Why wouldn't this cost of living hack work for California?

Published

Right now we live in Florida (put aside that I'm in school to be a PMHNP and that my wife currently works from home as one). If we went back to "bedside" why couldn't we live in Vacaville and commute to San Francisco (we each have about 10 years ICU experience) or live in Carson City Nevada and commute to Sacramento (or at least I could my wife could keep her current home based PMHNP, telemedicine job). In this way we could benefit from the high California pay (currently I make $45,00 no benefits working nights in the ICU) while minimizing the higher cost of living. Actually, I think living in Nevada and commuting to Sacramento might be the better bet even with relatively less pay in Sacramento than San. Fran. Currently, although I only live 32 miles from work in Orlando it takes me about an hour going one direction, but two hours with traffic going home.

Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

I like Nevada for a PMHNP business, but if I stay in bedside it has to be California for the ratio and other laws.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

What about acquiring a small plane and learning to fly? A friend of mine is a nurse with a Cessna.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The state income taxes is true.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

If I do something like this it will probably involve living in a mini camper pulled by SUV. My wife probably won’t leave Florida, but I’ve got 160k in student loans, no IRA, or heailth insurance, 30k in credit card debt and I’m 50. Thus earning an income higher than my current 70k or so (when I’m not in school as I am now) is a high priority.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, myoglobin said:

If I do something like this it will probably involve living in a mini camper pulled by SUV. My wife probably won’t leave Florida, but I’ve got 160k in student loans, no IRA, or heailth insurance, 30k in credit card debt and I’m 50. Thus earning an income higher than my current 70k or so (when I’m not in school as I am now) is a high priority.

Agree. Earn the money and get that debt paid while your health and circumstances allow you to work hard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

If I could raise my income closer to the 180k she earns as home based PMHNP then I would stay put. However, as a new grad ( assuming of course I actually graduate this July) I will be lucky to earn 80k working 4 days per week in Florida( I will need the 5th day off to catch up with my charting and frankly probably half of a Sat. as well). Long term I aspire to have my own practice by 55 in a state that allows it and to work until I’m at least 70.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
5 hours ago, myoglobin said:

I like Nevada for a PMHNP business, but if I stay in bedside it has to be California for the ratio and other laws.

Why not take a travel contract in California. You could get a very good idea of the commute and how the pay shakes out after taxes and fees. I like California but I don't live in the big metropolitan areas. Suburb life is cool, friendlier people, better air quality and you really can't beat the climate! Still you either love it or hate it.

Hppy

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

Especially, for couples who are both RN’s travel in California is the way to go in my opinion. If I cannot find adequate employment as PMHNP then bedside ICU or PCU travel in California may be my best option.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

The key to making that work is having a cheap place to stay while you are in California. Plus, flying home more than twice per month would be challenging from a budget perspective. That’s why having a small camper pulled by a SUV like “Traveling Robert” on YouTube might be a good option for some.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To Florida Spirit and Frontier have flights <150 each way and Southwest also when they have a sale. As far as places to stay, you could look for a room in someone's house, maybe even an elderly person who would give you a discount in return for some light assistance (set up their meds?; a little help with home maintenance?).

Or there are closet size spaces you can rent to sleep https://sf.curbed.com/2019/6/5/18653890/podshare-tenderloin-san-francisco-coliving-bunkbeds-startup

The truck with camper could work too but I wouldn't want to leave that setup unattended while you visit your wife in Florida (if that is the plan). You would need to find a safe parking arrangement which might involve paying rent to park the rig plus your registration, gas, maintenance, whatnot.... If it was me, I'd prefer a rental pod and flying back and forth to my palace in another state.

At age 50 and with a wife, you do need to take your wife's preferences into consideration. is she on board with a move to Nevada? Nevada is a desert.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion