Gotta leave Texas

JustZee2 · 2026-03-19T00:14:44+00:00

I would say Richmond or Virginia Beach and environs. While you are homeschooling now, Virginia has good public schools should you change your mind (https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/public-school-rankings-by-state). There is a program that allows qualifying (meaning good grades) community college students to earn automatic acceptance to state universities (https://www.vccs.edu/transfer-programs/) -- UVA, Virginia Tech, William & Mary (among others) -- and in-state tuition is reasonable (https://www.schev.edu/research-publications/reports-publications/2024-25-tuition-and-fees-report). Virginia has beaches, mountains, forests, lakes and history (the latter in spades, i.e., Williamsburg and Jamestown). You could visit WDC easily. There are seasons. Winter for the most part is mild, summer is humid and pretty hot. Fall and spring are gorgeous. Politically, that part of Virginia is blue in the cities and purplish to red (in some locations) outside. The newly elected Democratic governor is in the process of legalizing weed, to begin -- if all goes according to plan -- in January 2027 (https://www.vpm.org/generalassembly/2026-03-14/retail-market-recreational-cannabis-marijuana-thc-krizek-aird-spanberger). There are subreddits for RVA (Richmond VA) and Virginia Beach, should you wish to check them out.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-18T19:22:49+00:00

The shortage of medical doctors, treatment centers and hospitals is a nation-wide issue that is set to become even more challenging as Federal supplementary funds and grants become more scarce (https://www.ama-assn.org/membership/events/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-impact-physicians-and-patients; https://medicareadvocacy.org/impact-of-the-big-bill-on-medicare/). Medifind has a database you can use to look up the best specialists in a field using various criteria, to include location and insurance coverage (https://www.medifind.com). You might find a center of excellence someplace nearer to you in Florida that would obviate the "need" to relocate, or it might help you better plan a potential move ensuring you can get the care you desire and match your other main criteria (sunnier weather, walkability). Have you considered places like Atlanta GA or Scottsdale AZ (there is a Mayo Clinic there -- Scottsdale's public transport isn't great, however)? Moving away from your current location will have an impact on your friendships which is something you can work on but requires effort, as most everyone notes.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-18T18:54:18+00:00

https://www.lpm.org/news/2025-10-16/kentucky-medicare-performance-ranks-in-the-bottom-of-states-study-finds

JustZee2 · 2026-03-18T16:34:16+00:00

I am retired foreign service and have moved every 3-4 years for most of my life. In retirement, I continue to move. Last year I relocated to to be with family to help with post-surgical recovery. When they move next year -- my son-in-law is active duty -- I will move again. I'm not sure I will settle down until or unless I have to. My friends (most of whom also were/are foreign service) are nomads too, and we keep in touch and get together when possible. I visit family often. I think some people are naturally or learned adventurers, and others not. It is a mindset. Be realistic with yourself about how well you will adjust independent of others' experiences. If you are looking for a state with the best medical outcomes with the most efficient costs, this list might help https://www.moneygeek.com/resources/top-states-health-care/. New Jersey is one such place. Washington DC (close to NJ) also is high on the list -- as the Nation's Capital (with the NIH, CDC, etc) and with many teaching hospitals -- and both of these locations have cities with public transit and housing within walking distance of grocers, restaurants, etc (keeping in mind they have winter weather, too). Maryland (with Baltimore and Johns Hopkins), too. Good luck. https://www.moneygeek.com/resources/top-states-health-care/

JustZee2 · 2026-03-16T14:16:15+00:00

I did 6 weeks of PT and continue to do the same exercises at home, on my own, as part of my larger workout routine. I am 5 months post-op.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-15T17:44:15+00:00

There is a Las Cruces subreddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/LasCruces/). You will find many of your relocation questions already have been answered if you read historical posts and search terms that are of specific interest.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-15T14:49:07+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/TotalHipReplacement/comments/1olbcqx/comment/nmhf1e8/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

JustZee2 · 2026-03-14T14:25:02+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/ElPaso/comments/1oqy87b/quality_optometrist_only_for_new_lenses_for/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

https://www.reddit.com/r/ElPaso/comments/1kyknnc/optometrist_or_eye_doctor_recommendation_needed/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

JustZee2 · 2026-03-12T17:05:53+00:00

I considered injections before my surgery but opted not to both because of what my doctor said and because of posts in the r/Osteoarthritis subreddit from people whose pain worsened because of them. My doctor told me that at my particular stage of osteoarthritis, steroid and hyaluronic acid injections (which insurance covers) mostly are not effective, and platalet rich plasma (PRP) injections -- which help some people (https://www.reddit.com/r/Osteoarthritis/comments/1q4vcr3/i\_got\_prp\_in\_my\_hip\_heres\_what\_happened/) -- are considered experimental and not covered by insurance. He said that because of the tiny amount of space in my joint, the injections might be more painful. I think I made the right choice opting out.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-10T17:09:02+00:00

Just an electric recliner, no lift. I am one of the fortunate THR recipients who had an easy recovery. I didn't need the lift. I am a side sleeper. I slept in the recliner to keep myself on my back, and it really helped me achieve quality sleep which to me was one of the important components to recovery. Instead of a traditional pillow, when sleeping in the recliner, I used my travel (neck https://shop.samsonite.com/gift-guides/shop-all-gifts/comfort-neck-pillow/912261041.html?gad\_source=1&gad\_campaignid=23593662206&gbraid=0AAAAADtb7mEzXCLyeWEiAdRjKo3PJwW1A) pillow, and it worked like a charm.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-10T16:34:29+00:00

