23 year old single male looking for a change of scenery. (Houston: to rent, credit)

[italian2147]

Okay everyone here is the deal, I am currently living in Georgia which I moved to with my parents about 3 years ago. I was born and raised on Long Island, New York before moving away from my hometown at the age of 20 cause my father retired after 21 years as an NYPD detective. We ended up in Georgia so we can take care of my grandparents. A little about me would be to explain that after moving here to Georgia I thought becoming a firefighter was going to be the best thing that could ever happen to me which turns out was a horrible idea cause ever since becoming a firefighter and being on the job for 2 years i realized the profession is just not for me. This lead to me finally realize how much I enjoy the medical field so I am deciding to pursue a nursing degree once i figure out where I want to live and to eventually reach my ultimate goal of becoming a CRNA. I have really been looking into the Austin Texas area (more specifically Bell county area). I have been looking at the housing prices and the cost of living and it is so nice honestly the houses and it costs so little compared to a lot of other states which really brings me in. Now the reason why i am on this forum is cause I don't want to end up making the wrong decision of moving to Texas cause I know that once I move this will be where I m stuck out for majority of my career. Was just looking if someone can give me some good advice of the PROS and CONS of living in Texas? Thanks everyone!

[ashbeeigh]

You may want to post this in the general Texas forum. Bell county is a bit out of the Austin metro area for many solid answers for you.

[A-Tex]

Bell county is nowhere near or anything like Austin. I'm going to make a guess here, but if you don't enjoy Atlanta and you liked the city, you'll hate it there.

[hts]

Why would you think you'd be stuck here? CRNA's might be one of the most transferrable/relocatable professions I can think of. The demand far exceeds the supply.

I guess if I were in your shoes I might first figure out how/where I'm going to obtain my nursing degree, then my CRNA (there are no CRNA programs in Austin--there are 5 accredited programs in Texas--4 if you don't want to go into the military).

And what are the chances that those 4 are right for you? There are approximately 114 CRNA programs in the US--my guess is that you'll more than likely end up in one not located in Tejas. Good luck.

[Longhorn Al]

Bell County may only be 2 counties away, but that's 70 miles from the center of Austin to Temple or Killeen. There's not much to do in that area. Austin is likely more suited for a 23 year old, but the cost of living could be a deal-breaker. 70 miles isn't too bad if you plan on living/working in Bell, then enjoying Austin on your time off.

[italian2147]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

You may want to post this in the general Texas forum. Bell county is a bit out of the Austin metro area for many solid answers for you.

Thank you and will probably do that.

[Denver303TJC]

I think too you could perhaps fly into the DFW area and rent a car and drive to Austin and perhaps from there Houston, then drive Houston to DFW. I know that seems like a lot of driving, but in the end it's not a horrific amount and also you'd get to see three of the well-known cities in TX. I think like most other cities in the nation, housing prices are fairly high in all three cities, but there are still good enough areas in each. If you've never been to TX, it's hard to say which you'd like best. I know all three cities would have nursing jobs, but the pay would probably be better in DFW and Houston.

I guess though it depends which city really clicks with you. If you don't want to rent a car, you can also take the Megabus and AFAIK it still goes from Dallas to Austin, and I'd imagine Austin to Houston. If you want a smaller city, perhaps San Marcos might be a decent bet (somewhat near Austin).

[JH6]

Pay is going to be higher in Dallas or Houston, and expenses are going to be lower.

Dallas has more winter, and Houston has more flooding rain (in my opinion).

Austin has the best looking natural features of the 3 cities by far.

I agree, fly into DFW and spend a few days in each city and see what you like best.

Houston is closest to the water.

[impulsivetravelerguy]

How often do you plan to be in actual Austin. Bell County is a long distance away. If you plan on being in Austin on a regular basis, it's going to get old very fast with the amount of traffic and congestion.

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

Originally Posted by italian2147

Okay everyone here is the deal, I am currently living in Georgia which I moved to with my parents about 3 years ago. I was born and raised on Long Island, New York before moving away from my hometown at the age of 20 cause my father retired after 21 years as an NYPD detective. We ended up in Georgia so we can take care of my grandparents. A little about me would be to explain that after moving here to Georgia I thought becoming a firefighter was going to be the best thing that could ever happen to me which turns out was a horrible idea cause ever since becoming a firefighter and being on the job for 2 years i realized the profession is just not for me. This lead to me finally realize how much I enjoy the medical field so I am deciding to pursue a nursing degree once i figure out where I want to live and to eventually reach my ultimate goal of becoming a CRNA. I have really been looking into the Austin Texas area (more specifically Bell county area). I have been looking at the housing prices and the cost of living and it is so nice honestly the houses and it costs so little compared to a lot of other states which really brings me in. Now the reason why i am on this forum is cause I don't want to end up making the wrong decision of moving to Texas cause I know that once I move this will be where I m stuck out for majority of my career. Was just looking if someone can give me some good advice of the PROS and CONS of living in Texas? Thanks everyone!

Belton is a ways from Austin but its only about 30 miles from Georgetown and about 40 miles to Round Rock. Georgetown and Round Rock are both in Austin metro.
Round Rock has some good hospitals, and if I understand correctly, Texas A&M University is building a big medical school there.

Have you thought about checking out the city of Temple, TX? It's right down the road from Belton and has a population of about 70,000. Where Belton ends is where Temple begins and vice-a-versa. There's a big hospital in Temple. Baylor Scott and White Hospital I believe is the name of it and it's ranked among the best hospitals in the nation.

You might wanna look at Waco also. I think it's about 30 miles to Temple.