How is the healthcare industry there? I'm a respiratory therapist and I've been thinking about moving to Chicago

[khuds85]

I live in Charlotte, NC right now and there are just two hospital systems here, you would have to drive far away to another city if you didn't want to work for either healthcare system. The benefits aren't that great at either one of them either and the pay isn't that great either. I'm thinking about going to nursing school before I move there though. I've been wanting to switch to nursing for a while.

[kyle19125]

Chicago is one of the top medical cities in the US. There are a number of different options to choose from and from my personal experience would choose one of the university hospitals or perhaps consider starting as a respiratory therapist and when your full benefits kick in, investigate their nursing program at a reduced tuition amount and the ability to stay on part-time doing RT.

Check out:

Rush University Medical Center
https://www.joinrush.org/

Northwestern U Hospital
https://www.nm.org/locations/northwe...orial-hospital

U of Illinois Medical Center
https://hospital.uillinois.edu/about-ui-health

U of Chicago Medical Centers
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/

[movin1]

Look at the cost of living and weather in Chicago before you move. Property taxes are high and it's an expensive city to live in. You will want to live fairly close to where you work or deal with commuting, so make sure you know where you might live. You might make more money, but it will cost you more to live there. I lived near Chicago most of my life and moved there when I retired. I got tired of the traffic and weather soon after moving. Take a look at the current homeless and crime stats. I love Chicago, but wouldn't want to live there. It's a huge and beautiful city, but IMO, you need to make a lot of money to enjoy what it has to offer. It takes a certain type of person to like living in big cities.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by movin1

Look at the cost of living and weather in Chicago before you move. Property taxes are high and it's an expensive city to live in. You will want to live fairly close to where you work or deal with commuting, so make sure you know where you might live. You might make more money, but it will cost you more to live there. I lived near Chicago most of my life and moved there when I retired. I got tired of the traffic and weather soon after moving. Take a look at the current homeless and crime stats. I love Chicago, but wouldn't want to live there. It's a huge and beautiful city, but IMO, you need to make a lot of money to enjoy what it has to offer. It takes a certain type of person to like living in big cities.

The OP is likely renting and from that perspective the cost-of-living differential from Charlotte is minimal and very likely compensated for with income.

[movin1]

https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate...ng-calculator/

If you make $50K/yr in Charlotte, you need to make $58,790 in Chicago.

The overall cost of living is 17.58% higher in Chicago.

Housing cost is a lot different, especially rent.

Apartment Rent Charlotte: $1,484.00 Chicago: $3,081.00

Home Price $414,269.00 $540,091.00

[GWoodle]

Originally Posted by khuds85

I live in Charlotte, NC right now and there are just two hospital systems here, you would have to drive far away to another city if you didn't want to work for either healthcare system. The benefits aren't that great at either one of them either and the pay isn't that great either. I'm thinking about going to nursing school before I move there though. I've been wanting to switch to nursing for a while.

Chicago is one of the top hospital systems in the country. From Charlotte maybe you can get references if you want to move. Several options for a university nursing training centers.

For respiratory therapy should be may centers.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by movin1

https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate...ng-calculator/

If you make $50K/yr in Charlotte, you need to make $58,790 in Chicago.

The overall cost of living is 17.58% higher in Chicago.

Housing cost is a lot different, especially rent.

Apartment Rent Charlotte: $1,484.00 Chicago: $3,081.00

Home Price $414,269.00 $540,091.00

The average rent number for Chicago is way off. You can find a desirable 1/1 apartment in the better neighborhoods in Chicago for under $1400 a month. Here's a link to 300+ of them..

https://www.apartments.com/apartment...lhq_-xJq9_5klD

[khuds85]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Chicago is one of the top medical cities in the US. There are a number of different options to choose from and from my personal experience would choose one of the university hospitals or perhaps consider starting as a respiratory therapist and when your full benefits kick in, investigate their nursing program at a reduced tuition amount and the ability to stay on part-time doing RT.

Check out:

Rush University Medical Center
https://www.joinrush.org/

Northwestern U Hospital
https://www.nm.org/locations/northwe...orial-hospital

U of Illinois Medical Center
https://hospital.uillinois.edu/about-ui-health

U of Chicago Medical Centers
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/

Thank you, I will look into this!

[khuds85]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

The average rent number for Chicago is way off. You can find a desirable 1/1 apartment in the better neighborhoods in Chicago for under $1400 a month. Here's a link to 300+ of them..

https://www.apartments.com/apartment...lhq_-xJq9_5klD

Yes, I have found a lot of studios and one bedrooms for great prices.

[Chicago-guy]

I am a tech. Chicago is one of the best places to be in the medical field. You could quit every year for a decade and still have options.

Deep in the city, out in the middle burbs, or deep in the outskirts. There will be a hospital with jobs