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I've lived in California most of my life but, now that I've got kids & the worse out gets out here, the more I get the urge to move....So, I've been looking into places to move & came across some beautiful pictures of different towns in South Carolina & have fallen in love the with the state but, am wondering where is a good place to live? I'm in the medical field, have 2 young kids, single parent, (have housing assistance here in CA) & would like any opinions & help....thanks in advance!!!
If you are in the health field, is being near a large facility something you need? Aiken is about 20 minutes from Augusta, GA which has a large trauma center and burn center - 3 very large hospital plus Aiken has its own. Greenville seems to have a huge medical campus with GHS Health Systems. Charleston has MUSC. Columbia also has some large healthcare facilities and Florence is right outside of Columbia and also has its own hospitals. All of those areas are nice!
Compared to California, taxes here are very low and the cost of living is very low from what transplants have told me. But, your pay won't be as high as it is there because of that.
I'm a medical assistant so near a hospital is not really necessary as i usually am unable to work in them till i get my RN so, for now I'm working in doctors offices...
The fact that taxes & housing are lower is a huge factor in contemplating the move & yes i realize that pay may not be what it is here but, if I'm enjoying what i do & making a decent living while still being able to provide for my kids plus giving me more time with them, I'll be happy...
Still early on in the process so, I'm just trying to get as much info & opinions as i possibly can...
I'm a medical assistant so near a hospital is not really necessary as i usually am unable to work in them till i get my RN so, for now I'm working in doctors offices...
The fact that taxes & housing are lower is a huge factor in contemplating the move & yes i realize that pay may not be what it is here but, if I'm enjoying what i do & making a decent living while still being able to provide for my kids plus giving me more time with them, I'll be happy...
Still early on in the process so, I'm just trying to get as much info & opinions as i possibly can...
Thanks for the help!
What in the pictures do you like? Beach, valley, mountains, etc. What area did you live in in CA?
In California its very much the city area, about 30mins from the beach which i enjoy bcuz I've always loved the beach....but, what draws me to SC is the shall town feel, the green that seems to be everywhere (tho i know its not), mountains or beach doesn't make a big difference
In California its very much the city area, about 30mins from the beach which i enjoy bcuz I've always loved the beach....but, what draws me to SC is the shall town feel, the green that seems to be everywhere (tho i know its not), mountains or beach doesn't make a big difference
I grew up in Orange County. Too much traffic, cost and "diversity", not to mention the governance mess.
Be careful of small towns as many still do not accept outsiders easily. They will be nice, but "Yah ain't from here are ya" is a reality. I currently live in a small community, but near a major city, so the population is become a mix of locals and move ins from other States. Makes a BIG difference. I am looking at SC to be nearer the beach as I do miss that.
I grew up in Orange County. Too much traffic, cost and "diversity", not to mention the governance mess.
Be careful of small towns as many still do not accept outsiders easily. They will be nice, but "Yah ain't from here are ya" is a reality. I currently live in a small community, but near a major city, so the population is become a mix of locals and move ins from other States. Makes a BIG difference. I am looking at SC to be nearer the beach as I do miss that.
Charleston is the place that most cosmopolitan in SC, and would have no problem with outsiders. Also probably has a decent job picture for medical assistants.
Be prepared for the difference in pay. Neighbor is a medical assistant and has been at same location soon to be 5 years. She makes $12.32 an hour. Many doctors offices have eliminated RNs and LPNs and using medical assistants instead to cut back on their payroll.
Have you visited South Carolina? You really need to take a trip and travel around the state.
I don't think it is true that your pay will always be higher in California than in SC. I know that I personally have seen better pay rates in Greenville than I saw in the DC area despite cost of living being sky high in DC. It depends on what your occupation is and your own specific resume.
But even if you get paid less in SC you should have more money factoring in cost of living differences and taxation levels.
Anybody who still makes 12 bucks after 5 years anywhere doesn't have much of a skillset. If t hey did, they would have left and taken a job at another co mpmany that pays them what they are worth.
Be prepared for the difference in pay. Neighbor is a medical assistant and has been at same location soon to be 5 years. She makes $12.32 an hour. Many doctors offices have eliminated RNs and LPNs and using medical assistants instead to cut back on their payroll.
Have you visited South Carolina? You really need to take a trip and travel around the state.
Where I'm at now i make less than that & i work for a specialist, lol....and i agree that it depends on you're skill set & resume & what type of doctor you work for
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