DoctorDemographics Podcast

Struggling to stand out in a competitive market? In this episode of Marketing Monday, host Mike Green from Doctor Demographics shares powerful strategies to define your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and make your practice the top choice for clients. Drawing from Chapter Four of Dental Marketing Mastery, we explore why a USP is critical for dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, and other professionals. Learn how to uncover what sets your practice apart, craft a compelling message, and communicate it consistently across your marketing. Packed with actionable steps and real-world examples, this 20-minute episode will help you attract the right clients and build a thriving practice. Tune in and discover your unique edge! #MarketingMonday #PracticeGrowth

In this episode of The Perfect Place to Put a Practice, we dive into 2025 strategies for finding not-so-obvious deals on practices for sale. Discover how to uncover hidden gems by leveraging your network, targeting off-market and distressed practices, using creative outreach, exploring flexible deal structures, and investing in fixer-uppers with growth potential. Packed with actionable tips and expert insights, this episode is a must-listen for doctors looking to buy a practice at a great price without the competition. Tune in and start your journey to practice ownership today! Subscribe and visit www.doctordemographics.com for more resources.

In this episode of The Perfect Place to Put a Practice, Mike Green dives into a critical question for practice owners: When is the right time to expand your practice to a second location? We break down five key signs to know you're ready—financial stability, operational efficiency, market demand, strong leadership, and personal readiness. Packed with practical tips and actionable advice, this 20-minute episode is a must-listen for any dentist considering growth. Tune in to learn how to time your expansion for success!

Unlock Growth with Our Latest Podcast Episode: Understanding Local Competition Struggling to stand out in a crowded dental market? Tune in to the latest episode of The Perfect Place to Put a Practice Podcast from Doctor Demographics, where we reveal why knowing your local competition is the key to attracting more patients and growing your practice. What You'll Learn in This Episode In this 20-minute episode, host Mike Green dives deep into the power of competitive analysis for dental practices. Discover: Why competition matters: Learn how local rivals influence patient choices and what it means for your practice. Online visibility secrets: Uncover how Google Reviews, websites, and social media shape your reputation. Actionable strategies: Get practical tips to outshine competitors, from boosting reviews to leveraging online ads.

There are some very important factors to consider when selecting a site if you are a specialist. In this video, Mike Green from Doctor Demographics reviews 5 tips you will want to consider when selecting your practice site.

Discover the ultimate guide to finding the perfect place for your practice in this episode of the Perfect Place to Put a Practice podcast with host Mike Green, brought to you by Doctor Demographics. This video dives into why Houston, Texas, is the new “it” spot for professional practices in 2025. With booming economic growth, massive job creation from Apple's $500 billion investment, and a thriving healthcare sector anchored by the world's largest medical complex, Houston offers unmatched opportunities for doctors looking to build a patient base of affluent, health-focused families. Whether you're unfamiliar with Doctor Demographics or a longtime follower, Mike breaks down the data—highlighting key areas—making this a must-watch for doctors and practice owners seeking a business-friendly location with long-term growth potential. 

How to use demographic data to create the perfect marketing strategy for your practice. 

This episode of The Perfect Place to Put a Practice podcast, hosted by Mike Green, focuses on potential practice locations in the Midwest. Many doctors who grew up in the region want to return but struggle to find growing areas with strong demographic potential. This episode highlights five Midwest cities with significant growth potential for new healthcare practitioners.

Choosing the right location for your new practice is one of the most critical decisions you'll make. In this episode, we dive deep into the key factors to consider when placing a  practice—especially in competitive areas. From analyzing demographics and market demand to evaluating competition and optimizing accessibility, we break down what it takes to thrive in a saturated market. Learn how to differentiate your practice, leverage unique selling points, and build a patient-friendly experience that sets you apart. Whether you're starting fresh or looking to relocate, this episode is packed with strategic insights to help you make a smart, profitable decision.  

