You'll never make it in California

fiveofpeep · Dec 6, 2006

I totally disagree with you Cindy.

I have lived elsewhere--in dirty, older towns and I love Orange County. My boyfriend has lived here his whole life and has the same feeling as you. It seems like everyone who has grown up in OC shares your feelings but I am just like "what, how could you want to be anywhere else where there is crime, ****** streets, etc."

Ok so after all of this do you still want to move here to CA? If I were you I would try moving to a different part of CA and not Orange county! The rents will take up at least 1/3 of your pay check. Is that worth it, NO! I was born and raised here all my life, have a college degree (UCSD), and am getting now another in nursing and still making ends meet now with school loand and this rent is really hard. If you do not mind sharing an apartment or renting a room in a strangers house then come on down. If not look into Bakersfield, El centro (there is not much there but its still CA), Visalia (new homes for under 350,000, everywhere else 450,000 + ). Im just ttrying to help here but Im getting ready to leave to a different area. I live in San Diego (close to the same as San Francisco in rent) and I am not happy. So its your choice. And yes it is congrested so move abt 5 miles from work if not plan on driving or not really driving but sitting in traffic 1 hr each way even if you live 15 miles from owrk. Good Luck.

parisgirl · Dec 6, 2006

in LA you probably wont find anything but a 1 bedroom for 1500-at least if u want to live in an average nice place. upscale apartments can be 1800 for 1bedroom. i live in ok neighborhood (hollywood) 1 bedroom 1250-just up my street its 1700 plus for a 1 bedroom-it just depends-shop around. your take home might be around 3,400-3800/month (thats about what i make for 3 12s a week)depending how much u work-if u do nights etc...

DaveSVN · Dec 9, 2006

sure, cost of living may be high here in Cali, but I havn't heard from one nurse (RN/LVN) about their pay and managing their finances, it's been nothing but good feedback. I come from a nursing family (maybe because I'm filipino) and there's no doubt in my mind you can live very, VERY comfortably in the long run if you decide to live for a long time in southern Cali.

Best of luck to ya.

SHOOLY · Dec 12, 2006

Hello,

I'm From Cali, I Am Trying To Go Back To School For Lpn, I'm Doing Some Research, All Lpn Schools In California Are Very Expensive And I Can't Afford That Much, Is Anyone Know Some Places Who Offers Lpn As Low As 4000 Dollars?

Thanks.

pickledpepperRN · Dec 13, 2006

Hello,
I'm From Cali, I Am Trying To Go Back To School For Lpn, I'm Doing Some Research, All Lpn Schools In California Are Very Expensive And I Can't Afford That Much, Is Anyone Know Some Places Who Offers Lpn As Low As 4000 Dollars?
Thanks.

Here is a link to the accredited schools. I would try the community colleges, city colleges, and unified school district programs first.

When I went to LVN school (back in the Pleistocene) there were four year waits at the community college so I took out a loan.

Unfortunately the tuition and interest rates on school loans are much higher now.

California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians

Pachinko · Dec 14, 2006

I just moved to California and started my first nursing job. I'm making around $29/hour and seeing about 55-60% of my gross income in my paychecks. Consider that taxes, parking (if you pay for it), union dues (if you have a union) , etc. will be taken out. It's really not enough to stretch, especially if you have debt. I'm thinking I will have to work A LOT of per diem (if I can find a per diem job that pays decently) in order to get ahead.

lovelymoon · Dec 14, 2006

I am sick of people telling me this!! Its realy discouraging and when you hear it so many times you start to believe it. I'm going to be graduating from nursing school in may and I plan on moving to CA sometime before september to work as a new grad.
I live in pa right now and I'm going to pack up all my stuff and relocate. I might be moving with 2 friends, but I'm not really sure about it. I might end up just living by myself for a while. A lot of people tell me that I'll never make it because its sooo expensive.
I'm going to be living in the orange county area. When people start with all this negative talk about how expensive CA is and how congested it gets on my nerves.
It is possible for someone to live in an apartment and work at a hospital in Orange county and live comfortably correct? I won't be pinching pennies will I?

HELLO AND WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA YOU WILL BE FINE $$ ITS ALL ABOUT MANAGEMENT. JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE YOU GO ITS EXPENSIVE.

