I had LASIK about 20 years ago also and would do it again if I needed it. I wore glasses for a few years and then contacts before my LASIK. It was such a big improvement for me. I'd recommend it! The side effects, rare dry eyes, were minimal.
Another option is to take the job in La Crosse, and then make it a point to hunt out west each year (or every other) with an underlying motivation to find a spot to one day settle. You could do a lot of research beforehand and chose to hunt in the areas that sound like they might be a good fit...
That's a tough decision. I live in La Crosse and its a great place to live and raise a family (if that's in your equation). I was born and raised here, have lived elsewhere, but came back. The Mississippi River, as others have mentioned, offers great fishing as well as waterfowl hunting, if...
Yes, just saw them for the first time last year in Des Moines, Iowa. Unforgettable.
Some other good ones include:
Black Sabbath a few times (Chicago and Mpls)
Pink Floyd a few times (back in '87,'88)
Roger Waters
David Gilmour
The Cult
Motorhead
The Cure
NIN
Garbage in Madison
QOTSA in...