[Prudence]

I'm a little torn about the temporary/permanent thing. I'd really like to do a federal appellate clerkship at some point, which will likely mean at least one year at the district court level first - or two years at state court. So, that's up to three years clerking. Assuming any federal appellate judge would have me, considering the lack of prestige associated with my institution of higher learning.

I'm also torn on the term/career clerk decision. I'm not sure I would be happy in a conventional firm. I might be happy, however, clerking for a number of years and moving into government or policy work. Which means I might end up staying put for awhile.

Plus, I hate moving, so I'd like to do it as little as possible.

So, I guess I'd rank places that are nice to live long-term over places that would be tolerable for a year.

Alaska does rate somewhat high on my list for its potential to involve not having neighbors so close I could lean out my kitchen and smack them. But it's pretty far away from anyone I know, any family, and anything we like to do. Conversely, California is closer to people I know and the weather wouldn't prohibit family visiting for Christmas, but damn there are a lot of people.

(That's why Sacramento was on the list, actually - in California, close enough for driving vacations to places we like to go, but housing seemed relatively affordable - which makes me wonder what's wrong with Sacramento.)