Please note I am not saying ALL of the south is racist, We loved Atlanta but choose not to move back, I actually appreciate and love the lifestyle of the south and most people I met. This post was regarding the move and wondering which areas might be a little more liberal or perhaps less racist. So sorry so many of you dislike CAlifornia but what can I say, again I should repeat I lived in Atlanta and choosing to move BACK south because I love it and miss it, just reseaching and learning more and more everyday, and yes many CA give the wrong advice but come to find out many of them have never been south so I would like to concentrate on the advice on the cities I mentioned and not bash California or any other city, again the kids and I are excited about this move, we enjoy church and more interested in researching the possibilities of autism support also.

Nat

many Californians are warning me about the racism, closed minded attitutes and backwards education

Don't complain about responses to your OP.

Dear Starrsville, I have apologized on more than one post. You have told me off on more than enough post. Again we are excited about our move and I will more than careful about my wording next time. You have told me about myself, my thoughts and I wonder if my post is the worst on this site, so again I am sorry I am sorry I am sorry, I was honest about the comments, and I made a mistake starsville, I am sorry I am sorry. I am now moving on to other topics like autism, cost of living etc..

Nat

To Dorkforce mom, thanks so much for post on Texas. I found a few Texas websites for special needs and your right the waiting list is years long. My daughters teacher has a autistic child and she was on a list forever, ended up having to move. I will continue to research and pray. I hope I did not offend you in my original post that was not my intention at all.

Nat

aurochelle, here is another site to help you find an autism support group once you have settled.

http://www.cec.sped.org/

The CEC is the largest organization of its kind. It has a discussion forum, which may provide support to you as well.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Nat,

I know that Madison, WI is far from the south. However, I wanted to let you know that there is a waiver program here that is nearly fully funded that provides considerable $$$ for families impacted by autism. The Waisman Center is an internationally known center on disabilities. And, the city has everything you are looking for, along with unemployment in the 2% range.

We relocated last year from the Chicago area due to the excellent public schools and the top notch services for adults with special needs. Our 13 year-old with cerebral palsy has made a great adjustment as have our other three kids.

Good luck to you in your search. I'd suggest you research interesting areas of the country through CAN (Cure Autism Now) where a lot of active families will be willing to provide feedback.

Regards,

Kevin

My daughter in law is getting her PhD in psychology - specifically working with autistic children. She is from NC (Raleigh) and is studying in NY. Her father runs the psychology department of a small college in Raleigh. We were discussing the costs associated with autistic education in NC vs. NY. NY has a voucher system and the children have access to very good programs at no additional cost (beyond their very high taxes!). In NC the programs are funded much more by the impacted families. So while the treatments may be very good - they are very expensive. As you investigate autistic educational opportunities - please keep in mind any costs you must bear for this education. I didn't realize it varied so widely by state.

In addition to investigating schools, I'd think about longterm assistance. For example, how old is your child with autism? Are you planning on staying in this new locale for that time in which your child ages out of school? (which is 21 years of age) While that may seem like forever into the future, the time does pass quickly, in which case you'll want to examine programs available/waiting lists for those in the community/statewide with special needs. We moved from Louisiana to Texas when my daughter was 2. She is severely disabled and, to be frank, it never dawned on me to check into what needs she'd have as an adult. She is turning 21 this year and the programs she's been on go away then. I realize this is way more info than you needed - I'm just reminding you to think longterm. Sometimes, for me, the immediate needs of today cloud thinking for tomorrow. Hope this is helpful...

Hi Julie and Dorkforcemom, long term is so important. The thing is CA and NY offer the most in terms of services after age 21. I am learning its a real struggle in Texas even Austin, My friend just emailed me suggesting that we do not consider Texas short or long term. Julie where is your daughter studying in NY? is she upstate? NY is very expensive but I am not sure about upstate NY ? We have some extended family in the south but the are just as concerned as I about long term for my son, he is six. I left GA when he was very little because of lack of services.Many of parents support group parents moved to Madison or CA or NY to get the same program I did. My mother got her PH D in Madison is a wonderful city, my concern is the weather (winter) another thing is my son does have a eating disorder, this whole thing is challenging but I am determined to stay strong and raise the kids as best I can. I quess sometimes after doing a 40 hour fulltime home program for autism, well sometimes I take a moment and remember how much I miss the south, friends, quality of life, slower life etc.. I wanted to respond to the post earlier about Madison, its the winter that concerns me.

