A little side trip...

While all the previous posts have been regarding our pseudo-sabbatical, it is not the only iron in the fire.  The wife and I have been scouting the next place we would like to move to.  We have just returned from a 2 week mini vacation through the Northwest. 

So, here are some of our living criteria:

• Access to a major international airport
• Strong luxury hotel industry
• Some amount of friend/family support system
• City conveniences - public transportation, food and entertainment after 10pm, museums, parks, etc...
• Independent Mindset - Less Chains, More Entrepreneurs, especially in our respective industries:  restaurants, spas, and such.
• Cost of living is always a concern, but manageable.  Big city prices also tends to go hand in hand with big city wages.
• Neighborhoods that we like and fit (somewhat) within a reasonable budget.

While this is not an all inclusive list, it does hit on most of the major points.  Our current prospects are Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Seattle and Portland.  While they all have their ups and downs, all three cities hit all of the points above in some respect. 

The missus is from the twin cities so we have held off on a fact finding mission there.  That left Portland and Seattle.  I hadn't been to Portland since I was a kid and was pleasantly surprised.  Portland has an incredible independent spirit.  We went out to eat in three different neighborhoods at three restaurants with extremely diverse cuisines, and had fantastic meals at all three.  We drove around for hours and the only prominent chain was 7-11!  When you head out to the suburbs, the chains start to make their presence known, but surprisingly PDX proper has managed to beat the majority off with a stick.  All in all our time in Portland was great and we also spent a ton of time with my aunt, uncle and assorted cousins and mini-cousins.

Now, on to Seattle.  As opposed to Portland, we have visited Seattle multiple times in the past few years and it has also been on the prospective "list" since we lived in Hawaii.  I really like Seattle.  I really like a particular neighborhood in Seattle.  Unfortunately, so do lots of other people.  We would be paying through the nose for rent, but the access to restaurants, shops, Pike Place Market, Downtown (where all the hotels are), Parks, Museums, Botanical Gardens and more is unparalleled.  This particular area is so cool, I just couldn't see us living too far away from it.

Ah, the Twin Cities.  Home of the in-laws.  And Prince.  I really like the Twin Cities.  It has every major sports league and a few minor league teams as well (Go Saints!).  The music scene is great, the towns are gorgeous and they have a very quirky mindset.  My wife has tons of family in the area, which is very important to her, and all of her friends have slowly trickled back into the area.  The Grove Girls are in full effect, with the exception of 1-2 stragglers.  The cost of living is actually the lowest of the three suitor cities and public transportation is pretty good.  There's really only one issue:  THE WINTER. 

Please understand:  I am the guy who opens the window, in the winter, before I go to bed.  We go camping and I am thrilled when I can see my breath inside the tent.  But Minnesota winter?  That's just nuts.  Minneapolis/St. Paul is a big metropolitan area.  I can't figure out how that many people managed to coalesce in the frozen tundra.  It baffles me.  Maybe all the cars shut down if you try to make a run for the south. 

So, we have a big decision to make.  Fortunately, management opportunities in hotels always begin online, so when the good times start slowing down in Asia, I can hit the job market before we return to the US.  Who knows, maybe we'll be coming to an area near you?