A flexible planning framework for the months between accepting a role and arriving in Fresno. There is no universal physician relocation schedule. Credentialing, licensing, lender underwriting, school calendars, employer benefits and property timelines can require more or less time. Use these checkpoints as prompts, not guaranteed deadlines.
Confirm your expected start date, primary campus, call responsibilities, relocation benefits, and any contract contingencies. Build a preliminary housing budget; compare neighborhoods, renting and buying; discuss physician mortgage programs with eligible lenders if buying.
Prioritize neighborhoods based on actual work routes and household needs. Arrange in-person or live video home tours, review schools by specific address, and gather insurance estimates. If purchasing, coordinate loan documentation, contingencies, inspections and closing requirements with your professionals.
Verify moving arrangements, temporary accommodations if needed, utility connections, mail forwarding and essential records. Review purchase or lease milestones without assuming a closing date is guaranteed; keep a backup housing plan.
Confirm access to the home, safe transport of essential belongings, parking, first-week necessities, and the route to your facility. Double-check arrival instructions with your employer and make room for family settling-in time when possible. For residents and fellows: a shorter or more flexible plan may be appropriate if your next placement is uncertain. Preserve the option to rent rather than rushing a purchase.