I know...another one of those posts. Where to move in California?? - I'm totally open for suggestions! (San Diego: health insurance)

[rainorshine]

Hi everyone. I'm looking to move to California and I've no clue what city to choose. I'm open for any suggestions.

Here's a little bit about me and what I'm looking for, hopefully you guys can give me some suggestions on a prospective new city to call home.

- I'm 31, single, divorced mom of 2 kids (daughter 2 1/2, son 7)

What I'm looking for?
- Near the beach (no more than 15 minute drive)
- Would like to have bowling alley, arcades (do they still have them?), movies, TARGET! and a mall all close by
- Restaurants and some fast food places for a quick bite to eat (I only say this cause my mom lives in Lompoc & you have to drive like 20 minutes for a restaurant or fast food place)
- A college that has a RN Nursing program
- Schools that are rated good, obviously I would like the best but I probably can't afford that, so the higher they are rated, the better. (Elementary schools at least)
- A hospital within 30 minute drive (I work in the health care field)
- Night life! I'm trying to convince my friend to move with me. I'm sure we'll need a night or two away from the kids every so often, so places where we can go out to eat, have a few drinks, dance, maybe meet some guys/new friends

Things I don't want........
- A city with gangs (I'm sure they are everywhere but the least...the better obviously)
- Low crime rate

As for costs and housing

If my friend moves with me we'll need a 4 bedroom house and could afford $3000 a month

If she doesn't then I'll need a 3 bedroom and can afford around $1500-$2000

Is any of this even possible in California??

[Charles]

I start the search looking for the colleges with the RN nursing program and work from there as I would think that would be the limiting requirement. (Is this a four year program or two year program?)
Are you going to work while in school?

Here's a good tool: School Performance Maps

What does dad think about taking his kids away from him?

[rainorshine]

I'm looking for a 2 year RN program.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

Dad is a deadbeat, he doesn't even see his kids and has agreed to letting me take them and move out of state, it's sad really.

[meld1105]

Wow! I was really just about to post close to the exact post. I'm not single, but have 2 kids. I'm looking for the same things, but more specifically in the LA area (I've been told Woodland Hills, etc).

I work in the Health Care field as well and have been doing some research to make this move, so I'll try to come back and post anything helpful I find. I'm actually trying to determine what kind of money I can expect. I live in Boston right now and work for one of the areas biggest teaching hospitals in the credentialing dept.

-I'm curious how health insurance works in CA.
-Also, the nursing programs (I have all my prereqs done) but will most likely need to enter a 2 -4 year program as a freshman.
-do you need to work right in the city to make the best money??

I hope more people respond to your post!!!!

[sav858]

Originally Posted by rainorshine

Things I don't want........
- A city with gangs (I'm sure they are everywhere but the least...the better obviously)
- Low crime rate

Is this a typo? You don't want a "low crime rate"?

I would suggest San Diego as it's the "cheapest" (relatively) metro area on the coast and fits your needs.

[JetJockey]

You could Try Atascadero. It's about a 20 minute drive to the coast, has a few hospitals nearby (Twin Cities, Sierra Vista, French Hospital) and Cuesta College (which is in San Luis Obispo) has a great 2 year nursing program, although I've heard it is in high demand and hard to get accepted.

There is no mall in San Luis Obispo County, but SLO city has a great downtown, Paso Robles (which is about 15 minutes north of Atascadero) has a Target/WalMart etc. and a pretty nice downtown with a movie theatre and bowling alley. Crime is basically nonexistant, but there is a coke problem at Cal Poly and weed is pretty prevalent, but there really isn't any violent crime at all.

As for nightlife, you'd have to go to San Luis Obispo, but they have quite a few lounges and bars.

Try looking on Craigslist for housing prices, they have gone down quite a bit in the last couple of months.

[rainorshine]

Originally Posted by sav858

Is this a typo? You don't want a "low crime rate"?

I would suggest San Diego as it's the "cheapest" (relatively) metro area on the coast and fits your needs.

ahaha wow, yes very much so a typo. Can ya tell I'm under a bit of stress? lol

Thanks I'll check out San Diego.

[moved]

In CA, you have two choices for health insurance - you either have it through your job, or you pay for it yourself.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by moved

In CA, you have two choices for health insurance - you either have it through your job, or you pay for it yourself.

Or you go to County government services.

Originally Posted by Sorcerer68

Medical catastrophes will be taken care of by L.A. county via USC Medical Center. They took care of a 50k bill of mine once. They'll even sign you up for a health plan if you're poor.

[LenaMarie7]

Hey! I know that i'm moving to San Diego in a few months to work as a stylist while i finish my nursing....any suggestions on housing for a college student? or any suggestions at all for a Kansas girl?