ProviderSource Inc. - Finding the right community

Now it is time to get specific and pick the town, city or type of town or city in which you would most like to live. Here are some of the things you should consider:

• Size of community

You probably have a pretty good idea of the kind of environment where you feel most at home. Small towns appeal to some people, large cities to others. Still for others, suburban areas combine the best of both worlds. The size of the community does not necessarily correlate to the need for allied professionals. Some rural facilities have strong needs and some city hospitals have lesser needs. You should consider the kind of environment in which you will be most comfortable, productive and needed.

• Proximity of friends and family

Do you have friends or family with whom you need to stay close? What level of contact do you want to maintain? Is jumping on a plane for a visit at Thanksgiving acceptable to you and your spouse/significant other?  There are a lot of things to consider in this area. For example, consider whether your parents or in-laws will need you nearby as they advance in age. Be sure to talk openly about these things with family and friends before making a decision.

• Employment opportunities for your spouse/significant other

The question of whose career comes first is a difficult issue. The ideal move is one that benefits both careers. As a practical matter, however, this is not always possible. If your spouse/significant other has a career to consider, it is best to have frequent and open conversations about this subject. There are always trade-offs and there is a period of adjustment for both parties, but happy compromises can be worked out.

• General economic and social structure

Do you want to live in a town with predominantly blue-collar or white-collar workers or a mixture of both? Or perhaps you want to practice in a resort, agricultural, academic, metropolitan or rural community. Where will you feel comfortable? The happiest employees are those who pick an area where they can feel at home.

• Quality of schools

If you are planning to have a family or have one already, this is something to think about, even if your children are not yet old enough to go to school. The quality of schools varies dramatically from area to area. Plan to call or visit schools in your areas of interest. Find out how students perform on standardized tests. Schools often report how much money is spent per student and what the student/teacher ratios are. These facts will help you compare and contrast different school systems. We recommend keeping detailed notes on student/teacher ratios, class sizes, tracking programs, special programs, etc. Your comparison of different school districts is likely to figure prominently in your planning.

• Cultural/recreational offerings

Is there a museum nearby? A driving range? A major or minor league sports team? A good theater? Ask around. Look in the yellow pages. Make sure you have plenty of cultural and recreational options for your leisure time. If the great outdoors is more to your liking, you may want to look for opportunities away from large cities.

• Area and patient demographics

Job satisfaction is vital. Consider the area’s total population, patient population and mix. Is the area’s population able to support your presence in the practice or facility that you would like to join? Is there a particular demographic group that you would like to serve? If you have a desire to perform community service, is there a local population in need of volunteer medical attention? Make sure that the people you want to serve are available to be served. Once you have narrowed your search down to a specific town or towns, there are certain things you should research in the community. Good sources for this kind of information are your recruiter, real estate agents, the area Chamber of Commerce, and local libraries.

Of course, at any time during your search, you are welcome to call a ProviderSource representative.