@ ketchup, I hear ya, I'm just not sure how cramped we want to be. 2 adults, a toddler, an infant, and a dog in the Matrix for 41 hours seems like a bit much :) A mini-van is about $500 for the week so that could work. But how do you ship cars? Do you just sell them both? A used Kia Sedona is around $10K. I purged a lot before VA but man did I have a lot. Such a pack rat. I'm getting better. I'm also a musician so I have drums, guitars, amps, etc. Worship Arts Pastor is my calling so it's hard to ditch too much. Plus, before it was just a matter of making/spending/saving. Now the goal is much bigger.
@eyem, yup, VA was a 5 year residency and CA is a two year fellowship. That's why I'm not too concerned with savings rate. We haven't done enough in the last 15 years so what's 2 more when her income will be 300K+. We'll be able to catch up quick. I thought about selling lots but most of our stuff is 10 years old and not going to be worth much. It seemed cheaper to spend $2K on a pod and move it all. Plus, I don't really have time to sell stuff on this side of the country. I work 40, commute 10 (yes, I know, big mistake), put in about 10 at church, and then take care of the household. I also appreciate the concern for the marriage, I"m glad that perspective is brought up here. We're fine though, been married for 13 years and have been through a lot together. We're a great team.
@skunkfunk, I agree and they're hard to come by. I'm just not sure how to move it to CA other than driving. Plus, with the Insight underwater I'm not sure where it would leave me in the end. I realize now that the Insight was only a good deal if I were to drive it until it died. With 30k miles a year it just loses value too fast.
Thanks everybody!