commuting out to the middle of nowhere

[elephants]

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Hey guys,
So I keep hearing that it's best to start your practice out in the middle of nowhere, but to be honest i really don't want to live out in the middle of nowhere. I've just always been a city person. Would it really screw me over to start a practice in the city? Would it be worth it to live close to the city and then commute out to the suburbs or some relatively rural area to practice? Or is the whole living in the city vs living in the country thing one of the reasons rural dentistry is so much cheaper in the first place. Also, is there a big difference between working in the country and working in the burbs? I've got a bit before I graduate (just a first year), but I've been thinking about living in the Seattle area or maybe NYC once I've got my degree and all.
Any advice is appreciated,
- elephants

 

[aphistis]

Hey guys,
So I keep hearing that it's best to start your practice out in the middle of nowhere, but to be honest i really don't want to live out in the middle of nowhere. I've just always been a city person. Would it really screw me over to start a practice in the city? Would it be worth it to live close to the city and then commute out to the suburbs or some relatively rural area to practice? Or is the whole living in the city vs living in the country thing one of the reasons rural dentistry is so much cheaper in the first place. Also, is there a big difference between working in the country and working in the burbs? I've got a bit before I graduate (just a first year), but I've been thinking about living in the Seattle area or maybe NYC once I've got my degree and all.
Any advice is appreciated,
- elephants

You can still succeed in the city, it just takes more effort and money. Several aspects of rural practice--attractive doctor/patient ratios, comparatively broad geographic draw, better community name recognition, reduced marketing expenses--are very helpful in achieving a successful practice, but if you can't stand your work environment, are you really any better off? After residency, my plans are similar to what you're suggesting--live in the metro area, commute out to my small-town practice. If you really think the city is where you'll be happiest, though, then that's where you should try to set up shop. Just like everything else in dentistry, practice location is a highly individual decision.

 

[realgraverobber]

I'm thinking of having a commute-type practice. Drive my Porsche or fly my private airplane out there with staff. Could live near a small private airport, park staff at/in small hangar. Commute 45 minutes. Commute back.

Think outside the box son!

 

[MONKEYBOY]

Big city is where the rich folks live. Why don't you go after the big money?

 

[Lopyswine]

Big city is where the rich folks live. Why don't you go after the big money?

that's a nice take on oral health

 

[DrJeff]

Big city is where the rich folks live. Why don't you go after the big money?

Yup, stay out of the rural areas😉 There's NO WAY you can even make what the "average" dentist makes in rural areas😉😀😉 And in rural areas all you'll ever do is place amalgams and pull teeth😉😀😉 Plus, only poor people live in rural areas😉 Yup, that's how it is!

 

[aphistis]

Yup, stay out of the rural areas😉 There's NO WAY you can even make what the "average" dentist makes in rural areas😉😀😉 And in rural areas all you'll ever do is place amalgams and pull teeth😉😀😉 Plus, only poor people live in rural areas😉 Yup, that's how it is!

I agree. Everyone should stay in urban areas and leave rural America to DrJeff and me. 😀 😉

 

[HuyetKiem]

I agree. Everyone should stay in urban areas and leave rural America to DrJeff and me. 😀 😉

yup.... 😀😀 I will leave rural america to you and DrJeff. There is plenty of work in the city. My office is typically booked to almost 2 months out for 3 docs for bread and butter dentistry.

 

[MONKEYBOY]

Don't understand why anyone would work in a desolate place.

Having so few people doesn't make one think you could have a practice be busy enough.

Maybe that is why a lot of rural dental practices are vacant.

 

[aphistis]

Don't understand why anyone would work in a desolate place.

Having so few people doesn't make one think you could have a practice be busy enough.

Maybe that is why a lot of rural dental practices are vacant.

You might think so, but consider this is a good example of why it's better to rely on objective data than a personal n of 0.

 

[DrJeff]

Don't understand why anyone would work in a desolate place.

Having so few people doesn't make one think you could have a practice be busy enough.

Maybe that is why a lot of rural dental practices are vacant.

It's very, very simple. Less dentists around, or less of many things that urban/suburban modern America is used to(malls, grocery stores, Blockbusters, etc) results in a different mind set. Folks in rural America are quite used to having to fairly regularly drive 30 to 60 minutes to get basic goods and services that modern urban/suburban America almost considers it a right to have within 5 minutes of them.

So while out in the country, the town you practice in may only have say 1,500 residents, the fact that commonly there isn't another dentist around for the next few towns over will give you a patient base of 3 or 4 towns and all of their associated residents. It's not a bad thing at all. Plus with the wonders of modern media (both print and TV) you'd be suprised at how many folks that live in rural areas are aware and WANT modern cosmetic services, and will pay for them.

Rural living isn't for everyone, but for those who choose the lifetstyle, you'll find that there AREN'T and financial limitations when compared to an urban/suburban practice. Plus, you'll more than likely end up with a bigger house and more of a yard for your kids to play in for ALOT less $$ than in the urban/suburban setting 😀

 

[MONKEYBOY]

I was being sarcastic. Ya'll are too serious. I plan to work in a rural place, and think it'd be great. Too many folks on here got the poopy pants.

 

[Offhegoes9]

I commute from suburban St. Louis to a more rural area of Missouri, and it has worked out fine so far. I don't mind the drive at all. Most of the dentists I know who live in big cities have to work a LOT harder to stay afloat. There is just a lot more competition.

 

[DrJeff]

I was being sarcastic. Ya'll are too serious. I plan to work in a rural place, and think it'd be great. Too many folks on here got the poopy pants.

Gotch 'ya. Just add a couple of these 😀 or these then every once and a while

 

[KOM]

I always thought people in rural areas didn't have any money. Then I started driving around rural MN and IA doing some pheasant hunting and noticed two things...corn fields and HUGE, SHINY, trucks. Not the old beater pick-ups I used to see in Alaska. 🙂

 

[yeti]

I commute from suburban St. Louis to a more rural area of Missouri, and it has worked out fine so far. I don't mind the drive at all. Most of the dentists I know who live in big cities have to work a LOT harder to stay afloat. There is just a lot more competition.

How far/long is your commute?