Well, I did it after 10 years in San Francisco (which, despite its slightly more New-York_like qualities, had slowed me down a lot). And despite the climate stuff and all the auxiliaries, I've never felt more at home.

Of course, I don't have a child, let alone one with special needs; I also suspect you feel far more rooted in L.A. than I ever did in S.F.(despite my networks and jobs and dancing life).

But much of what you list regenerates far more quickly than one expects, as if the ground were just waiting to be watered and throw up what you need. (Mind you, I said "need," not "want." There's a little bit of the Rolling Stones to the entire project - but isn't that true of life in general?)