I was born and raised just outside of Philly, (Swarthmore) when I left, I found that I left nothing there. I have been back a few times to visit relatives who live in the city but there is no way in gods green earth that I would ever live there again, they just don't make enough money for it. I would be in jail within one month. More than likely for shooting someone.

I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday.

sales tax is now up to 8%...

sigh...

9.5% here.

You know Angela, I have been contemplating a move too because wood products has contracted so badly. Recently, I have traveled around at looking places with an economy that had some redeeming qualities (like space, beauty, etc.) When I fly back into Medford, skimming over the mountains into our little valley, I know I'm home. There are few finer places than this. I resolved to raise my kids here, find a way to meet the needs of the family, and if need be, ride the wood business into the ground. I have faith that we will be OK. In the mean time, we will enjoy this place and build our own money generator...

I visited Philly a few years ago and I found it to be expensive, crowded, dirty, loud, in short- a typical big city. If you can get used to living in a big city, that's great. Could you live in the suburbs and take a train/bus/etc... in each day?