relocation

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. 

New Hampshire is 266 miles from New York City. You can catch a nonstop flight at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and arrive in the Granite State just about two hours later. Making it to Manchester, New Hampshire, from the West Coast (or Europe) will takes just about half a day in a jet. 

But regardless of where your journey begins, one thing is for sure: It’s worth taking a trip to New Hampshire if you’re considering physician relocation. 

There are a lot of states across the United States that are suffering from physician shortages. So they’re rolling out the red carpet, putting their best feet forward and working hard to recruit doctors. 

But when it comes to relocating for your medical career, no other area of the country can compete with New Hampshire. 

Here’s a look at why taking the time to explore New Hampshire is worth the trip–no matter how far you have to travel:

For your finances

Medscape, the venerable online news-gathering organization focused on delivering the most accurate information possible to physicians, publishes an annual list of the best places to practice. 

Last year, only one Northeastern state made the cut in terms of physician compensation: New Hampshire. 

Medscape pointed out that the average compensation for doctors in the Granite State was $322,000, second in the entire country (behind North Dakota). New Hampshire also has the second-lowest cost of living, the lowest physician density in New England, no income tax and no sales tax. 

Add it all up, and physician relocation to New Hampshire makes a lot of sense for your finances. 

For your family

Of course finances are only one factor when it comes to choosing a new place to practice. All the money in the world won’t do you any good if your family isn’t safe, well-educated and comfortable. 

That’s another reason why New Hampshire is worth the trip. 

Stay Work Play is an organization with an agenda. It wants to encourage people to “stay in, come to, or boomerang back to New Hampshire.”

And there’s a good reason to consider their sales pitch: The quality of life in New Hampshire is among the best in the entire country.  

According to Stay Work Play, the state consistently ranks in the top three when eight different national quality of life rankings are compiled and considered. 

The criteria include high school graduation rates, family well-being, tax climate, health, livability and per capita income. 

These are all things that make moving to New Hampshire well worth the trip. 

For every physician

New Hampshire’s motto is “live free or die,” and the people who live, work and play in the state take it quite seriously. 

The state does things a little differently than most others in the country–and that’s a good thing for physicians. 

There is an innovative spirit that is part of the rich and creative tapestry of a state that touches the sea, stretches to the Canadian border, is full of forests, thriving cities, manufacturing, Fortune 500 companies and some of the most forward-thinking healthcare professionals in the world. 

The way that New Hampshire embraces innovation is just one of the reasons relocating to New Hampshire makes sense. 

It’s a place where anything is possible for physicians. It’s a place where hospitals and healthcare systems embrace technology, connect with their communities and receive national recognition for the way they care for patients and do business.

Whether you’re in the East, Midwest, West overseas, take the time to take a look at New Hampshire. 

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Ready to apply for a physician career in New Hampshire? Consider Elliot Health System.

Physician relocation involves all the usual considerations plus a particular concern. “What are the three key success factors for a restaurant?” The answer applies with even greater force to a doctor who is moving: location, location, and location.

Physician relocation requires consideration of real estate values, schools for your children, back yard to play or entertainment, a community where your family fits in, religious involvement, property taxes, even parking (viz., New York city), etc.

But a doctor has a special problem—not unique in type, but certainly unique in scope. Persons with commercial or political authority often have more demands on their time than there are hours in the workday. Thus, by that logic, a doctor has more time demands in a day than their alotted twenty-four hours.

Physician relocation forces you to ask: Will I be there for my husband or wife? Can I get to my child’s soccer game? How can I make myself available for my patients when they need me? How many dinner dates will I miss or cut short because of a patient emergency? How will I find time to exercise? Is there such a thing as time for me?!

Reality is this. You cannot expect to see your child play soccer in between patients. Your marriage will suffer if your spouse always comes last. You will become overweight and unhealthy if you don’t exercise. And of course, you cannot say, “Call me in the morning,” to a patient with chest pain.

If you carry a beeper, your time is not your own.

What does this have to do with physician relocation? Answer: the one factor over which you have control is wasted time, especially travel.

Physician relocation requires you to find a place to live that minimizes the various (wasted) travel times, not only from home to work but from home to exercise or from work to child’s school or other activity. This may require negotiation with your spouse. The key is explaining how your location choice can benefit him or her.

Which lifestyle do you want? That’s the real question. 

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Elliot Health System is located in beautiful New Hampshire where the recreational opportunities are incredible. Would you like to learn more about them? If so, please download our free guide. 

Making a move into the heart of the Manchester, New Hampshire area has many appeals. There is a rich and vibrant history here to be experienced. There are plenty of outdoor experiences that are local or within a couple of hours distance. There is so much to offer in this region that it would be beyond description to fit it all here. But, here are some great outdoor adventures in New England to consider for those who have a great love of being active. 

