I opted for contracting pneumonia. I highly recommend it as a time-passing tool (so many extra hours of sleep in addition to general apathy), but otherwise it's been less than pleasant. As I begin to recover, I think I'll switch to purging my excessive belongings ahead of the cross-country move. And, possibly, cleaning the spaces beneath them.
I'm also interested in hearing some perspectives on the area in terms of family-friendliness. Any grad students with kids who might be able to offer advice/insights? Are there school districts to avoid or target? Neighborhoods? Nearby towns that might be better for families despite adding a commute?