Nat

Why don't you look at a different part of California? Or even a different area in Sacramento? The schools vary from school district to school district, but they all have to comply with the same State and Federal laws re special education. What exactly is it about the schools your children attend that you don't like?

Nat.. she is at Binghamton (my daughter in law).... That part of the state is very cheap - except for taxes. You can still find a house for 100K... However, you may not be able to find a job...

Hi aurochelle, good luck! We left Sacto for the exact same reasons 13 yrs ago. We ended up choosing Madison WI, after research (Places Rated book helped alot, as did visiting 3 of our "finals" for a few days). The people on the ohone while were were calling w/many questions were SO helpful here in WI. People in Milwaukeee even invited us into there homes to tealk t ous. I'm originally from Detroit, so the cold was actually a welcome change from the hot Sacramento valley. It was hard at first, since we have no family in the state, and CA is a nice place to visit but if you're not comfortable there, why stay? We also considered Asheville but the job situation here was much better. It was lovely & friendly in Asheville.
Take care.
Sue

Sorry, bad typing.

I noticed that you mentioned Augusta Ga. I am sure that you know that it is the location of the Medical College of Georgia. It might be worth your while to see if they are doing any research into autism. I know that do a lot of very good work in a lot of areas. My son got his MD there. There are a lot of hospitals and a University level college (I forget it's name)

Usually when you find a community such as that around a Medical School and University, you will find that the school systems reflect a higher level of achievment. Better educated parents insist on good schools for their children.

Augusta summers are HOT, but the winters are quite mild. If you like the Southern Style of life, I think you would like Augusta.

Barbara CA for me is very expensive, For instance Orange County has some of the best schools but rent is $ 2,000 and up oh thats if you are lucky. Sue Madison is so beautiful my mother and I had great memories. Do you have a autistic child? Sac is very hot so I am use to heat and humid weather afte GA, I always look at the medical centers because find a dentist or doctor in general familiar with autism really helps! you know what Augusta looks really beautiful, I only know one person who moved from there but it seems small enough to meet people. No state will have the resources like CA for autism but I have to remember I have
to other little girls that need to have a healthy life, I try not make it all about my son but you almost have to. CA has alot of CDC which is after school care free on most elementary sites if you qualify, I am having a hard time locating the same in some cities, I found in NC alot of parents mentioned the YMCA but I have not got the cost or if its sliding scale, also so far no respite in any other states.

Nat

Hi Sue I am wondering if you did a comparison of Sac vs Madison, for instance in CA we do get respite paid thru the state, and resources, I am wondering if you receive the same or more in Madison, I know the public school education is wonderful, I went to middle school in Madison, family values its so much more diverse and more expensive but I was just wondering?
SO many families with special needs children want to move on but worry that the resources will be less than here. Its funny connecting with the autism society of GA sometimes the smaller towns have the stronger support groups, such as Augusta.

nat
nat

I would narrow my choices down by doing the research for autism programs. I'll toot Nashville's horn now. Vanderbilt University has brand spankin' new (get used to expressions like that) Childrens Hospital and a top-notch teacher's education program. Between the two of them, I would think there are good things going on in working with autistic children. Quality of life wise, I think it's great. We have many California transplants due to the music industry and Nissan just announcing they are moving their North American HQ here (from LA). We have friendly people, four seasons, health food stores, foreign films and interracial dating and marriages here.

You might want to look at New Mexico. I know of a family who recently left Texas for NM because it had significantly better programs for special needs children.

I would highly recommend Roanoke, Va which is in Southwest Va. It has an amazing school system, is known for less expensive (but nice) housing, and has much to offer. Also, if you live in Va, your children will have access to an amazing state college system, including Va. Tech, UVA, William & Mary, Jame Madison University, Longwood, etc. which would be less expensive for you as a resident.