This might be the a propos time to link to the Linden Lab 6-month
"Buy-Down offer"
Not that I think that everybody should run out and buy Kitty Market sims, but really, if you have a sim, and can afford the transition fee (LL seems to need the cash), it seems to make sense.
Now I can twiddle my thumbs and wait for them to lower Mainland tier, but that doesn't seem likely.