Every year around this time, a new group of physicians starts residency.
They arrive in new cities, move into unfamiliar apartments and homes, learn new hospital systems, and begin one of the most demanding seasons of their careers.
At Physician Real Estate Network (PREN), we spend a lot of time talking with residents before they move and then again after they've completed their first year. And while every experience is different, there are a few things we hear over and over again.
The first is surprisingly simple:
"I wish I had been easier on myself."
Starting residency comes with an incredible amount of pressure. New residents often feel like they need to have everything figured out immediately. The reality is that residency is a learning process. Every attending physician was once an intern trying to navigate a new city, a new hospital, and a completely new level of responsibility.
Another lesson we hear frequently is, "I wish I had lived closer to the hospital."
Before moving, many residents focus on finding the nicest apartment, the trendiest neighborhood, or the most amenities. After a year of early mornings, overnight call shifts, and long workdays, many realize that a shorter commute would have had a bigger impact on their quality of life than a rooftop pool or luxury finishes.
Location matters. Not just the home itself, but how that home supports your day-to-day life as a physician.
We also hear residents talk about the importance of finding community.
Moving for residency often means leaving behind friends, family, and familiar routines. One of the most valuable things residents gain during their first year isn't found in a lease agreement or mortgage document, it's finding their people. The co-residents who become friends, the colleagues who understand the challenges, and the support system that helps make a new city feel like home.
And then there are the practical lessons.
Many residents wish they had budgeted more carefully for their move. Others wish they had spent more time learning neighborhoods before signing a lease. Some tell us they spent too much time searching for the "perfect" place when a good fit would have been more than enough.
The common theme behind all of these reflections is that housing decisions impact far more than where you sleep at night.
Where you live affects your commute, your sleep, your ability to recharge, your social connections, and ultimately your experience during residency.
That's why PREN exists.
We help physicians navigate one of the biggest transitions of their careers with guidance tailored specifically to the realities of medical training. From understanding neighborhoods and commute patterns to evaluating renting versus buying, our goal is to help physicians make informed decisions that support both their careers and their lives outside the hospital.
If you're starting residency, know this: you don't need to have all the answers today.
Ask questions. Lean on experts. Give yourself grace. And remember…you belong here.
