Ranking Schmanking

Here we are in life, interviews for Cody are over, FINALLY!  At first, we (Cody), thought that because we didn't have 13 or more interviews, things weren't going to go so well for us (him).  After interviewing at our 8 wonderful choices - Huntington, WV, New Orleans, LA, Milwaukee, WI, Detroit, MI, Erie, PA,  Fresno, CA, Albuquerque, NM, and Phoenix, AZ - we decided, we'd be happy and excited to call one of those places home for the next 5 years, but, that we have saved thousands of dollars and many days of extra travel by having fewer interviews.  Me and Cody decided it is WAY harder to rank these places than we thought.  We are still a little uncertain on the top 3, because EVERY one of these interviews went so well.  Cody had very interesting, very positive comments from most of the chairman's, attending's, and residents during his interviews.  One told Cody he "oozed goodness."  One said that Cody's personal statement was like a, "beautiful piece of literary work and he had to read it over and over again he liked it so much."  Cody was told that he would be a, "unique and diverse candidate, which they are looking for [more diversity]" (Cody has never been classified as diverse, being male and caucasian. I thought that was interesting).  He had other comments such as; "You interview very well." "We are pulling for you to be ranked at the top of our list." Once asked, "Did you apply to San Antonio?" (coming from one of the attending's who was moving the following year to San Antonio, liked Cody so much, was hinting at and wishing Cody was coming to Texas with him). He was also invited multiple times to different homes after interviews. 

I know I am totally bragging on Cody, but I cannot even tell you how utterly PROUD and HAPPY I am of him and for him!  His whole life he has worked so hard, paying for every cent of school the entire way himself.  He has told me he is not a natural genius, a great test taker, or even a good memorizer, he has spent many days of his life studying extra hard to keep up with the geniuses, reading textbooks galore, putting straining effort, energy and thought into each of his subjects. The kicker is that during all those years of schooling, he also had other pressures; always keeping one or more jobs to pay for the schooling, having callings in EQ that required hours of attention and dedication, and of course keeping his girlfriend (me) happy and wanting to marry him, despite his crazy future of a life.  Then during med school keeping a lot of those same responsibilities and add on ten more, including having a son. 

Well! My dear, sweet, hard working husband ... you made it!  You will soon have a career! As a Doctor!!!!  

  I believe he WILL match at one of those place.  I feel it in my bones, but we find out for sure on March 16th this year.  Six short weeks away.

Here are the possible places we could end up.  These are not in order of preference, we haven't decided how we will rank yet. 

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Pros and Cons of living there: Closer to family (5 hour drive from Monticello), great Ortho program with many specialty options, moonlighting is available (which allows Cody to earn more money every month if he chooses).  Beautiful weather year round, 4 seasons with comfort, meaning never TOO cold nor TOO hot.  

                                                      All kinds of fun, family-friendly things to do right in Albuquerque.  All kinds of outdoor activities year round (big one for us); hiking, biking, camping, skiing, hot air ballooning, lakes close by.  Only one hour from Sante Fe, one and a half hours from Santa Rosa.  Lots of exciting history, museums, and of course, YUMMY foods. (Our favorite food is mexican, so this would be a huge selling point for us too).

The housing market is very affordable, allowing us to purchase there.  Easy commute to the hospital for Cody, good schools for Talmage, and best of all, we got a temple right in our backyard.  No more all day trips to visit the temple. 

Phoenix, Arizona

Pros and cons of living there: Close to both family, (5 hours to Monticello and 6 hours to St. George).  There is the possibility that Heather and Clay end up working there too, having family in the neighborhood. Phoenix has a major airport hub, cheaper and fast flights home and more direct flights.  Weather wise, I have heard 6 months of warm, comfortable weather and 3 months of extreme heat, but at least there is no snow to shovel. Another great Ortho program with lots of great educational opportunities. There is also a great reputation of schools for Talmage to attend.   

Pools and water activities year round.  A lot of fun indoor activities to escape the heat during the summer.  Within a few short hours of many famous landmarks and interesting places to see.  Vegas, Disneyland, Lake Powell and Flagstaff being a few. 

Housing is the most affordable here, getting us more home per dollar.  There is a bit more traffic here, but not horrible. We also have a Temple in Mesa and the Phoenix Temple is in the works of being built.

