America's Cities and Towns...?

I am a nursing student, due to graduate in 11 months.
I plan to work locally for a year or two and save some money to move elsewhere...I just don't know where to move to.
I currently live in northeast Pennsylvania, in a once prominant city that has fallen by the waste side dramatically since the early 1970s. The city may come back but never again to its former grand state of being. I need to get out.
My question...
Tell me about where you are. What state do you live in? What city? What is the population? What is the crime data? What does the area actually LOOK like? Is there anything notable? Are there many health care jobs? What is the average starting salary for an LPN where you live? Are you near a large lake or the ocean? What is the average cost of a 2 bedroom single family home with an attached garage? Please tell me as much about where you live as possible to help me decide where I want to settle down.
Thank you.

Seems like you live in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. I live outside Philadelphia, PA in Delaware County, PA. There is a pretty good public transportation network.

If you are going to work in the city, you may be better off using public transportation. Parking can be expensive. (((I think so, anyway.)))

I'll do my best to answer the rest of your Qs in the same order you asked them. As far as the rest of your Qs, they can be pretty easily found on-line by going to the Bureau of Vital Statistics or
http://census.gov

Population: about 1 million. About 5 million in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area.

Crime Data: That's something you have to check on. Philadelphia JUST swore in its newest mayor, Michael Nutter. He seems like someone who is truly going to do some wonderful things for the city and region! (((That's the general conclusion, anyway.)))
Mr. Nutter also appointed a new Police Commissioner.

Notable: The Birthplace of Liberty. LOTS of historic and tourist sites!

Health Care Jobs? LOTS of them! I do volunteer work at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. They have LOTS of openings for LPNs. AND there are LOTS of hospitals in the area and in Center City.

Starting salary: http://mageerehab.org/

About 1 hour to 2 hours from the Atlantic Ocean.

2-Bedroom house with attached garage: I think you might be better looking for a 3 bedroom home. They're easier to sell or rent.

Prices vary.

Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it!

VTY,
Ron Berue
Yes, that is my real last name!

1/25/08 Hi Nursing Student Ed!
Thank you very much. I鈥檓 honored my answer was chosen THE BEST!

When I received the e-mail, it REALLY helped make my day better!

Thanks again!

Very Truly Yours,
Ron Berue

Please use some suggestions by other folks answering your Q, too. Report It

South Florida needs Nurses. Google Miami, SE Florida and research the job openings. It can be expensive and a 2 bedroom, single family home would most likely be in a very old area of town or in a 55 or over enclave. 2 bedrooms with garage would probably be a town home and depending on where it was located approx. 180 and up in price...but prices are going down for now and taxes and insurance are going up. Weather is great and there is certainly an ocean. A knowledge of Spanish would be helpsul but not necessary. South Florida is a beautiful and diverse area and the crime is no worse than anywhere else. I certainly feel safe here. There is culture, art, ballet great shopping and entertainment and the people come from all over the world. If you were born here you are a minority..born in the US? still a minority..but we do get along with each other. It's young and glamorous on S. Beach and Coconut Grove Wild & Crazy or Sedate and Older it is all here. You would love it but be sure you have a good income before you make the move, it is not cheap.

Hi Nursing Student Ed,

I live in Reno, NV (Northern Nevada). Our population is less than 400,000 and never ending outdoor activities. We are 30 minutes away from Lake Tahoe and 1 hour to Sacramento, CA. We experience 300 days of sunshine and with four distinct seasons. Our city's website http://www.cityofreno.com.

You may want to start your search on http://www.rentals.com. Homes, condos, and apartments across the nation are listed there.

When you are ready to purchase or want to try a mortgage calculator, go to http://www.realestate.yahoo.com. It has maps, graphs, mortgage calculators, virtual tours, and mortgage rates.