What to do?

So we actually had a really nice visit with our family (albiet for a funeral, but it got us all together...thanks Grandma, we missed you).  It stirred up some thoughts with my husband and myself.  

Thought 1: A nice chunk of our family lives in Colorado, including my sister-in-law (and husband), an Aunt and Uncle, Cousin (with wife and child) and it would be nice to live in the same town as some of our family. 

Thought 2: Colorado doesn't require licensure to practice mental health professions.  So basically, my husband could hang a sign and start practicing as a Marriage and Family Therapist.  This is especially tempting because in KY or any other state (!) he has to have a certain number of supervision hours (therapy where he works with another therapist on the side to ensure he's "on the right track" essientially).  You have to pay a supervisor for these hours.  Once you've completed these supervision hours, then you can apply for professional licensure.  

Problem 1: Durango is in the middle of nowhere and really far from my parents (the farthest I'd ever have lived from them).  We're talking a plane ride across country, then a 3 hour car ride.  Talk about a pain in the ass to visit.  My in-laws aren't even that close to this town.  From where they live in Utah, its still an 8 hour drive.  Not convenient, might as well fly somewhere.  

Problem 2: Durango is in the middle of nowhere.  There is a college there (Fort Lewis College), but it has no nursing program, let alone a 2nd degree nursing program.  There is a branch of the "nearby" community college (Pueblo Community College) in town and it has some basic nursing programs (LPN, RN, etc), its not quite what I want and wouldn't be as convenient as UK or UNC Greensboro (both of which have what I want and would be convenient if we lived in their respective towns).  So there's that.  

Problem/Thought 3: Durango is a small resort town located in the beautiful white capped mountains of southwestern Colorado.  This means that realestate is really, really expensive and that isn't going to change...ever.  Although the views are breathtaking from any where you stand in Durango, a manufactured home (see: trailor) cost you upwards of $250K.  Really?  Really.  So you can imagine what an actual (stick built) house or cabin would cost you.  My family ain't livin' in no trailor, the end.  Unfortunately, the nearest subdivision is in Farmington, NM.  And although Farmington is nice, its not in Colorado, which means no practicing M&FT out of our

 home, with no license. 

Problem/Thought 4: What if Derek wants to continue his PhD?  Fort Lewis doesn't have any graduate programs.  Granted, we could move to Boulder or Denver, but that would mean being far away from the family (see Thought 1).  I just don't see the point to that.   

So here's where I am with this whole thing: Although the practicing therapy aspect of moving to Colorado would be great and somewhat easy to start up, I don't think its the best decision for us long term.  I'm afraid Derek will get bored or won't be able to build up a strong enough client base (in a town of 15,000) or that I won't be able to find a job or won't be happy with the nursing program thats available.  I have grown quite accustomed to living in towns that have lots of modern conveniences (like places to shop and lots of ethnic restaurants and things to do with the kids and religious diversity, etc, etc, etc).   Of course I could adjust, but right now I don't want to.  I get a sick feeling in the bottom of my stomach when I think about being so far away from my home-home/parents.  I realize thats normal and that feeling would probably fade over time?  Being close to the family would be great, but it'd be good in NC too.  I have two aunts and a cousin in Raleigh, and a half day drive from my parents.  Not bad.  All the modern conveniences, a synagog near by in Chapel Hill, tons of schools to choose from for Lilly, very reasonably priced realestate, lots of major employers, lots of colleges for Derek and I to choose from, the ocean or mountains only a 3 hour drive away, a major airport for Derek's parents/sister and my sister (who is officially moving to Mississippi this summer)...the list goes on.  The supervision requirements for Derek's licensure in NC are less than here in KY.  Have I mentioned the climate yet?  Summer lasts about 3 months in CO, here in the east, it lasts about 5-6 months.  And winters are hard in the mountains, I know this because I grew up in some.   Mild winters don't sound so bad to me these days, especially after this winter (which almost stole my soul).  I mean, really KY?  I thought it would be like TN here.  Its totally not like TN at all.   

I'm not feeling it right now.  That doesn't mean that I couldn't change my mind...I'm open minded enough, it could happen.  Do you believe me?   

Happy, happy, happy Friday,
Molly Jane