Culture

Relocating isn’t something to be taken lightly.

It’s a complex process that requires a lot of heavy lifting, figuratively, and literally. 

Where will you live? What about your family? How will the move affect your finances? And then there’s the physical act of packing and actually making the move.

Where to begin … . 

Thankfully, many physicians have set off in search of greener pastures, and much has been learned from their experiences. Here’s a look at five things those physicians wish they’d known before taking their talents to new towns:

1) Reconnaissance is highly recommended

When it comes to location scouting, too much is never enough. Sure, a city might seem like the perfect relocation destination during your initial visit. After all, you’ve just been wooed by a healthcare system that seems to desperately want your services. 

And they’ve probably done a pretty good job of selling the city and all it has to offer. 

But what will you see when you start driving the streets, sipping coffee at the local cafes and sampling the cultural offerings–without the benefit of a tour guide? More importantly, what will your family see and feel? 

The more scouting trips you take, the more you’ll have a feel for the flavor of the new area, and the more you’ll be sure it’s a good fit.

2) Cost of living

Not all tax codes are created equal, and the taxes collected (or not collected) can have a major effect on your present and future quality of life. 

Before you accept a job offer that requires relocation, make sure to meet with your financial adviser so you have a clear understanding of the implications–good or otherwise. 

3) Quality of life

When it comes to relocating, the job is only one part of the equation. Quality of life matters as much and perhaps even more. 

After all, if you’re paying exorbitant taxes, living in a state that doesn’t value health care, worrying about high crime rates, or spending entirely too much time thinking about what’s wrong with the schools, government or infrastructure, you’re probably not going to be all that inspired at work. 

So take a long, hard look at the community’s quality of life before you accept the new position.  

4) The day-to-day grind

Some jobs look better on paper than they do in person. Hospitals always put their best feet forward when they’re recruiting. Your job is to figure out how much of what they’re saying is marketing and how much is reality. 

One of the best ways to figure out what the day-to-day grind will look like is to stop by the unit and see for yourself. Take a look at the pace, how people communicate and how patients are treated. 

Then ask for a list of references–current and former physicians–who can tell you about their experiences. 

The last thing you want to do is wind up with a job that leads to burnout. 

5) The intangibles 

Some things simply can’t be measured. They are your personal interests, the things for which you have the most passion. 

It could be access to world-class skiing in the winter, fishing in the spring and places to hike and bike in the summer and fall. Maybe it’s proximity to large cities, fine dining or theater. It could be opportunities to lead in the community. 

Make a list of the intangibles that matter most to you and then compare them with what is available in the community to which you’re considering relocating. 

Greener pastures are out there–and it’s up to you to find the one that’s the best fit. 

Native Americans used to call it Namaoskeag in honor of the fish that are so bountiful in the nearby rivers and ocean. Today it’s considered the “business capital” of New Hampshire, home to high-tech companies specializing in aerospace engineering and electronics.

It’s been called “plucky” for its ability to bounce back and move forward after economic downturns–but it has never forgotten its storied past. 

It’s Manchester, New Hampshire, and it’s a great place to live, work and play. 

Manchester’s origins date back to the 1700s, when colonists settled the area and began turning it into a manufacturing powerhouse. Over time, it transformed into a textile mill town, an East Coast epicenter of innovation and an axis of artistic expression.

If you ever find yourself with a few free hours in Manchester, lose yourself in these five fabulous places to know and go.

1) Take a little stroll down memory lane

There was a time in the early 1900s when Manchester was one of the nation’s premiere places for textiles. Today, you can take a look at what it may have looked like thanks to the SEE Science Center’s LEGO Millyard Project. 

According to the center, the display is the world’s largest permanent LEGO installation. The 55:1-scale, 3-million-brick project pays homage to Manchester’s heritage and gives you a little look at what downtown Manchester used to look like. 

2) Appreciate organic architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most well-respected and controversial architects of all time. His designs introduced Americans to modern, “organic architecture” that helped houses break free from the constricts of Victorian design. 

While his design principles were borne in the Midwest, he did design one house that wound up being built in New England–the Zimmerman House, which is owned and operated by an art gallery and widely considered to be a work of art in itself. 

3) Watch the wild salmon swim

Native Americans called Manchester “Namaoskeag,” which translates to “good fishing place.” Today, the city’s rivers continue to produce bountiful opportunities to enjoy and appreciate wild salmon, carp and shad.

All three species of fish can be found at the Amoskeag Fishways throughout May and June. That’s when they jump upriver on the cement “fish ladder.” Stop by the award-winning environmental education center, which is located in the heart of Manchester on the Merrimack River, and enjoy interactive exhibits as well as the excitement of the wild salmon swimming upstream. 

4) Get in touch with your wild side

It’s rare in the United States to find an outdoor oasis in the heart of an urban area. But that’s exactly what Dorrs Pond offers. 

This 25-acre fresh-water jewel is surrounded by tall trees and well-maintained trails, allowing you to get in touch with your wild side all year long. When the temperature drops and the pond’s water freezes, you can take part in some ice skating–a Manchester tradition that dates back nearly a century. 

5) Catch and up-and-coming comedian

Manchester is a funny place. If it weren’t, how else would you explain the fact that several of today’s top comedians cut their teeth in the city’s comedy clubs. 

Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, Seth Meyers and Mike O’Malley all grew up in New Hampshire and got their start in Manchester’s comedy clubs. That’s a pretty impressive fact for a city with a population of about 110,000 people.

See who else might soon be starring on the big screen by stopping by Headliners Comedy Club, where comedians from across the country–and up and down the New England coast–try to follow in the funny footsteps of those who came before them.  

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Elliot Health System is conveniently located in the thriving area of Manchester, New Hampshire. Join us!