Drilling for Patients - How Presidential Policy Shifts Demographics for Doctors

Are you thinking about opening your own practice this year? The journey might seem daunting with questions like: Should you buy an existing practice or start one from scratch? Where's the best location to set up shop? What insider secrets should you know? Join Mike Green from Doctor Demographics, a company with over 30 years of experience in assisting doctors with these very questions. In this essential video, Mike dives deep into: De Novo or Acquisition? - Learn the pros and cons of starting fresh versus buying an established practice. Location, Location, Location - Discover how to pinpoint the ideal spot for your new practice using demographic benchmarks. Demographic Secrets - Unveil the demographic data that could make or break your practice's success. Whether you're a seasoned doctor or a new practitioner looking to step into practice ownership, this video is packed with actionable insights that could shape your future. Connect with Us: Visit our website at www.doctordemographics.com for more resources. Need personalized advice? Call us at (844) 704-0499 or email us at support@doctordemographics.com. Don't miss out on setting the foundation for your successful practice. Watch now and take the first step towards understanding the demographic landscape that can lead to your success in 2025! [Subscribe to our channel for more expert advice on practice management.] Tags: #MedicalPractice #DoctorDemographics #PracticeLocation #DentalPractice #DeNovoPractice #HealthcareBusiness #PracticeManagement #MikeGreen

In this episode of The Perfect Place to Put a Podcast, we dive into the profound effects that natural disasters, specifically hurricanes, can have on local economies and professional practices like those of dentists, veterinarians, and optometrists. We explore the unique challenges practice owners face during these times—loss of revenue, displaced staff, and rebuilding costs—while also identifying the opportunities for growth and innovation that can emerge from adversity. We'll look at real-world examples, including how Hurricane Katrina reshaped the dental community of Greater New Orleans, and discuss what practice owners can learn from these events. Whether it's preparing a disaster plan, communicating with patients, or turning a crisis into a chance for reinvention, this episode offers valuable insights on how to protect and even strengthen your practice in the wake of a natural disaster.

In this episode, Mike Green goes over 5 great areas to place your practice in the Southeast area of the United States. 

Are you a doctor looking to establish a new practice but feeling overwhelmed by the location selection process? Join us in this insightful topic as we delve into the intricate process of selecting the ideal practice site. We address common misconceptions and guide you through essential steps that can significantly impact the success of your practice. Discover why starting with the big picture is crucial and learn how to find a location that aligns with your specific practice type. We emphasize the importance of considering factors beyond demographics and share expert tips to help you make informed decisions. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to the field, understanding the nuances of practice site potential is heavy lifting that pays off in the long run. Tune in to gain valuable insights and take a step closer to realizing your dream practice location. Visit DoctorDemographics.com for more valuable resources and personalized market research to boost your practice endeavors.

In this episode, we look at the pros and cons of opening a new professional practice in the great state of Florida. 

Join Mike Green, a seasoned expert from Doctor Demographics, in this informative episode as he explores the top pros and cons of venturing into a new professional practice, encompassing Dental, Medical, Optometry, and Veterinary fields in vibrant Southern California. Whether you're contemplating a new venture in 2024 or beyond, this episode is an invaluable resource. Discover the enticing opportunities that Southern California presents, along with the challenges one might face when starting a practice in this dynamic region. If you're an aspiring professional looking to make an informed decision about your next business move, don't miss this episode!

Join us in this insightful episode of "Places with Promise" as your host, Scott McDonald, takes you on a journey through a carefully curated list of promising places and locations for establishing your very own professional practice. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner looking to expand or someone just starting in the industry, choosing the right location can significantly impact the growth and success of your practice. Scott McDonald, a seasoned expert in demographics and location analysis, dives deep into the factors that make a location ideal for various types of professional practices. From dental offices to veterinary establishments, optometry to chiropractic services, Scott explores how the local demographic, economic trends, competition, and accessibility can all play a pivotal role in determining the perfect spot for your venture. Drawing on his extensive experience and real-world examples, Scott not only outlines the key considerations when selecting a location but also shares cautionary tales and lessons learned from those who've made both successful and not-so-successful choices. This episode serves as a valuable guide for anyone seeking to make an informed decision about where to establish their professional practice. Whether you're curious about the nuances of urban vs. suburban locations, interested in understanding the impact of foot traffic and online presence, or eager to learn about emerging trends in location-based business strategy, this episode has something to offer. Join us to gain the insights you need to make a confident choice and set your professional practice on a path toward prosperity. Tune in to "Places with Promise" and let Scott McDonald help you unlock the potential of the perfect location for your professional practice. Your journey towards success starts here.