Rip Roaring Fun on a Zip Line
Imagine hanging free with your arms and legs stretched out as you glide through the air speeding along a cable at high speed. This exciting activity gets you above the tree canopy for a grand view of the countryside. 

The Bretton Woods Canopy Tour is one of the most intensive and exciting zip line outdoor adventures in New England. This tour near Mount Washington is the longest zip line in New England, and it operates year round. Travel time from Manchester is about an hour and a half by car. 

Skiing and Snowboarding Adventures
The New England states are the foundation of American skiing and the origin of snowboarding. There are many ski resorts throughout the entire region offering some of the best skiing in the whole country. So whether you want to make a drop down a black diamond chute or mosey along the bunny slope, there are plenty of locations for you to choose. 

New Hampshire – Features ten excellent ski resorts upstate from Manchester. 
Maine – Sports two resorts, which boast being open longer than all other New England resorts. 
Vermont– Features not only the most 2000′ vertical slopes in the region but more miles of cross-country trails than any other ski region. 
New York – While technically not considered part of New England, this part of upstate New York is not more than a few hours west of New Hampshire and offers 27 great resorts, including Lake Placid, home of the Winter Olympics in 1980.

Walking and Hiking New England
Perhaps the most relaxing way to experience some outdoor adventures in New England during time off is taking breathtaking walks or some trail hiking. Head up to the White Mountains and choose from a variety of scenic trails that vary in difficulty from easy to difficult. 

For a little more adventure consider the breathtaking views along the Appalachian Trail. New Hampshire provides 161 miles of in-state trail with more miles above the tree line than anywhere else on this 2,200-mile trail that spans from Georgia to Maine. 

Cycling Near Manchester
If you prefer some outdoor adventures in New England, that is closer to home then cycling the moderate difficulty 26 mile Rockingham Recreational Trail from Manchester to the village of Newfield. 

If you want something a little easier and flat that the whole family can enjoy then consider taking a day along the Northern Rail Trail, which meanders, through farms and past ponds. 

New England Beaches
Perhaps you would like to pursue a more relaxing day off by heading to the beaches along the New England coastline. Although New Hampshire has only 18 miles of shoreline along the coast, Hampton Beach State Park is a popular destination. Of course, there are many other beaches such as Martha’s Vinyard, Cape Cod National Seashore, or Nantucket. 

Discover New England has many other outdoor activities to consider, making Manchester such a beautiful place to live and play, and working for Elliot Health System a unique opportunity for employment. 

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Are you still hungry for more adventure ideas? 

The stress of moving is indisputable. Packing years’ worth of possessions, changing all of the digital information that keeps a household running, adjusting your family’s routine to a new schedule, new environment, new friends–it has the potential to add up to one big headache. As a physician, taking a new position to further your career can be tempting, but if that career change also involves relocating, you have many factors to think about beyond the benefits of the job itself.

Consider the following trade-offs of relocating for a physician career:

1. The Benefits of the Job:
   In addition to a competitive salary, are there other benefits that the potential new job can offer you and your family? Will you be provided retirement packages, excellent healthcare options, or savings programs? Is there childcare available, and will the company offer a relocation package to defer the hidden costs and headaches of moving? These are just some of the questions you should explore when thinking of relocating for your career. Think long term.
2. The Complete Community:
   Presumably, you will not be working 24 hours a day, but will desire to keep a healthy balance between your work and personal life. Depending on how you spend your down time, investigate all that the community has to offer you. Whether you are looking for a place of worship, opportunities for recreation and physical exercise, or arts and entertainment, you want to be sure the new area you are moving to has all of the appeal of the place you currently call home–and more!
3. The Unexpected Perks: It may seem like a small thing, but the reality is that any way you can save money in today’s economy will ultimately lead to a solid financial tradeoff for those who know their options. Compare, for example, the income and sales taxes of your current and future states. Find out if the cost of living is the same or if you will potentially save money. Does your new career include vacation time or employee assistance programs? Think outside of the box to really investigate and get a full picture of what your relocation may look like.
4. The A to Z of Housing:
   One potential tradeoff of relocating for a physician’s job is the opportunity to choose a new housing situation that matches your new need. Maybe you have been living in too big of a house for your need, and you’re really just looking for a small apartment or townhouse. Or maybe the opposite is true–it’s time to add on some space, to better accommodate your growing family situation. Moving certainly gives you a complete picture of the housing situation available to you in the new community and the chance to explore every option until you get just the right place for you and your family.

At Elliot Health System, we are dedicated to helping you make a smooth transition into joining not only our community of healthcare providers but our local population at large. We believe that the trade-offs of relocating to New Hampshire to join our team far outweigh the stress of moving. Contact us today if you are interested in learning more about what Elliot Health System has to offer a physician who is looking to make a transition to a new career.

