gdgt

Thanks @groovechicken. If I knew of a good way to do it myself, I would like to try that. Can you explain what you do and how? Or is there a tutorial on the web that I follow? Thanks.

Here's my routine:
1. On the new machine, start with a clean install and run all the Software Updates until it is fully updated, taking care not to open any apps until after all data has been moved.
2. Copy all the files (except the Library folder) from the old machine's user folder(s) to the corresponding locations on the new machine.
3. Go through the Library folder in the user folder on the old machine and individually move the application data folders, preference files and folders, and other bits that are relevant which I want to keep.
4. Open the applications which would be affected by the data I moved to be sure that the data gets converted properly, i.e. Address Book, Safari, Mail (if needed), etc.... 3rd party applications should be fine since you are merely reinstalling the same versions you had before.
5. Rather than copying things from System and the root level Library folders, I usually just reinstall whatever applications put stuff in those locations to be sure everything is installed properly.
6. Spend a few days with the new machine to be sure everything seems right before nuking the old one.

While the manual process can be more nerve-wracking the first few times you do it, I have had a lot less problems this route than trusting Migration Assistant.

thanks again @groovechicken. I followed your method and it appears to have worked well. I actually pulled my most recent Time Machine backup files to use for my migration (hope this is OK to do). As far as I can tell there's not much wrong or missing yet. all my photos are in iphoto, my itunes library is restored, address book looks to be in order. safari bookmarks, keychains, etc., and the other few apps I've tried work just fine as well.

Off the top of your head, is there anything else I should check for before I upgrade to Lion (would like to install tomorrow, Friday)?

Btw, I did a copy/paste of everything instead of a move just in case I miss anything I can always pull it from my backup again later.

Again, thanks so much for your direction. Wish I could give you more rep points!

Glad to help! The only other thing I can think of off the top of my head is to be sure all the additional fonts you installed, if any, are there. I am on vacation and posting all this from my phone since I rarely have my Mac out, so it is difficult for me to double check. I will try to remember to take a quick look over things the next time I have it out to see if there is anything I might have forgotten.