Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Threshold

And as we celebrate the four month anniversary of Andy's last day of work, we reach another milestone: the exploration of job opportunities outside of Massachusetts.  Yes, folks; things really are that bad out there.  With this in mind, I'd ask you all to fill out the following survey:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The nearest metropolitan area within reasonable commuting distance that offers a variety of Patent/Intellectual Property Attorney positions for people with 10 years of experience in the field is: _____________________

I would best describe my climate as:
__ Comparable to Boston
__ Arid (Desert southwest)
__ So humid you have to wring your clothes out after stepping from the house to the car (southeast)
__  My kids can play outside 350+ days a year (San Diego)

The cost of living in my region can best be described as:
a. Living like kings
b. Average
c. Comparable to Boston
d. We read by candlelight to save money

My nearest Starbucks is located ___ miles from my home.


My nearest Target is located ___ miles from my home.

The average cost for a 4br/2.5ba home in a good school district is: __________________.  (Anyone whose answer is over $650K need not apply; I'm from Boston.)

If I have to make an unscheduled trip to the store at 10:00 pm, I feel:
a.  Entirely safe, I love my neighborhood.
b. Safe Enough
c. I don't go if I don't have to
d. I make sure the Taser is fully charged

The thing I like best about my neighborhood is: _________________.

The thing I like best about my kids' school is: ___________________.

Bonus Question: If the Manic Family moved to our area, we promise to introduce you to many people, show you around town, have playdates with the boys, and drink wine with the Mommy.  (okay, so that really wasn't a question.)


Note to our families: This is just an exploratory.  We're not doing anything yet.  Don't panic.
Note to our readers:  No really, let me know what it's like where you are.

16 comments:

merlotmom said...

R u hating winter enough to consider Los Angeles??? I'd love to have you here but I have to admit traffic sucks. But the weather (it's 80 degrees today) is stellar. All kidding aside, San Diego is beautiful and a really nice place to raise kids. Hope everything works out. Keep us informed! xo

Life As I Know It said...

My husband just IM'd me with a job in portland oregon and the virgin islands. Both actually sound good to me...
I hope your husband finds something soon. It's not pretty out there. Good luck!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I think San Diego would be perfect for you--you'd have to adjust what you expect to get for $650K, but here's a sample:

http://www.trulia.com/property/3001337141-10264-Meadowview-Dr-San-Diego-CA-92131

This is in a neighborhood (mine) with excellent schools and wonderful people (me!) and a Starbucks and a Vons close by.

I'm pretty sure our thriving biotech industry needs patent attorneys.

Unknown said...

I heard Andy interview Greg about East Tennessee. We have everything you have (except the Red Sox) and it is cheaper and SO convenient.
Here's a house
http://www.cbww.com/Default.cfm/Page=/ForSale/Cat=/Display/PropertyType=/Residential/ML_Number=/732132/Refer=/Search%20Results.htm;

think about it!

Momma Hunt said...

Ok so in all seriousness I don't know if my area would have jobs open but I live in Central/Northern CT. About two hours away from Boston to be exact. Where I live you can commute to Hartford, Springfield, or New Haven all in about 45min. In the town I live in S. Windsor there is a mall, a target, wallmart and at least three major grocery stores within ten minutes. I would also love a mommy buddy. My house is three bedroom 1.5 bath and was 250K most houses that are a big nicer then mine run around 300-350. Let me know if ct is right for you!

sitting on the mood swing at the playground said...

Come to DC...plenty of attorney jobs...government, associations, private practice, etc.

Starbucks and Targets are happily convenient...no matter where you are. (AND...in one case Target and DSW are in the same mall!)

Winters aren't as harsh or long as Boston but school is canceled more often.

Drives to Boston/Cape Cod are very doable (experience speaking here).

There's always wine at my house and you're always welcome.

Mrs. Tuna said...

I'd introduce you around in Phoenix but the job market here is the nation's worst. Maybe I should stop looking at blogs on my lunch hour and get back to work.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Dude. We're 40 min outside of Chicago and I love it. Comparable weather, lots of jobs (even today. It's not FABULOUS, but it's decent), and the housing market is good for buyers. (Hey, my husband is a realtor! Want to buy in Illinois?) AND our neighbor's house is for sale. Like, next door! Only 3 bed, though. Maybe you should move down the street in the cul de sac? You can kick the kids out the door to walk the few blocks to school or start homeschooling them with me. :) I know you're jumping up and down for THAT one.

Seriously. Plainfield, IL.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Oh, I am less than 4 minutes from Target, WalMart, Starbucks and Panera. The mall is 10 min though...

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I would best describe my climate as:
Comparable to Boston

The cost of living in my region can best be described as:
Comparable to Boston

My nearest Starbucks is located 3 miles from my home.

My nearest Target is located 5 miles from my home.

The average cost for a 4br/2.5ba home in a good school district is: $500K? (that is for my area of DC suburbs and I'm really just guessing based on past house hunting experience)

If I have to make an unscheduled trip to the store at 10:00 pm, I feel:
Safe Enough

The thing I like best about my neighborhood is: great neighbors and decent proximity to conveniences (though the houses in my actual neighborhood may be too small for you - and I can't really speak for others).

The thing I like best about my kids' school is: it's a magnet school - great programs - also very good special needs support of Oliver (not sure about middle school and high school though).

Bonus Question: If the Manic Family moved to our area, we promise to introduce you to many people, show you around town, have playdates with the boys, and drink wine with the Mommy. (okay, so that really wasn't a question.) - THAT'S OKAY - YOU DON'T NEED TO ASK. IT'S A GIVEN.

Stimey said...

DC is the best. Choose us.

Jason, as himself said...

The nearest metropolitan area within reasonable commuting distance that offers a variety of Patent/Intellectual Property Attorney positions for people with 10 years of experience in the field is: ___Los Angeles_______

I would best describe my climate as:
__ Comparable to Boston
_X_ Arid (Desert southwest)
__ So humid you have to wring your clothes out after stepping from the house to the car (southeast)
__ My kids can play outside 350+ days a year (San Diego)

The cost of living in my region can best be described as:
a. Living like kings
b. Average
c. Comparable to Boston X
d. We read by candlelight to save money

My nearest Starbucks is located _.5_ miles from my home.


My nearest Target is located ___ miles from my home.

The average cost for a 4br/2.5ba home in a good school district is: ___$420K____. (Anyone whose answer is over $650K need not apply; I'm from Boston.)

If I have to make an unscheduled trip to the store at 10:00 pm, I feel:
a. Entirely safe, I love my neighborhood. X
b. Safe Enough
c. I don't go if I don't have to
d. I make sure the Taser is fully charged

The thing I like best about my neighborhood is: It is beautiful_.

The thing I like best about my kids' school is: __Great instruction__.

You would love it here!

Victoria said...

It is bad all over! I am just amazed every day when I talk to friends who have been looking for a job for over a year. Things have got to change. This has been going on WAY too long. This country needs some relief. Good luck to you and your family.

JCK said...

Pouring the wine already, girl.

Am behind on you. So sorry for the stress of this.

Sending hugs!

Suburban Correspondent said...

just saw this - did he find a job yet? email me1

Cookin' Mama said...

It would be more than awesome to have you in town. However, Philly's probably more the place to look. That being said, any info you want / need, just send me an e-mail via yahoo or FB. You know where to find me. (P.S. after years of forgetting it's existence, I'm back to blogger)

 

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