Is it in the cards?

Here is the reading that Sara did about moving to Oregon:

1) Where I am now: the current situation - 9 of Wands: I've been "fighting through" law school to the point of wariness and paranoia! I am demonstrating strength in pursuing this goal but I am am little too focused battling through and incapable of being at peace with school and my situation.

2) What lies on the other side of the gateway, i.e. what is the likely outcome of this step - 6 of Cups: Moving out west represents simple joys, childish in a way, but simple nonetheless, and a clear conscious. What we hope and what is most likely to happen to us if we do move, will be a life of simple pleasure.

3) What mental and emotional issues I need to consider- 6 of Swords: I need to make a mental image. Right now, I am trudging through a troubling time. I am stuck and struggling through MN winters and the law school experience and moving will be a mental rebirth of sorts, and will be a significant milestone in my life.

4) What actions I need to consider - Page of Pentacles: The Page is focused and studious, and while immersed in my dream, I will emerge from my studies to become more business like and practical. But for now, it's still dreams.

5) The Influence that lies over the steps you are taking - The Fool: The Fool is all about taking a risk. And while it may seem foolish, it may also be the wisest move of all.

Is it a sign to move? Maybe, but we will keep working through the process.

Where the internets are leading us...

So, Sara and I took a quiz online called Find Your Spot: Find your own best place to live! At the sight we went through about 5 pages of questions to figure out where we should move. I am not going to bore you with both lists, instead I will give you the top 10, plus one honorary nominee.

1. Eugene, Oregon

2. Corvallis, Oregon

3. Milwaukie, Oregon

4. Hot Springs, Arkansas

5. Salem, Oregon

6. Salisbury, Maryland

7. St. Helen, Oregon

8. Portland, Oregon

9. Santa Cruz, California

10. Medford, Oregon

Honorable mention: Fayetteville, Arkansas

From what I can deduce from this list, and you can all right to contradict me, is that we should move to Oregon. The temperatures are moderate all year, they get about 5-6 inches of snow, in certain places, and have a large amount of precipitation i.e. rain :) I would much rather have rain then have to deal with snow.

Reasons to Leave: #1 - the Weather

When people hear I want to leave the midwest, they wonder why. Is the grass really greener out west? I can't answer that with 100% certainty, but this I do know: At least the grass isn't frozen.

I know, I am generalizing. There are certain places in our primary targets (Washington, Oregon and California) that get plenty of snow. But - for starters, the average maximum temperature, minimum temperature AND precipitation are all higher than Minnesota and Wisconsin. Moreover, the temperatures are far more regular and much less dramatic than our snow-storms. For starters, Jenn and I both went to school at the U of M - Morris. Anyone who has lived on a prairie can tell you that there is nothing fun about being the only thing in a 50 mile radius to stop the wind.

According to USAToday - not a source I trust for politics but will trust for weather - of the coldest cities in the US, 8 of 10 are in Minnesota. Not that I needed to be told this. Jenn and I have experienced the utter disaster of winter: solid ice on the roads, having to dig our car out of the snow and ice, our dog freezing after being outside for 10 minutes...not too mention the salt and slush ruin your shoes, pants AND car.

I'd also like to point out that while Wisconsin and Minnesota are often cited for the coldest, snowiest, or windiest, Oregon and Washington tend not to sit on anyone's top ten list. After leaving in 2 states that qualify as having the most "weather variety" - frankly, I am looking forward to some weather consistency!

The Plan

Jenn and I have grown up in the midwest. I was born and raised in Madison, WI. Jenn grew up in Minneapolis, and then Cambridge, MN. I've lived, studied and worked abroad. Jenn studied abroad. But somehow, we both ended up back in the midwest.

Madison, WI is my ideal city - except for the snow and cold. And as much as Jenn and I both love it, it doesn't hold a place for us, at least for now. We lived there for two years and loved it, but always dreamed of something different. I applied for a few schools out West when I decided to take the plunge into the depths of legal education but ended up choosing a school where I could be close to my friends and family. It was a mistake.

But after 2+ years in Twin Cities, most of which have been cramped and cold, my time at William Mitchell is coming to a close. As of December 2010, I will have my J.D. and an opportunity to explore the world. I would like to start out somewhere along the west coast.

So, today, instead of working on my argument for moot court, I decided to blog our journey from the frigid, barren, and need-I-say-boring Twin Cities to the West Coast. As we search for jobs, and narrow down the states we're looking for, I will explore Midwest vs. West Coast living and provide numerous reasons to leave or stay. So, hold me accountable peeps. I don't want to chicken out.