You’ve been offered your first job as a physician, and it requires you to relocate. First things first: congratulations! After all the hard work, you’re stepping into an exciting chapter of your life and career.
Now, it’s time to get ready for the move. As with medical school, the more thoroughly you prepare, the better your experience will be. Fortunately, you can save yourself and your family a lot of time, stress, and money by getting a plan together. And MD Prefered Services wants to help you get started!
Research Neighborhoods and Properties
Your first step will be to conduct diligent research into potential neighborhoods and properties for your family to live in. Start by making a list of your needs, such as:
- Whether you will rent or purchase a home
- Square footage and layout of the home.
- Size of the home’s yard
- Proximity to work, school, and other necessities
- Proximity to neighbors
- Whether the neighborhood is kid- and pet-friendly
Once you know what you are looking for, begin looking into various neighborhoods and home prices in the area for an idea of what you’re working with. If you are planning to rent for a little while after moving, compare the rental prices of houses, apartments, and condos.
If you want to purchase a home and lay down roots, but you’re a bit concerned with your budget, consider finding an as-is home. This type of home sells no matter what repairs need to be made, which often results in a lower purchase price.
Many families benefit from buying a fixer-upper and gradually renovating it to meet their needs. Just make sure you and your family can commit the time and energy necessary to make the required changes. Moreover, you will need to consult an attorney, examine land records, and expect the as-is property before committing.
Enlist Professional Services
No matter how much time you spend preparing for your next chapter, and even if you think of everything that needs to be done, you can benefit from hiring professional services to help along the way. Remember that you will not only be transitioning into a new job but your family will need to settle smoothly into their new living environment.
Look for a reputable realtor in your new area to help you locate the right property and navigate the home buying process. And research local movers to help you get all of your belongings safely and securely to your new home. Before hiring a mover, read customer reviews and don’t trust them unless they require an in-home inspection.
Pack With a Mission
There is an art to packing, and if you do it correctly, it can save you a lot of time and energy when it comes time to unpack. Before you pack a box, make a list of all the supplies you need such as packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, boxes, box cutters, etc. Ask local restaurants and retail stores if they have any extra boxes they will give to you, and look online for discounted moving supplies.
Then, develop a packing strategy. Consider packing one room at a time and putting all similar items together. Be sure to put clear labels on each box so that you and your movers can quickly distribute them to the appropriate rooms in the new home. And if possible, start packing early so that you can take your time instead of cramming all your packing responsibilities into just a few days.
Practice Self-Care
Finally, it’s crucial that your family practices self-care as you transition into your new job and home. Try to maintain a nutritionally balanced diet, and stay physically active as much as you can. Going for daily walks through your neighborhood or at a local park is a practical way to get some exercise in.
Also, try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night, even if it means pushing some of your responsibilities to the next day: you might be surprised by how much more productive you are on a good night’s rest. Furthermore, try to incorporate relaxing activities into your daily routine such as playing games together and having at least one family meal per day.
The better you plan and prepare for your new physician’s job and new home, the smoother your transition will be. Consider the tips above to position your family to settle in quickly and comfortably into your new city. And remember to keep up with any studies or other work-related tasks along the way!
Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about our network? Visit TheMDPreferredNetwork.com today!