Its that time of the year where we do our annual 'Kiss of Death Private Practice Locations' analysis for the next year. These are the areas of the country that are not doing very well or have some external forces (environmental or economic typically) fighting against you. If your area made the list, don't dismay. A little more elbow grease may be required to be successful. 

There is a plague of loneliness occurring in America, especially among men. Since the pandemic, it seems we have lost our ability to make friends and this is resulting in harm to practices and their owners.  This episode deals with the building of relationships and friendships.   It is about the nexus of demographics and psychographics for doctors.

These past few years have been nothing short of a significant shift in demographics. Everything we thought we knew about urban and rural demographics, family dynamics, and politics is being redefined rapidly.  In this episode, Scott McDonald discusses what we see on the demographic playing field and how it will impact practice owners. 

Race is a very sensitive topic these days so before I publish my remarks, I would like to make some comments. All races and cultures deserve respect.  There is never a cause to violify one culture over another. More important race, and culture are more important to heed. In my post, I said that I feared the Academy Awards may be putting too much attention on race rather than on producing quality art.    I also believe that people will have more favorable outcomes when they know what they want from their outcomes and trust their doctor more than the "fads of the day." We should be brave in trusting biology and science.   We should put greater emphasis on medicine and what unites us and stop putting emphasis on what divides us. Looking for the exceptions is bad science.   I think dropping the habit of looking for differences will help no one. In the end, I think all the talk on reparations (justified or not) will only lead to division and resentment. There is not enough money in the world to right all wrongs. Racial division is like drinking poison and waiting for the other guy to die.   I hope you agree that if we always look for things that divide us, we will doubtless find them. Jesus taught "If you are not one, you are not mine."   Last, a huge wave of immigration is coming. Let's try to be smart about it.

Let's face it, some sites are better than others. Here are some insider tips for what we are seeing in the marketplace.

I just had a debate with another demographer over the criteria of what makes a GREAT location for professional practice. We could NOT have been further apart. My colleague was adamant in this opinion that things are perfectly fine. Urban areas are flush with money. Crime statistics are overstated. Besides, crime is not really an issue in urban healthcare settings. If proper security is applied to prescription pads and controlled substances, things are about the same as they have ever been (he said). I disagree. In fact, I believe ethical doctors are receiving implied threats from the patients (but I don't discuss that much in this episode). I admit that I have little direct knowledge of the "global" situation. My knowledge is more anecdotal than statistical.   Still, the rising costs of doing business in urban settings are alarming which is one reason to take a second look at suburban sites. Nothing in reviewing the data has changed my opinion.   I hope our little debate will prove helpful.

In today's episode, Scott McDonald from Doctor Demographics discusses why some areas of the country just won't grow. It seems that the nation is putting obstacles in its way that make progress and advancement as a nation more difficult and unsure. For example, the administration seems to have no plan to deal with the waves of aliens expected this week. They seem unprepared for the energy crisis on our doorstep.  There seems to be no plan to handle increased violent crime in our cities. America has hobbled itself.  There is no resolution to our banking crisis.   This is going to appear not as a single crisis but as a string of unanticipated disasters and no one has an answer.   Never before has so much faced state and local governments. Get ready! 

One of the measures of the worth and viability of a practice site is simply this: Is it growing enough? By many measures, America overall is NOT growing enough. That includes population, income, property values, and sustainability. It is certainly possible to be lulled into a state of hopelessness. But this doesn't have to be your future, www.DoctorDemographics.com is available to research the sites that give you the kind of practice value you are looking for. It isn't about finding people. It is about finding the RIGHT people in the right place. Get a sample report right away!

Will the news ever get any better for doing business in California? In this episode, Scott McDonald goes over what will need to happen for doctors.

If you are looking for a location with children or teens, this is an ideal method. As the birth rate drops, this is is really proving a great predictive method of research.

It is one thing to find a desirable location to start up or purchase a practice. It is quite another thing to create an enduring practice brand. The Two-Step Model is a useful process to do this effectively and scientifically.  This episode is a follow-up to our episode on Framing Theory and Agenda Setting of a couple of weeks ago. The question is "How do you build credibility quickly and at a low-cost *and reasonable effort.  That is where the application of this theory really becomes useful. 