Mesa Temple

Fresno, California

Pros and cons of living there: Well, it's California!  Still closer to family (12 -14 hour drives) than anywhere on the east coast or midwest.  Beautiful weather year round.  The program in Fresno is new and growing, giving Cody experimental and leadership opportunities, with hopes of incorporating moonlighting into the program soon.  Again, great schools available for Talmage.  

It is a very agriculturally rich city with tons of farmers markets selling all sorts of delicious produce.  It is 45 minutes from the mountains and Yosemite.  Few hours drive from other major cities such as; Sacramento, San Fransisco, Los Angeles San Diego, Oakland, Las Vegas etc. 

Housing is pretty affordable, not quite like Phoenix or Albuquerque, but we could still purchase.  Perk of owning in Fresno....we could have a garden in the backyard.  Commute is not bad at all, it being a smaller city in Cali. Of course there is a Temple there too. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

Pros and cons of living there:  The atmosphere and excitement.  Never a dull moment.  Lots of fun things to do, although I am not sure it's very kid friendly.  Far from family, but a fun place to visit might win us more visitors.  The program was a home run for Cody again, very impressive, with very profitable moonlighting available.  

Do I even need to mention the music, art and food?  We would definitely get fat living here.  It is close to all kinds of beautiful beaches, 3 hours from Seaside, Florida (where I worked one summer at a restaurant), they have gorgeous, clean, white beaches.  

The houses are so beautiful and the detail so intricate, it would be an activity in itself just walking the neighborhoods and towns.  Housing is affordable, but flood insurance alone is the biggest expense (but worth it if you consider the weather there on occasion).  

They have a Temple in Baton Rouge which is our next door neighbor, so good news in that department as well. 

Baton Rouge temple

Erie, Pennsylvania

Pros and cons of living there: Smaller town, less headache of a big city, easier commute for Cody.  The program again is a hit.  Really got along with all the residents.  Far away from family again, but not even a days drive to New York and other exciting east coast cities.  

There is a huge peninsula that juts out for 12 miles that has tons of warm sandy beaches to play on in the in the summertime, or to go biking or running on in the other seasons. Lots of fun sailing on the Lake (no sharks...phew).  

Housing is  affordable with lots of family friendly, beautiful neighborhoods to live in.  I think the nearest Temple is the Palmyra Temple (few hours drive, but gorgeous). 

Palmyra temple

 Huntington, West Virginia

Pros and Cons of living there: Very similar to Erie, a small town and far away from family, but non-the-less, very close to the East Coast and a lot of other major, fun, exciting cities to visit.  It is beautiful country with rolling hills and rivers and lakes.  Surrounded by trees and has all four seasons.  The program is a bit newer also, but very impressive to Cody and has a lot of great residents to work with.  

Lots of trains, which Talmage is infatuated with right now, that would be fun to go check out.  Don't even get me started on the adorable houses (which are very affordable) and the cozy feeling neighborhoods.  All around safe, clean, environment.  Fast and easy commute for Cody.  Good schools as well.  

Nothing like living in a quiet, small town and relaxin a bit.  The closest Temple I believe is the Columbus, Ohio Temple (few hours drive, another beauty though).

Columbus, Ohio Temple

Detroit, Michigan

Pros and Cons of living there:  I know! Detroit, and they just went through a horrible recession, leaving tons of people out of work and a ton of abandoned buildings with all the windows broken through.  The city was very dirty with trash all over the highways too.  Doesn't sound too good yet does it?  Well take a 15 minute drive into the suburbs surrounding Detroit and you got very pleasant, very affordable houses, with nice schools, and good communities.  

The program has a lot of perks to offer, including profitable moonlighting, new car (Henry Ford is the program, makes sense), and a lot of specialty programs.  It is close to Canada and other major cities.  They actually have a Detroit Temple too. Who woulda thought?  

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pros and cons of living there:  I don't need to go into too much detail about Milwaukee.  I have been blogging about all the things we have done here for the last three years.  The Ortho program here is great like the others and could offer us a lot.  I actually think Milwaukee is a very beautiful city with a lot of affordable, nice houses and good neighborhoods to live in.  There is a lot to do downtown and a lot to do a few hours out of town.  Madison, Chicago, Wisconsin Dells, and even Nauvoo, etc. 

 It would be an easy transition to live here again.  We have our friends here and would be happy to call it home again.  Our closest Temple is the Chicago, Illinois Temple (1 1/2 hour drive).  

Well, that's it folks, an hour later and you have heard it all.  If you want to reply, explaining which place you think would be best and your reasoning, it wouldn't hurt us to hear some of your opinions.