Is pursuing an associate job in California ideal?

[Garett24]

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I hear all the time it's crazy expensive to live there and that its an extremely saturated market, but with my goal being an associate for a few years out of school is this such a crazy thought?

Yes I have a lot of debt and I don't plan on having a practice in Cali, but is working as an associate in Cali really that different than working as an associate in a rural area?

I guess what I am asking is, am I crazy to pursue this location when I want to pay back my debt as fast as possible?

Would my income suffer greatly in this area?

Thanks.

 

[321931]

I hear all the time it's crazy expensive to live there and that its an extremely saturated market, but with my goal being an associate for a few years out of school is this such a crazy thought?

Yes I have a lot of debt and I don't plan on having a practice in Cali, but is working as an associate in Cali really that different than working as an associate in a rural area?

I guess what I am asking is, am I crazy to pursue this location when I want to pay back my debt as fast as possible?

Would my income suffer greatly in this area?

Thanks.

Probably the worst decision you can make.

 

[kingme23]

I hear all the time it's crazy expensive to live there and that its an extremely saturated market, but with my goal being an associate for a few years out of school is this such a crazy thought?

Yes I have a lot of debt and I don't plan on having a practice in Cali, but is working as an associate in Cali really that different than working as an associate in a rural area?

I guess what I am asking is, am I crazy to pursue this location when I want to pay back my debt as fast as possible?

Would my income suffer greatly in this area?

Thanks.

I like Cali just as much as the next guy but have you not seen the hundreds of horror stories? There are owners giving away their practices literally for free in So Cal if you look at classifieds...how do you think being an associate would be?

 

[basic_suture]

Daily minimum in SoCal is around $350 whereas other states are at least $500. This says a lot. If you are okay with that, sure go for it. It's beautiful over there.

 

[Garett24]

Is it the high cost of living in cali that makes it bad or the crowding? Is Hawaii just as crazy lol?

 

[321931]

Is it the high cost of living in cali that makes it bad or the crowding? Is Hawaii just as crazy lol?

All the above. I was in California for a decade. If you don’t have money then get out. I don’t know what is everyone fascination with California... it’s not Hollywood and sf is just one big tale of two cities.

 

[sobertiger]

Is it the high cost of living in cali that makes it bad or the crowding? Is Hawaii just as crazy lol?

Both the living cost and saturation, plus taxes. It will not be easy, but if you know what you are doing I think it's still worth a shot.

 

[schmoob]

Hard no, brother.
Lower reimbursement, high COL, high tuition payments, high taxes. You'll have nothing left.

 

[Garett24]

All the above. I was in California for a decade. If you don’t have money then get out. I don’t know what is everyone fascination with California... it’s not Hollywood and sf is just one big tale of two cities.

Trying to stay near a beach so I can surf. Maybe North Carolina. I am dying landlocked at my school.

 

[caffeine jitters]

Trying to stay near a beach so I can surf. Maybe North Carolina. I am dying landlocked at my school.

I would practice in a more dentist friendly state and use the increased income/better work schedule to finance surf trips. This is just me of course and if surfing is something you cannot see yourself living without for weeks at a time, then definitely make beach access a priority when picking a place to live and practice. North Carolina is an awesome state for dentists, I'm not sure how great the surf is there though.

 

[Garett24]

I would practice in a more dentist friendly state and use the increased income/better work schedule to finance surf trips. This is just me of course and if surfing is something you cannot see yourself living without for weeks at a time, then definitely make beach access a priority when picking a place to live and practice. North Carolina is an awesome state for dentists, I'm not sure how great the surf is there though.

Well its cold. Its brown. And The waves break "heavy" but not all that consistent. Its probably the best option im thinking if not east side of florida. Trips are probably better option thanks 4 input.

 

[ProspectivePostPreDent]

Trying to stay near a beach so I can surf. Maybe North Carolina. I am dying landlocked at my school.

Water is warmer at same latitude on East coast, and in the southern states you can actually find decent ratios and pay 1/3 of coastal Cali COL.

But I mean, sure, do the predictable Cali kid thing, render your degree worth pennies on the dollar, and leave the rest of us with more patients

 

[Daurang]

I'm sooooo glad I moved out to make so much more money yet saved massively on housing and taxes. I have traveled 60+ times to Cancun, Aruba, Turk and Caicos, Bahamas, Bora Bora, US Virgin Island, Hawaii, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, etc. and their beaches put Cali's to shame. You won't miss Cali one bit.

 

[FanOfCostco]

I'm a California native. Moved out of state for d school. Would love to go back to California one day, but financially it's stupid. Like if
Kim kardashian and Kanye west had a baby stupid.