7/10/13 NEW UPDATE IN POST #1 -- If you can spare a couple of prayers or good thoughts today...

[specialkmom]

We lived in Rochester, MN for 5 years. My DH worked for Mayo. We loved our time there, minus winter time. The community is awesome, city is clean and beautiful. Mayo is a wonderful place for care. Now that we've moved I appreciate Mayo's system so much more than before. If it wasn't for winter, I would say it's one of the best cities I've lived in.

 

We have friends who work for Mayo Jacksonville. It's a bit smaller than Mayo Rochester, but they still have excellent physicians (many who trained at Mayo Rochester). Our friends love the Jacksonville area.

 

As far as housing, Jacksonville might be slightly more accommodating as weather is always nice. Most houses in Rochester have basements. This past winter in Rochester was unusually long, but winter can last from late October until Early April. Doesn't mean it always does.

 

If you don't mind some snow and cold, I'd say go to Rochester. It's Mother Mayo. :)