Gigi, my job at the Arboretum in Hawaii was the best, but there was just no way that I was going to ever be able to own a home, much less any property larger than a tiny residential lot. Condo living just isn't my style. So yes, it is back to the mainland for me.
I'm not sad about it, though, the United States has plenty of beautiful places to offer. I'm seriously thinking about buying property near my friends in the New Mexico mountains. They live at around 8000 feet, and the surrounding National Forest is really nice, full of ponderosa pine, doug fir, spruce, etc. Making a living might be tricky, though, especially with the economy looking like it's turning downwards. I'll be patient and see what works out.