You’ve done all of the research, considered every option, and now you’ve decided that Elliot Health System is definitely the right choice for the next move in your career as a physician. Congratulations! You are now an important part of the largest complete healthcare system in Southern New Hampshire, with a Mission and Vision to INSPIRE wellness, HEAL our patients, and SERVE with compassion in every interaction.

Making the decision to relocate (especially to another state) can have many hidden stressors. It doesn’t, however, have to leave you stressed out during this exciting time of your life. There are ways to prepare for the move that will ensure a smooth transition; here are 5 simple tips to make your relocation process easy, and allow you to keep your sanity:

1. Basic Paperwork Saves Headaches:
Make a chart of every utility that you will need to cancel in your current location, and a separate list of each utility that will need to be connected in your soon-to-be new home. Include contact information (websites and phone numbers) and pertinent dates. Also, make a note to change your address no less than 2 weeks ahead of the scheduled move date. Remembering this step will prevent you from the headache of lost mail, misdirected information, and confusion.
2. To Hire a Moving Company:
Many people find it easiest to simply hire a moving company to come in and pack and move all of their possessions. While this can be a cost-effective tradeoff for your time, be aware that there can also be some pitfalls to hiring strangers to move your household. Hidden costs, odd rules, and impersonal approach to handling your families’ valuables are just some of the things to consider as reasons against letting a moving company do your heavy lifting–still, you can’t argue that not having to box things up late into the night does sound like a dream come true. Only you can decide which option is best for your case. Elliot Health System can assist in making recommendations if you are considering this option.

3. …Or not (Using Your Friends’ Help Without Losing Friends):
If the risks of a moving company are too great, asking friends and family to help in this daunting task is always an excellent (and usually free!) way to get assistance. It is important to remember that you want to maintain good relationships after the moving date. Using their help without losing your friends depends on you keeping in mind that their time and resources are just as valuable as yours. Use their time wisely and efficiently. Also, keep them from being hungry and thirsty–even if it’s just takeout granola bars and bottles of water, a fed friend is a happy helper.

4. Stay Organized and Clean:
Staying organized is as easy as labeling accurately (maybe even keeping a running list of what items are in which box), wrapping efficiently (plastic wrap does wonders for holding smaller objects together), and maintaining a system that works for you (do your research, there are plenty of options available for every personality type). One final thought: whether you are renting or selling, it is critical that your old living space is left cleaned and tidy. This is not only a matter of respect, but can often be the difference between getting your deposit back or not.

5. Relax:
Obstacles will reveal themselves. This simplest advice may be the best of all. Don’t allow the bumps along the way to cause you to lose sight of the fun in the journey. Becoming a part of the Elliot Health System is an adventure waiting to happen!

If you haven’t already considered a career with Elliot Health System, you can check out our open positions below.

Thinking of relocating for a better physician job? There are many good reasons you might want to pursue an opportunity outside your local community – even in another state or on the other side of the country. As with any other profession though, it’s important to consider all the facts before you make a decision. A big move can be challenging, but it might be the best choice you can make.

Let’s consider three main reasons physicians relocate for a job:

1. Lower Insurance Costs or Regulatory Burden
Although much of a physician’s overhead comes from federal mandates, each state has its own complexities that add to the mix. Many physicians find that they are in a difficult position in their home state and may even face difficulties paying off student loans within a reasonable timeframe. If this describes you, it’s important to look at both the salary you stand to earn and the out-of-pocket expenses required by your new practice area. Finding an employer dedicated to competitive compensation can help lighten the load and support your long-term goals.

2. Stronger Support Network and Physician Benefits
Physicians face unique professional challenges and don’t always have the luxury of leaving their work behind when they’re done for the day. When an employer’s benefits are both creative and comprehensive, they promote a much healthier work environment for all medical professionals. Perks like an employee assistance program, direct deposit, an on-site cafeteria, and other benefits can help you feel more secure: You know you’ll have resources at your fingertips even in times of trouble. Of course, some physicians simply “click” better with certain work environments, improving their performance and morale.

3. Improved Quality of Living and Personal Well-Being
Naturally, there are some things that can’t be quantified so easily. You might want to move to a certain area to be closer to your family or friends, for example. You might find a certain community is the right size or has the right amenities for your lifestyle. Or you might simply enjoy the climate, architecture, history, culture, or “feel” of a certain place. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to listen to these gut feelings about what will work best for you. Sometimes, change is good for its own sake – and having a good job lined up will help promote stability in your new home.

Elliot Health System of Manchester, New Hampshire is changing the way physicians and their families think about work. Our flagship location, Elliot Hospital, has provided Southern New Hampshire with over a century of service. Now, we’re taking the lead in extending that spirit of service to our physicians and their loved ones through robust benefits. We want to help the members of our care community achieve a healthy, balanced way of life.

You can learn more about open positions at Elliot Health System by clicking below.