> This is giving me a lot of strife, because the job is located in San Francisco, and even if I get it I don't know if I want to move to the USA. The thought of leaving Coastguard and selling my boat, in addition to the huge hassles of such a move, is quite frankly terrifying. But at the same time, I have no idea at all what I could go into or what I'll end up doing if I stay here. I sort of feel like the world is going to end in March.
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> I'm not sure why I'm telling you all this anyway, except that you can probably tell I'm feeling a bit low, and more apocalyptic than I ever was for the millennium. :-) I'd ask you all to keep your fingers crossed for me, but the truth is, I have no idea what I even *want* to happen. So, yeah, whatever.

I sympathize with you in your standpoint, the focus where you are at right now. From the care and accomplishment that you put into refinishing your boat, and from a similar amount of energy that you display on your page, you're likely a person who does not uproot easily. The opportunity before you is both an awesome and terrifying prospect. And were I in your shoes, I'm not sure I could sell something that till now has been a visible representation of my dreams!

Regarding your choice, I don't think I can offer specific consolation that is really worth anything. But one thing you can assess -- if you haven't done so already -- is to figure out how much of your personal satisfaction, with where you are now, is directly due to confidence in your own abilities; and how much of it is due to your immediate environment (your friends, NZ, the city, your jobs, etc.) Then you could try making contact with as many San Franciscans as possible. Find out what type of environment you could expect *there* on a residency basis. This type of exercise may help ease the decision somewhat.

Wolf "Wishing you strength and clear sailing ahead, my friend" spirit