Its such a hard decision. Places I have considered which are dense but less city-like but also not too rural: Howard County MD (which is between Baltimore and Washington DC), Montgomery County MD, Fairfax County VA (where I moved to, close to family), all have good services available and enough density and income levels that support those good services, and lots of jobs. I read somewhere a while ago that Maryland state. requires insurance to cover autistic kids until 18yo, and Virginia requires it for whole life, but I don’t know how important that is really, as long as they can qualify for DD Medicaid waivers (apply early). All these counties I mentioned have good school systems, although nothing is ever quite perfect for kids with autism, it seems. We have warmer weather than the other places you mentioned, for better or worse, depending on your preference. I would suggest looking at county websites and school district websites and “autism /disability supports” to see if anything stands out (like a weak plan compared to lots of services and plans). Hard decision! Good luck!

If life came with guarantees the world would be better certainly this country will being live in arkansas and I fight constantly to ensure my kid gets what she needs and even then I fail from time to time NYC is expensive I know that I'd wager rural areas don't get much cheaper in New York I know you can look at states that are much cheaper but you will still have to fight tooth and nail I have a 3 bedroom 1 and 1/2 bath in a not so safe neighborhood and my mortgage is 550$ without know your husband's trade that's all I can offer you

Sounds like your set up to go anywhere...I'm sorta stuck here my husband's mother is here in a nursing facility we don't have guardianship of her so we can't move her I just got my cdl and my husband is disabled so for now we are stuck here once she passes on we plan on moving to Colorado I graduated high-school up there but that all depends on my ability to make money here my daughter may not have all the services by name like hippotherapy but I can afford horse riding lessons it's a give and take whereever you go plus I really hate snow like a deep disparaging loathing of snow but I spent my youth shoveling it our driveway was a quarter mile and snow fall is very heavy in my home town

Thanks for your input Niki... well I can tell you that by experience in social work I am aware that there are some states that are better than others overall. I am so sorry that you've had a hard time with getting your child services. I can tell you that states with protections are the better bet. Yes cost of living will always be higher but it pays off. Hence why I am researching these states specifically. The protections at a state level are higher. And there are more programs accesible. I would just like real imput from real people rather than relying soles on statistics.

My husband is a versitile man he has done everything security, customer service, plumbing, construction, trucking. So not too concerned of work availability as we are well skilled and adaptable. We both speak 5 languages and hold degrees and certifications in various areas.

I have a bachelor's degree in economics and one in psychology. I posses a real estate license for the state of NY and a Life Insurance License as well. I have worked in all fields including teaching and child care. I have also had my own catering buissness at some point. I also make custom cakes. (I HAVE AN IG: @A MyAutismTeam Member.RECETA please feel free to follow!)

I say all this to say that I am very open to change just looking for a place that can offer a fighting chance not just anywhere. Hence my question. Our priority are 100% our kids above all else (finances careers ect).

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