From the Northwest Back to the Southwest

[Selah]

Hi, everyone! It's been a long time since I've posted much, basically since online, I tend to stick to the philosophy "If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all." Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that after about 18 months up here in the top left-hand corner of the 48 contiguous states (Whatcom County, WA), DH and I are moving back to Nevada--specifically, Las Vegas.

I have found it more difficult to settle in this place than anyplace I've ever lived. Work has been very hard to find, and near impossible to even get interviews. Same goes for making friends. We have been unable to find a synagogue that "clicks," even though we've given three of them (two in Canada!) a fair shot. I desperately miss our old Vegas synagogue and the rabbi there. And this is a pet peeve, but living outside of Bellingham, the roads are very narrow, have no shoulders, are very winding, and are lined with deep rain ditches. All that, combined with the constant deer that jump out in front of cars constantly, with no overhead lighting, makes it very dangerous to drive. We are both getting older and do not want to risk getting a face full of airbag and a totaled car just because we have to swerve slightly to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

On the good side, my healthcare providers have all been outstandingly good and I've made a lot of progress in my physical and mental health. It's also been great to be so close to my mother and stepfather after so many decades of having long-distance relationships.

Still, Vegas calls to us. We went there for a week for my 50th birthday, rented a house, and move there next week. It's near a big, open walking track away from traffic, so I can start exercising in the way that works best for me. The rabbi was very excited to see us and re-introduced us to the congregation after six years. Vegas offers a lot of what I really love in my life, and I'm looking forward to it. And I don't even gamble or frequent brothels or titty bars! :laff:

[rodeosweetheart]

How wonderful--I am thrilled for you, and have also looked at Las Vegas myself as a retirement destination--the weather is very intriguing.
Best of all, you can be back at your happy place.

Good luck and keep us all posted on the move!

[Teacher Terry]

I have lived in 5 different states and some places you fit in better than others. Glad you were able to go where it will make you happy.

[nswef]

How nice Selah that you can get back to a climate you want. Sometimes it takes trying new places to see that you prefer the old and fortunately you are able to go home again.

[Float On]

You did rent in WA while there right? Seems I remember a discussion about renting vs. buying and this is a very good example of why it's best to rent a year in a new location, finding it's just not the right fit for you and being able to relocate again so quickly is wonderful. Congrats on "going home".

[Selah]

Thanks, everyone! Yes, we really only picked Washington because at the time we moved back to America from Israel, we needed a state with legalized medical marijuana for DH. My mother happened to live here, too, so it seemed a good choice. We were actually supposed to buy the house we've been renting, and were jerked around by the mortgage underwriters for nine months...eight months longer than they'd promised. Once we told our landlady/seller that we'd received a final "no" (they didn't like that our Israeli employers converted us to independent contractor status once we'd returned to America, and wanted two years of tax returns to "be sure"), she gave us an ultimatum: "Either give me $20K cash right now and I'll jack up your rent to $1900 a month until you DO get a mortgage, or get out by the end of the month." That was two weeks ago.

Fortunately, Nevada legalized MM about a year ago. But DH was very happy here, and he really wanted this house, etc. Unfortunately, things are going south with MM in Washington now, and the future is grim. When we went to Vegas to celebrate my 50th birthday, instead of lounging by the pool, we ran around trying to find housing. Delightfully, the climate is so much better for DH there that his need for MM reduced immediately by about 80%. So even though MM is more expensive there, we'll still save money since he needs to consume far less.

He balked, initially, at coming back to Vegas. But now he's come around and is very excited about it. Hooray!

[Gardenarian]

That's very exciting, and what an enormous change! I'm glad to hear that your DH is feeling better.

While I love Oregon, my entire family has recently been diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency. Well, we may have been deficient before we moved here, but the climate and latitude do take a toll.

Best of luck to you!

[Cypress]

Good for you. It's a lot of decisions to make. I guess Nevada is a lot sunnier and drier than Washington. The climate alone might be a motivator too.

I am curious what you write about MM. I am in Massachusetts, despite the fact MM was approved by the voters, not one dispensary is in operation across the state. I voted for it and am really disappointed how the state has complicated the licensing procedure. I mean, come on. Lately, the legislature started arguing about legalizing M. Not sure why unless it is seen as a revenue stream. My guess is folks that use this as a way to treat some illnesses, already grow it at home to be sure of the quality ingested.

Good luck on the move and relocation.

[JaneV2.0]

My observation of Oregon and Washington's marijuana management is that they both have a bunch of ridiculous restrictions, hoops for retailers to jump through, and prohibitive taxes. I doubt the black market will be going away soon. It's only the un-connected (like yours truly) who will be paying the inflated prices. Which reminds me--I still haven't made that cannabis salve...:idea:

[rosarugosa]

Hi Cypress: I know there are functioning dispensaries in Salem, Brockton, Northhampton, Whitinsville, & Brookline, and there are probably more that I don't know about. I'm told that Leafly.com is a good reference.

[Teacher Terry]

Nevada legalized it something like 7 years ago and it is only recently that you have been able to buy it. So ridiculous that it took so long.

[Selah]

Exactly! I should have been more precise. What a strange way for a state to go about it, eh? DH takes comfort in the fact that now that the law has had enough time to be tweaked and worked out, they're unlikely to start messing with it now, as opposed to Washington state, which is constantly making it worse for MM patients.

[Teacher Terry]

The biggest problems that any state faces is that they can't use a bank since it violates federal law. So they have to have a big warehouse full of cash and then have it guarded 24-7. So it takes a lot of $ to set up the operation. I know that was one of the stumbling blocks in Nevada. I have a friend that is a security expert and he was telling us about it.

[sweetana3]

Nevada would have the best security firms for handling loads of cash. The casinos have trained them well.