The Trade-offs of Relocating for a Physician Career

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.