(This is actually relevant for me, since coming up with a workable exit strategy is near the top of my summer to-do list, and I expect it will mean relocation to somewhere I've never been before.

Here's the question: Suppose you're in a situation where it's time to "move on" and either do something different or do the same thing in a different place. How do you decide where to look?

Or if you love where you're at, what makes it so good for you?

For me anyway, this "where?" question has moved higher up the list than it may be for others. I'm just really tired of being surrounded by people who seem to see everything differently than I do. Whether its their economic thinking (or lack thereof), their view of what my job is, ideology, religion, taste in food, commitment to the wrong past, or a dozen other vague things I can't seem to specify, I'm just out of touch. Swimming against too many currents and pushing too many big rocks up too many bigger hills. Having to resort to too many depressing cliches too often.

So bottom line is, part of what I'm trying to figure out is what kinds of opportunities are absolutely essential for me in whatever city/region I end up moving to. And which are just excess whining on my part.

So far, I've identified four that are critical to me::

1. Jobs/possibility of jobs for which I qualify/have skill. Duh. This of course has to be on the list; but the whole point is that this by itself isn't enough. I have a tenured job now. It's not sufficient.

2. Diversity. No, not that silly kind of "diversity" that politically correct academics have been yammering about for the last couple decades. I'm talking true diversity -- the kind where lots of different individuals and ideas and value sets and intellectual bents are accepted and respected. Where people aren't defined first by their membership in a group.

3. Good food. Sue me, I'm a food snob. Plus to me life is about quality conversations, and sharing good food and having quality conversation to me go together.

4. State and local government. None of us can escape the feds, alas. But, it seems to me, some states/localities are going to be less intrusive/interventionist/idiotic than others. (I hope.) Some might be more likely ttoo be resistant the feds. Some might be less susceptible to sillinesses like public funding of billionaire circuses (yes, I mean football stadiums). Some might be more resistant to the "There oughta be a law" temptation. Some might be less susceptible to seeking government solutions via "grants" and "new programs" to every problem. I hope.

So what's on your list of "essentials"?

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