Demographers have been redefining the urban sites around the United States to try to find locations with growth and money that will offer a good return on the investment if they should they be sold. The term that they have started using is the "near urban core." It requires a little more marketing and management sophistication than average but the return on the practice is excellent. This episode explains more.   Almost all metropolitan areas have a "sweet spot" like this for professional practices.

When we are looking for favorable places to put a practice, we are often drawn to those sites that are allowing or encouraging growth, particularly those sites that are encouraging the construction of single family, owner occupied dwelling units. In some states (including California) this is becoming more expensive (assuming they are even possible.) Politicians don't like them for several reasons. They don't provide property taxes like apartment developments do and they are difficult to put in utilities. They also represent challenges to voting blocks that local politicians like. Worst of all, they encourage "buy-in" that is independent of politicians. They prefer to deal with individual developers. They don't like individual property owner or their representatives. When big developers have to answer to politicians, they resent losing their power base. We are looking for a large population base that also controls building permits rather than politicians that control them like a kind of "patronage gift." When practices depend upon single-family housing that is owner-occupied, the politicians lose power (and control). That is one more reason you want local control to be in the hands of local property owners. Doctor Demographics can tell you where these places exist. If you are going to put the future in the hands of a building developer, you want to retain control of that property. We have the answers to how this can be done.

This episode deals with the question of competition saturation. How many other general dentists (for example) should cause concern for a doctor considering putting a new office in a neighborhood? The real question is how closely the two offices match up in their definition of their marketing mix (product, place, price, and promotion?) Experience would suggest that unless they are exactly the same, there is no good reason to locate an office in another neighborhood just because there is another office that looks somewhat similar. In fact, the idea that NO ONE would consider putting a competing practice in that location may be sufficient reason to wonder about the neighborhood in the first place.  So rather than shrink away from an office with competition, it might be considered a desirable factor!

When I first started doing demographic and site analysis reports for doctors nearly 40 years ago, the art and science of this analysis were still pretty primitive. Things have changed in fairly significant ways. This includes the ways that we drew practice boundaries and interpreted the data.  This session talks about one of the BIG changes that have occurred: Zip Code definitions and drive times. Another big change is the inclusion and interpretation of psychographics.   This is one of the most significant episodes of the process of analysis of Zip Codes we have done in years. You don't want to miss it!

This week our episode deals with presenting the reasons the patient base should choose YOUR practice and how you can present the benefits of seeking can in a more persuasive manner. It is based upon tools we call Agenda Setting and Framing Theories and they are cutting-edge market research. They have been proven wildly effective in recent decades to help "move the needle" for healthcare practices to not only choose YOUR practice but to build a loyal and enthusiastic patient base. When you are ready Doctor Demographics can customize your image and practice promotion to make them more effective and targeted. Come to www.DoctorDemographics.com to get a sample report and a price quote.

Here is a recording of our Live Youtube stream where Mike Green talks about the 5 Keys for a Successful Practice Placement. He also answer a few live questions along the way from doctors who were on with us live. Want to join us for our next broadcast? We'll be live again next Friday at noon eastern on our YouTube channel found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxB3_hnovfETy3okc3yQudA 

To REALLY meet the healthcare wants and needs of a population, it is necessary to know them well. Otherwise, you will spend time and effort on activities and advertising that won't work. This episode starts with the basic assumption that too many doctors believe the ideal patient base will look like they do (fit their demographic profile). Their unique point of view will be lost as providers carry out these assumptions without doing good research. The Marketing Report and Practice Site Viability provide inexpensive research tools to help doctors learn about the lifestyles of patients in locations they are considering. As an aside, this is cutting-edge research technology provided by great vendors!   Visit our website at www.doctordemographics.com to get samples of these reports