I HAVE A 28,30 AND 35 YEAR OLD WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR LIVING ON THEIR OWN RAISEING THEIR FAMILYS. ALMOST NEVER DO THEY ASK FOR FINANCIAL HELP.THEY WORK HARD. THE 28 YEAR OLD ATTENDS A UNIVERSITY AND WORKS PART TIME AS A SOCAIL WORKER, SHE MANAGES TO PAY HER BILLS ENCLUDING A $300.00 CAR PYMT.

YOU WON'T STARVE!!!!!!! THERE ARE TO MANY JOBS OUT HERE! DISNEYLAND AND KNOTTS HIRE YEAR AROUND:D HEHEHE. THE HOSPITALS ARE ALWAYS HIREING AND HOME HEALTH AGENCYS ARE ALWAYS IN NEED. SOMETIMES TO MUCH FEED BACK FROM OTHER CAN CONFUSE YOU, SO LISTEN TO YOUR SOUL

YOU WILL MAKE IT AND GLAD YOU MADE THE CHANGE

GOOD LUCK

LOVELYMOON:welcome:

Agnus · Dec 15, 2006

So all the people living in California myself included we are not making it? Have you heard about crabs in a bucket? When one tries to climb out the others try to pull it back down.

You can tell your friends I have lived in Pensylvania and California. Quite frankly I am much better off financially than I ever was in Pensylvania. Since I am guessing those whe are telling you this have never lived in California why even give them the time a day.

Of course you can make it here and you can thrive here. Nurses are in very high demand and we make a nice salary. Don't worrry about the cost of living taxes etc. because your salary will be higher and because of the taxes (as I recall PA taxes were not exactly low) because you get a return on your taxes that is not experienced in Pensylvania in terms of the benefits that result from your taxes.

Agnus · Dec 15, 2006

Thanks for all your help everyone! I was looking on craigslist just to browse and I found some nice apartments. My whole thing is I want something thats spacious, 2 bedrooms at the least -maybe 3. I want a pool outside, either washer and dryer in teh apartment or washer and dryer hookup and some utilities paid. I guess I'm pretty picky!
i just don't want to be living in a little box. if i'm paying over $1,500 i want something a little bit more spacious.
Does anyone know if theres any way to contact nursing recruiters through email? I'd like to talk to some of them to get more information about the new grad programs and I hate calling because i forget what I want to ask when I'm on the phone and i forget what they tell me.

Don't worry about utilities we do not have the heating cost that eat you alive in PA. Sewer, water and garbage should (thought not always) be included automatically. In the Worst months my combined utility bill was less than $150. Most months like now for example it is under $50. i have a 2 bedroom town house 1000 sq feet.

Tami707 · Dec 17, 2006

I just have to add my two cents. I've lived in Cali my entire life. I'm currently in Nursing school, my husband is our sole support and we are raising two kids on less than $35,000/yr in a rental house in Northern California. We literally scrape by each month. BUT, when I graduate, I know that my starting pay will be at least $40/hr. and life will be much easier. California is doable. I can't even think of living anywhere else, it is definately, to me, the most beautiful place on the earth. Good luck, you CAN do it.

fiveofpeep · Dec 19, 2006

you know what I think is lame...

my mom is a new grad in nor cal and makes almost 40 an hr and her brand new home cost 450k

but in oc you start at 28 an hr and the homes cost 650k and then there is HOA fees etc. I get depressed when I think about it, but Im sure as long as I get married eventually I will be able to afford living here. Being single and not having a combined income is what makes it unlivable--and only if you want to buy a home.

Sheri257 · Dec 19, 2006

you know what I think is lame...
my mom is a new grad in nor cal and makes almost 40 an hr and her brand new home cost 450k
but in oc you start at 28 an hr and the homes cost 650k and then there is HOA fees etc. I get depressed when I think about it, but Im sure as long as I get married eventually I will be able to afford living here. Being single and not having a combined income is what makes it unlivable--and only if you want to buy a home.

I don't mean to sound like a broken record but, not all of us live in expensive areas like OC and the Bay Area and pay half a million for a house. I'm very happy financially in Cali.

I live out in the desert, I bought my house for $150K, my fixed 30 year mortgage is less than $1200 a month and I'll be making $45 an hour, with benefits, after I pass the NCLEX and become an RN. Within a year or so I'll be making $50 an hour with benefits.

Yes, I will have a 45 minute commute but, for that money it's worth it. For me, at least, California is still the golden state.

:typing