattle and an hour from Vancouver BC, right on the ocean, minutes from Mt. Baker, and while yes we do get rain, being a lifer in the Pacific NW I can tell you its far less up here than it was Southwest of Seattle where I was raised.

Average starting wage at the local Hosp. is currently 23 an hour base rate, plus 2 to 4 extra shift diff. Not many positions full time but you get benefits if you are .5 or more. It is a Sisters of Providence hospital and some people don't like that for some reason. It is rep. by WSNA union and the dues are high I think. Like 58 a pay period. They are hiring currently.

My dd works as a charge nurse LPN in a local LTC facility and makes 19 an hour. RNS make a bit more but they have a large pt to staff ratio.

Anyway, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this area and my only other choice would by Olympia where I lived for awhile, but it is getting expensive and large.

Good luck. CJ

northwest20 · Jun 3, 2006

ive lived in port angeles, wa my entire life. i am a new grad and will be leaving this area to work in some larger hospitals, our hospital here is great however and located on the olympic peninsula, gateway to olympic national part. rent is cheap compared to the city. i pay 525$/month for a small rental house.

hospital website

http://www.olympicmedical.org/fac_memHospital.html

good luck!

i know they have new grad perdiem positions open for my graduating class in the CCU, ER, and med surg floors and most turn into full time positions eventually.