Several Clients have mentioned that Southern California is not looking so good as the place to purchase or to start-up a practice. Back "in the day," growth (and glamour) seemed eternal in the five mega-counties found in the area (Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties). For the first time EVER, the area is losing population. Among demographers, this has been known as the "California Exodus." True, the birth rate has declined (it has lost at least one Congressional Seat) but there are some other things going on. This episode defines some of the trends. The Governor and the State Legislature are agreeing to raise taxes, restrict water distribution, and the raise the prices on land development.

This episode takes about where these trends are occurring and where they are NOT occurring. We also discuss other trends that are important to keep an eye on. This would include an idea of where the middle class has gone. For doctors who want and idea of what is going on (and WHERE it is going on), this can be an important episode.

We have been asked about the viability of New York City as a place to practice for a long time. We thought this might be a good time to clear the air and make a definitive statement on it right now. As the nation's largest city, it is certainly a viable option. Still, the City is losing (a little) a population of -0.3 % per year.

From the standpoint of a very large and dynamic community, that is not bad. There are also indications that many of the people who left are going to come back.

But there is a severe bit of caution that goes along with this. The returning population is older and much less "family-friendly" than before. The large numbers of Young Adults are not as likely to come back. From an employment perspective, this might work out. Recall that those who left NYC for New Jersey and Florida still love the Big Apple but are not "starting out" as they did before.

This MAY turn out to be a big problem in the future. Crime and a housing shortage are certainly not helping. But, on the other hand, the rules that have defined other urban areas are not as true in this area. That has made many demographers more hopeful about NYC's future. Still, the nature of the City is unique.

As I have written before, NYC is more of a collection of small cities and villages crammed in an urban setting.

To KNOW the opportunities and risks of such an evolving and diverse community requires special help. Doctor Demographics is there for you, no matter what type of practice you are considering.