if you've been around us you probably know - we're not even sure ourselves what we really want.

will we move for money? maybe.
will we move for a kickin' office culture? maybe.
would i move if i didn't have to commute and could walk to work? mmm - probably...

i don't think you'll find much consensus BUT...

if i were to define a dream job it would be that i could work on star-quality work, have a good amount of design input/discretion, be paid a fair market rate, and live in a community of my choice (i.e., not necessarily east coast, west coast). ...and not have to commute to the 'burbs.

i would say it totally depends on what stage of your career you are in. i'm an intern finishing up idp. i made my last move about six months ago. at the time, i left: a.) because i could walk to work; b.) to see how another office practiced (w/ additional design responsibilities in a more design-oriented firm); c.) a modest increase in pay (was not really that important, but nice).

in retrospect, i think i probably should have put more emphasis on finding an office that i could learn from under experienced mentors. as an intern, the types of experiences you will gain from a job is in my opinion the most important aspect to look for in an office.

Well, I’m conspicuously new at that but being as though you offered, “architects of today”; I’ll offer something for the newly emerging professionals:

As an right now, my career and personal objectives:

Design input opportunity
Creative, explorative, brave design led office philosophy, among other elements
Cultured work and residential office location; set or at least transitioning into
Pedestrian-okay work and residential office location that makes me want to walk
Varied mix of office tasks
Money!
Professional mobility/ Promotional opportunity
Successful office; set or at least transitioning to
Architecturally appreciated/inspiring location

I think, in that order as well

$$$ and a 401K

40hrs a week