There are two paths of development going on in the world right now. They are diverging. The first is localization. That suggests that systems are getting smaller and seem focused on businesses and practices that are smaller and more focused on people. Up until now, it appears we have been going toward more globalization. This is making systems (governments and institutions less responsive to people and individuals). For a long time, it seemed the level of complexity of customer service was demanding practices become ever larger. As we speak, patients can take advantage of more individual attention and customization.   Rather than grow ever larger in an environment of "one size fits all" patients and customers seek to want a simpler, customizable approach. This may translate to less expensive overhead, improved customer service, and happier patients. Overall, it is reflected in the research on market conditions, demographics, and customer care

What is the true potential of American healthcare when contrasted with Rival nations (such as China) which have been talking smack about the medical and dental programs in the U.S.? To be fair, the U.S. has been unrivaled in the world. By contrast, China (and others) have a great deal of political meddling get into their research and teaching. To make my case, we examine data on life expectancy to prove the point that the outcomes have been superior in the American system.

Right before our eyes, America's cities are being reinvented and reimagined. They are not what we have seen before. This short episode shows just how America is changing. The Davos Economic Forum Predicted (and Mandated) that Americans would prefer one direction for America's future. It seems that we are heading in a new direction entirely. Doctors should be aware that places they want to practice in are diverging from what the ruling Elites have told us to expect (and demand).

We want to explore how there exists a cross-over between Desirable Demographics and the attitudes within a patient base to purchase healthcare.  This episode explores those demographic factors.  In fact, we have even included a partial list of some U.S. cities that demonstrate these factors so you can see what kinds of places we are talking about.   They are not the fastest growing places nor are they the most affluent but they represent a  solid and safe investment.

It might be desirable to concentrate only on those locations that are growing when choosing a place to practice. Still, that isn't always the best choice. Some areas may not be increasing in size, but they have favorable demographics (such as employment, age, or income). The locations that are showing "out-migration" are the ones we see as having the most risk. Three of these were once growing but have reversed their trends.  These include Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.  This episode describes just WHY these formerly thriving places are losing population (surprisingly). Some of these sites are pricing themselves out of the market. Of particular note is the very high tax rate we are seeing.  This has particularly surprised demographic experts at the speed of the effects on population and employment.  The market has fallen very rapidly. No one seems to know when these trends will be stabilized.

This episode is about a rising trend in Healthcare Practice Locations. When I started Doctor Demographics, clients seemed obsessed with knowing the number of competing practices (and providers) in their neighborhood/ The demographic character of residents was not the important (according to them.) This has all changed, of course but as the costs of parking and site availability rose, another important factor emerged: Walkability. This term is growing in significance for several reasons. This episode will explain why you need to know your walkability score and what to do about it.

We've been getting a lot of questions on whether or not 2023 will be a good year to open a practice. The answer is, as it often is, it depends. In this episode, Scott McDonald goes through what signs to look for in a particular area to know if it is good time or not for that location.

I have not been publishing episodes on where to put a practice lately. But in my research, I have found two states that I have not discussed for a while that might be very promising given their favorable demographic character and extreme growth.  If someone was to ask me what are the two places in the U.S. that are emerging as places with low risk and high potential, I would mention Nevada (south and northwest) and Arizona (Pima and Maricopa Counties) as two of the best. Oddly, even though the metropolitan areas are in the middle of extreme isolation (and desert), their rate of growth is truly amazing. They are not perfect (what places are?) but we cannot ignore them. In just a few years we will be talking about how many NEW practices have grown in this area and so many "experts" missed it.   I have visited all of these metropolitan areas in the last few years and by my own estimates, this represents the "low-hanging fruit in the Western United States." I just wanted to share that with all of you. 

I had a little BrainStorm Session with my Demographic Colleagues about the Mid-Term Election. Most of us came to the same General Observations. One of the big takeaways is that experts should really be cautious about claiming to know a great deal about the future of demographics in the U.S., we just don't have all the answers we thought we had. That does not sound hopeful, but it is true. These very smart people noted that there were certain trends in current demographics that they would like to ignore. That is what this session is about. The decline in the birthrate is especially important in our discussions. It seems strange that the mainstream media is ignoring the recent changes in the job market. The housing market, especially in the single-family, owner-occupied sector is largely ignored in the national media. We assume this is due to the fact that these reporters are not living in these communities. They are not concerned with consumer debt because they are affluent. Most reporters who own homes are on a fixed-rate mortgage. In fact, the important news stories touch them hardly at all. This episode is an acknowledgment that there are some important trends and news stories that you hear little about that are not on the elites' radar screen but will be quite important to doctors who want to establish practices.

