Key Elements for Practice Site Selection

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.