Choosing where to work and live in the U.S. is a big decision. We’re here to help guide you through the process of selecting where to set down roots, so that you can get off to the best possible start in your new career as an international healthcare professional working in the United States.
One of the most important considerations when deciding where to work in the U.S. is the cost of living, which can vary substantially even between cities in the same state. It’s important to thoroughly research the cities you’re thinking about moving to.
Naturally, it’s easy to be drawn to the big cities that feature strongly in pop culture – such as Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is the home of country music, and arguably the beating heart of music culture in the U.S. It is a bright and busy city with plenty to do, and its diverse population of around 700,000 people includes celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Reese Witherspoon and more. When you’re living near the stars, you have to expect that prices will be higher.
With this in mind, many international healthcare professionals within the Conexus MedStaff community choose to start their U.S. journey in smaller, more affordable locations – such as Johnson City. Johnson City is within reach of Nashville’s vibrant culture, but offers a much more affordable way of living.
To give you a better understanding of how the cost of living varies between the two locations, this article provides a cost comparison between Nashville and Johnson City.
Nashville and Johnson City, Tennessee
Rent is a great place to start comparing costs. An apartment that would rent for $1,471 in Nashville would be around $500 cheaper in Johnson City, at about $994.[EG1] That’s a difference of 32%. The cost of energy is also cheaper in Johnson City, where you can expect to pay around $149 versus $152 in Nashville – every little helps though, so even a 2% difference will add up over time.
Below you’ll see examples of some common expenses and what they cost in each city.
Both Johnson City and Nashville have a lot to offer, with plenty to do in both. Nashville has its incredible music and arts scene, while Johnson City has stunning forests and the Appalachian mountains right on its doorstep. When it comes to quality of life though, Johnson City comes out on top in our opinion by being more affordable – and affordability is a key consideration when starting a new life in a different country.
Can I afford it?
1. Work out your approximate monthly income (taking tax into consideration). Try not to rely on too much overtime pay – a good work-life balance is important for your well-being!
2. Then, take away any non-negotiable expenses, such as health insurance costs and money put aside for emergency funds or savings.
3.Write down the essentials you’ll need each month. These expenses will form the basis for a monthly budget. Include necessities such as rent, utilities, a cellphone, internet, groceries, and so on. You may want to purchase or hire a car, or you may need to pay for public transport to work and back. Shop around online to determine [EG2] how much these things may cost in your preferred city. You’ll also want to take into consideration less frequent purchases, such as buying clothes and scrubs, haircuts, leisure activities such as a visit to the movies and so on.
4.Subtract your anticipated monthly costs from the figure in step 2. The amount you’re left with is your expendable income. This is what you can use for savings, to send money back home, for vacations – whatever you like.
You want your expendable income to be as high as possible for the best possible quality of life. If your preferred city of deployment is too expensive, then our experts will be able to suggest alternative locations where the cost of living is lower.
Can I choose where I work when I start my healthcare career in the U.S.?
We collaborate with healthcare organizations across the United States to provide opportunities for international nurses and medical technologists moving to the U.S., as well as nursing graduates on the F1 visa looking for OPT and Green Card sponsorship. Once you start working with Conexus MedStaff, we do everything we can to make sure you’re placed at a location that is a good fit for you.
To do this, we follow a placement process that takes your geographical preferences, career goals, acuity level, and other factors into consideration.
Learn more about our placement process.
How can I start working as a U.S. nurse or medical technologist?
We specialize in helping international nurses and medical technologists build a life and career they love in the United States. Getting started is simple: apply today, and someone from our team will be in touch with more information.
Source: Bankrate