This episode has so much detail, we do not have a "Short Version." I had to be complete. I define the differences between these types of sites. In a nutshell, it is important to make the distinction early on that it is more than population size and growth rate. The rural sites are not necessarily more or less desirable. The biggest difference is in population density. Rural sites are more spread out. They have more homogeneity in their lifestyles, In each practice-community area, there are different liabilities and benefits. I mention these in the narration. Demographers are generally cool (at least for now) on urban locations. They are losing population in the post-Covid world as costs, including taxes and other business expenses rise. Suburban locations seem to be the least attractive for reasons I will discuss in the episodes. I am not saying all practices have to locate in certain neighborhoods. It is certainly true that suburbs carry far less risk. Rural practice sites seem to be struggling to get a sufficient patient base, especially with the rising costs of fuel. So we have here a balance between ideal practice locations, their benefits, and liabilities. This episode contrasts all of these.  

These episodes represent a word of caution regarding your source of demographic information on data and analysis. There are lots of amateur demographers who have entered the field recently. True, they may be well-meaning. These "newbies" are usually getting rehashed" data from a source within the Federal or State bureaucracy]that purports to tell you about changes in demographics.  It isn't necessarily true that the data is wrong. The biggest danger to doctors, consultants, and brokers is that they often make claims about the viability, and risks of practice site analysis.   I refer to them as "amateurs" because the analysis must be based on their knowledge of the professions they are measuring. For example, one must know if the distribution of providers in a suburban area is at, above, or below the norms for that type of practice being considered. Urgent Care practices have different thresholds of success than dental practice, for example.  A practice that relies upon internal versus network referrals has different measurements of success.    In short, knowing how demographics relate to the profession you are undertaking is not simple and requires experience with the population AND the measurements that will matter.   Beware trusting demographers who are new, inexperienced, or generalists.  You cannot afford this kind of mistake.

As spaces for ideal practices become more difficult to locate (not to mention more crowded and expensive) finding a place that will serve all patient-bases is a growing challenge.  Rather than locate the perfect place, doctors are encouraged to create practices that will meet the needs of more "specialized and specific" market segments. Thus, it makes sense to consider a "niche" practice."   It is not so much that the doctors have to find an "edgy" approach to medicine and dentistry. They only need to find a patient population that is large enough and identifiable to pay the bills.  In this episode, we consider market segments such as culture, language, nation of origin, demographics (age, education, income for example) or psychographics (lifestyle and "values") that would not necessarily be one the radar screen of all practices.  As an example, Armenians, different religions, political or professional groups would work well.  If the local population has these people in sufficient numbers, a niche could be identified and the practice can proceed to promote its services to them.  Additionally media consumption (advertising) could be planned that would meet their needs exactly.  Granted, not all clinical needs would have to vary. Still, they could be sifted to meet their needs and interests.   In the end, healthcare practice may be able to thrive by identifying the common interests of a very specific segment of the population rather than trying to be "all things to all people.

When examining the viability of a practice site, it is important to know how many competing providers (doctors) and practices there are.  That much seems obvious. But we also have to acknowledge who the REAL competitors are within a practice area. In the case of healthcare, you should be aware that not all doctors/practices are true competitors.  As an example, there is a significant difference in the range of procedures and equipment available among practices. A veterinarian may not treat and diagnose the same animals as another practice.  Dermatologists may have the same training but they offer very different care to different patient types. Not all orthodontists are the same.  In short, when contrasting doctors of similar disciplines, we are wise to judge that they may not be true competitors at all.  Only a demographer with experience can recommend a site based on the variables in practice types.  It is usually insufficient to make a broad conclusion about the competition unless the variations in practice and clinical care are understood.   At Doctor Demographics, we recognize that sometimes general practices are significantly different in who they target for treatment and the niche they occupy.  It is foolish to assume that all practices will offer the same services to their patients, even if they SEEM to be alike.     So, if you are trying to determine if there is "room for one more," it is vital to have a demographics firm that understands healthcare do your research.

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.