Another one moving to the area... (Long Beach, Fortuna: apartments, rent, insurance)

[JnCrWe]

Hello everyone.

My name is John, and I'm currently an EMT-Basic in Shreveport/Bossier City, LA. For various reasons, I'd like to move to the Long Beach area some time in the near future.

Although I'm not opposed to trying for a general job, I would like to know if there are opportunities for EMTs in the area. It'd be nice if there were places that could offer at least $2000/mo take home, as I think I could cover everything with that, at least for a little while. I'm also, for the record, willing to work a second job part time, again at least for a bit.

Assuming my auto insurance stays roughly the same there as it is here (Louisiana auto insurance is pretty high, but I've heard that it's somewhat expensive in the LA area as well), my basic bills without rent will be around $700. I've seen studio/1b apartments and such that run around $600-800, which is about the same as here, except so many there seem to include utilities and even furniture (very difficult to find either of those features in Shreveport). If I can get that set up, then, although things will be tight, I think it'll be doable.

I checked into Patriot Ambulance, which might work if they offer good overtime. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be up to actually driving an ambulance for a while as I'm not too familiar with the streets around there. An evening or night job as an ER tech or something would be better, but probably has a lower chance of offering adequate pay.

Any information will be appreciated, even if it's just to tell me to forget about it.

Thank you all in advance.

[Charles]

Like you wrote, it depends on getting a job.

In the meantime, check out HousingMaps

In Long Beach, compared to Louisiana (I almost wrote LA, which on this forum would be confusing), your heating and A/C can be pretty low since Long Beach has perfect weather.

[JnCrWe]

Thanks for the link.

Yeah, the job's the thing. I suppose my main question should be stated as, "What's the job market there for EMTs?" Although there are probably other forums that are more likely able to provide that information.

After looking it over some more, I may have to just do the two jobs thing at least for a while. Fortunately I have a good excuse in that it'll take a while for me to establish residency for going to school. While doing that, all I'll really need to do is work and get some sleep, with a bit of socializing on the side.