I can't help but think that moving to Philly from LA is some reverse (perhaps perverse) migratory pattern.

I'm not sure why it would be more attractive to do that if you weren't getting substantially more money or a much better job.

It costs a lot of money and emotional energy to uproot. It'll take six months to a year just to get settled and get your financial footing and longer than that to get your social structure in place.

So, granted I'm Cali-centric, what exactly are the big pluses of moving? Maybe I wasn't paying attention.

You would be, after all, moving to a place with lots of winter and way too many Eagles and Phillies fans (the meanest fans in all of sports).

I'm not trying to be a wet blanket so much as a devil's advocate here, Aims. This strikes me as a little impulsive, but that's not to say it can't be a good thing.

Bucketloads of ~ma to you, Aimée.

Mine, probably not. Joe's, maybe. If not, we pass all the write-off tests (I've checked) so there's that for next year.

This story was noted on Slashdot, and I think many Buffistas will be interested:

FBI Agents Back Down When Librarian Refuses to Let Them Seize 30 Computers Without a Warrant

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents tried to seize 30 of the library's computers without a warrant, saying someone had used the library's Internet connection to send the threat to Brandeis. But the library director, Kathy Glick-Weil, told the agents they could not take the machines unless they got a warrant first. Newton's mayor, David Cohen, backed Ms. Glick-Weil up. After a brief standoff, FBI officials relented and sought a warrant from a judge.

[link]

It is impulsive.

The Pros (in no particular order):

• Job environment that I think I will like a lot more than my current one.

• Closer to our familes in Michigan, but far enough that my MiL isn't going to jump in her car and show up.

• We have been tired of California, and in particular LA, for a long time and Philly is, well, why not? I love my company and this is a good way to keep everything job wise intact.

Neither Joe or I had ever been to California when we moved here. We're not afraid of a new city or a new place and we'll have each other and Em. It's a lot of upheaval, but at this point, it's still in the thinking about it phase. I mean, who knows? Might as well see if we can and want to, that doesn't cost us anything.

I mean, who knows? Might as well see if we can and want to, that doesn't cost us anything.

Absolutely. And you're obviously energized thinking about it.

Still not sure what ~~ma to ask for.

Big fat moving allowance ~ma?

I haven't been this excited about a prospect since, well, a long time. Since I got pregnant. We're not as happy here as we once were. LA is slowly getting to us. We're basically hermits. We don't go anywhere unless it's an occasion. We don't take advantage of the great things LA has to offer. Now, some of that is being the parents of a small child. But a lot of it not wanting to deal with the city. I love city. Can't get enough city. But dammit, I need the suburbs. And not LA suburbs. Suburbs, suburbs. It's where I was raised, it's what I know. I need people who smile back at me as they walk past.

I need people who smile back at me as they walk past.

Heh. Good luck with that in Philadelphia.

I haven't been this excited about a prospect since, well, a long time. Since I got pregnant.

That's wonderful. I hope everything falls into place for the move, or you discover a good reason (an exciting one that's not necessarily pregnancy!) to stay.