From Minneapolis to Houston (Center, Howe: transplants, apartment, rent)

[Lemeera]

Hey there
I really really need help. I just graduated with my BSN in Minneapolis and was looking for opportunities. Not only have i never liked it here (people are not very "open" and the weather is to the freezing point), but also, there are not many openings in nursing in the twin cities.
Now i was thinking of moving to Houston Texas. There are so many medical facilities there that i know it won't be a problem to find a job. But i heard the weather is just as crabby as it is here, except it's unbearably hot. Do you think a Minnesotan can survive that?
Also, If i decide to move there, where do you think would be the best place for a new female grad nurse to live? Somewhere near the hospitals? I heard the areas near downtown are ghetto, unsafe and very expensive. However, i don't want to live 1hour away and be stuck in traffic either. i am looking to spend about $700 for a 2bedroom apt (I just graduated...im still broke...). Do you think that's reasonable and if yes where can i find a place that is safe enough and not too ghetto around that price range?
Thank you for helping!

[colcat]

Yes, the weather is unbearably hot and humid for about half the year. However, I know many people from that area that moved here and love it.(there are more reasons than weather to enjoy living somewhere) I have been a nurse for 3 years and I have to say that it is not easy getting a job as a new grad. Make sure you have a job before you move. As far as your limit on how much you can spend for an apartment, $700.00 for a two bedroom is going to be challenging in a nice area. Not impossible, but challenging. Good luck!

[MNCold]

I'm from Mpls and I'm suprised to hear that there are not many nursing opportunities in MN. I'm guessing that you're having a hard time finding job there because you're a new grad. You will face similar challenges in Houston.
Please do get a job before making your move. It is not wise to not have a job before moving here.

Houston is very big and traffic is bad. You will want to live where you job is. Get a job and then you can decide. The area near downtown is not all ghetto. There are really nice area near downtown but you won't be able to afford with your budget. Unlike Minneapolis, rent is quite high in a nice area near downtown in Houston.

[Nairobi]

I don't think people understand the meaning of the word "unbearable". If something is truly unbearable, then that means that it's impossible for you to bear. If that were the case, people would be dropping like flies, left and right, from the heat. Obviously, that isn't the case, so unpleasantly hot and humid is the best way to describe Houston's summers.

Everyone's different, but even many transplants find that some people exaggerate just how difficult it is to deal with; especially when you consider the fact that the majority of the people here spend most of their day in air conditioned spaces. Everyone isn't walking around looking like wet, frizzy-haired dogs. If anything, May-September weather simply discourages outdoor activity, as it's just too uncomfortable to be outside for an extended period of time.

[DanielWayne]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

I don't think people understand the meaning of the word "unbearable". If something is truly unbearable, then that means that it's impossible for you to bear. If that were the case, people would be dropping like flies, left and right, from the heat. Obviously, that isn't the case, so unpleasantly hot and humid is the best way to describe Houston's summers.

Everyone's different, but even many transplants find that some people exaggerate just how difficult it is to deal with; especially when you consider the fact that the majority of the people here spend most of their day in air conditioned spaces. Everyone isn't walking around looking like wet, frizzy-haired dogs. If anything, May-September weather simply discourages outdoor activity, as it's just too uncomfortable to be outside for an extended period of time.

Very true. Even in the dead of summer - city workers are still out in the middle of the day paving roads, children still play outdoors, and occasionally you will see joggers at 1pm. It's unpleasant, but for most folks it ain't gonna kill you.

[David Dollar]

Houston is hot and uncomfortable over half the year. People who say that you get used to it are incorrect, but you can deal with it. The areas near/around downtown are not the ghetto areas. Well, there are some but not Midtown, the Medical Center, Montrose, the Heights, etc. $700 is gonna get you a pretty run down place. They are around, but you have to look for them and be willing to have somewhat low standards. People here are gonna be so different from what you find up there. Yankees are so cold and emotionless compared to us.

[njb5112]

There are some nice places in SW Houston, easy commute to the medical center. I live in a place that is all bills paid and has 2 bedrooms for $795, so you can find decent housing. Because we are so flat and spread out, housing here is cheaper than in many older geographically limited cities.

You will learn to adjust to the heat and humidity. The thing about summer here is you are never sure when or if it really ends. I've worn shorts and had the AC on on Christmas day more times than I care to remember.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by David Dollar

Houston is hot and uncomfortable over half the year. People who say that you get used to it are incorrect, but you can deal with it.

Those are just your opinions, Dave, and you know that. I would not describe Houston as being uncomfortable for most of the year, and many people do get used to the heat.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by njb5112

I've worn shorts and had the AC on on Christmas day more times than I care to remember.

I can't imagine why. Most Christmas Days in Houston are considerably cool.

[jasonamd]

I'm originally from southern MN and moved it TX in 1992. Been in Houston since 2003. You definitely get used to the heat and humidity. Is it still uncomfortable? Of course. But it doesn't bother me nearly as much as when I first moved here. And now when it gets in the 30s here I'm freezing and cranking up the heat whereas when I lived in MN when it was in the 30s it didn't seem cold. So yes, people can get used to the weather where they live.