Hey Sandy,

We're originally from Illinois also and moved here for the hubby's health (altitude and dryness helps his condition).

I don't know which part of Illinois you're from, or what you do for a living, but we underwent a big culture shock when we moved. My salary is half what I was making there doing the same job, and hubby took a $10/hr pay cut while he was able to work (he's totally disabled now).

Houses cost what they do in Chicago and suburbs, namely about $150K for a small, decent one. Lots cost $50K and up if you want to build.

It's also hard to grow things here. The soil has little organic material and is salty. It is much easier to grow 'medicine' back home, where soil is fertile and the air has some moisture in it...but it can be done here if you garden, or grow inside.

Lots here have retaining walls around them for the most part, some of these walls are tall already or can be built taller. We were approved to grow based on this and the other plants we are growing in our yard, namely tall, dense stuff like sunflowers, Jerusalem artichokes and corn. No one can see what's in the middle. LOL. Also a big dog is an asset.

If you have a good job already in Illinois, consider moving someplace rural, and private, and staying there. You can work in Chicago, and 40 miles away, have a home in the middle of nowhere and still be close enough to commute. Definitely don't move until you have a job or other income source lined up here. You can't buy 'medicine' if you don't have any money. Schools are bad here also (google it).

The doctors here are VERY reluctant to sign applications, even though they are only verifying that the patient can benefit from the program, not supplying anything. Houses are expensive, and jobs don't pay well. The air is dry and your skin will itch. LOL... We have yet to find good pizza or poorboys, and they put green chili on EVERYTHING, which can be a either a good or a bad thing. One of the good things, you won't have to mow, but if you DO have a lawn, you'll have to water it twice a day, and resod every 3 yrs or so.

Let me know if you'd like to chat further. I will be moving back to Illinois when the hubby passes. Weather-wise, its MUCH nicer here than Illinois. I haven't seen the temp drop to zero yet in the winter, the ground doesn't freeze, and there are only a few days in the summer above 100...not to mention that there is NO humidity in the summer, and few tornados, but I desparately miss the green landscape, the higher pay and cheaper housing.
Ladylunch1 Reviewed by Ladylunch1 on . Husband with MS wants to move to NM My husband has multiple sclerosis and wants to move to a state with medical marijuana. Currently we're in Illinois and if you know anything about our state you know it will be some time before they pass a MM law around here. :rolleyes: Can you give us the low down on how this goes in NM? We understand we have to live there, that's a given. He'll need a doctors recommendation too. Our main question is, how does one go about getting medical marijuana if we keep reading how hard it is to Rating: 5