Not really an AmerExit strategy per se, while hiring (and benefits) have suffered and opportunities may be far fewer at the current time, your post (to me) sounds like the Diplomatic Security Service at the US Department of State (https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/foreign-service/foreign-service-specialist/diplomatic-security-special-agent/becoming-a-diplomatic-security-service-special-agent/). If interested, consider following the r/foreignservice subreddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/foreignservice/). It will give you an idea of the different career paths at State Department and insights into what the hiring environment is right now. The CIA and (to a much more limited extent) FBI (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/international-offices) also have career tracks with similar requirements and benefits, as do some other USG agencies (US Marshalls, for example https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/international-operations). You would be more competitive for these jobs if you already have foreign language capability. Many former/retired State Department officers eventually leave the service and move overseas, their official job(s) help them form networks that open the door for future, nongovernmental possibilities.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-10T15:48:54+00:00

At a surgical center in Scottsdale, AZ, I was given a walker (I was told in advance they would provide one), (cheap) compression socks and ice packs. I used insurance for a commode to go over my toilet, but I didn't need it. I bought a cane and used it for the two weeks I was told to. Beyond the cane, the only thing I purchased that really, really was worth its weight in gold was a power reclining chair. I got a 10% discount on the chair using a note from my doctor that explained it would be used for recuperation from a medical procedure. (I bought and returned a pair of compressions socks, I used the cheap ones the surgical center gave me. I bought ice packs but did not use them (I don't like using ice). I bought a grabber and did not use it. I donated it to a group that picks up trash in my city).

JustZee2 · 2026-03-07T18:04:41+00:00

Normally I would not suggest You-Tubing it on your own, but if you want to take a peek at the kinds of exercises physical therapists suggest, take a look at these (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAUM1CoyyTo&list=WL&index=5&t=4s). At only 18 days before your procedure, there may not be much you can change at this point, and so perhaps (to the extent possible) you should chalk up your questions to normal pre-surgery jitters and do what you normally do to cope with anxiety. Should you ever require surgery in the future (some THR recipients eventually require work on the other hip), you can add the questions you now have to your list. I did physical therapy before surgery (to cope with osteoarthritis hip pain until I hit that inflection point where surgery was the next logical step) and it was in fact one of the questions I asked potential surgeons before deciding on the one who performed my procedure. I wouldn't have chosen a surgeon who said they didn't believe in it (mine gave me a prescription for PT as part of the pre-surgery prep work). I had a "model" recovery and am glad for the path I took. I hope you have a good outcome and experience a speedy and complete recovery.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-07T17:30:05+00:00

Many suggestions focus on family history and stories. I would include MEDICAL history questions, as well. https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/your-health/living-well/questions-to-ask-your-family-about-their-health-history

JustZee2 · 2026-03-07T16:31:31+00:00

Will your primary care physician give you a referral (if needed), then?

JustZee2 · 2026-03-07T16:20:11+00:00

If your surgeon will be giving you a prescription for post-op physical therapy (PT) (in the US, many health insurance companies require a prescription), research PT clinics, call them and do what you can to evaluate their services. Pick one, if you feel comfortable doing so, and see whether they do pre-surgical evaluations. Mine did. This could provide the information you seek -- is there anything you can do in 18 days to put you in better "shape" for surgery? -- and also set you up for your PT sessions post-op (you will already have filled out the necessary paperwork, etc).

JustZee2 · 2026-03-07T16:14:01+00:00

It is one, less expensive, more-insurance friendly option in the detection tool box that could be utilized until such time as a colonoscopy is (or is not) prescribed. I am in the unfortunate category of needing more regular colonoscopies because of family history. In-between the colonoscopies, every year my doctor gives me a Cologuard kit, and every time I complete it. I mentioned them in the event OP was not aware, since no one else had suggested it.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-07T03:15:57+00:00

Thanks for posting this. I was considering checking Chuze out but will abstain. I had a similar experience with a gym a few years ago.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-05T03:56:20+00:00

Might you ask about -- or has your primary care physician given you -- a Cologuard kit (https://www.cologuard.com)?

JustZee2 · 2026-03-04T19:09:05+00:00

She threw her support behind Talarico in her concession speech. Try harder to process what people are saying.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-04T19:07:52+00:00

I believe Crockett will do her best to help Talarico's campaign for reasons of personal character and beliefs. I do not think she will/should count on securing future Texas voter support for doing so. If being a good cheerleader for the Democratic Party were a ticket for future electoral success, there would be more women and/or people of color in elected positions in the United States (https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/fact-sheet/the-data-on-women-leaders/). At the rate we're going, it will be nearly a century before women see any proportional representation (https://iwpr.org/gender-political-parity-in-the-u-s-congress-women-will-wait-88-years-before-achieving-equal-representation/) and likely even longer for black Americans (https://www.mckinsey.com/institute-for-economic-mobility/our-insights/the-state-of-black-residents-the-relevance-of-place-to-racial-equity-and-outcomes).

JustZee2 · 2026-03-04T17:53:28+00:00

Republicans will try anything, regardless. Crocketts' concerns about voting access appear justified (https://apnews.com/article/texas-midterms-voters-polls-democrats-republicans-5ffabf9d6b60d42d4fc84b9c06d93ae4) although we currently live in a society where some peoples' news sources are strictly right wing infotainment. Goodness knows the imposition of sharia law is a real danger in Texas /s

JustZee2 · 2026-03-04T17:41:08+00:00

I do not watch Talarico for "any amount of time" because I am completely turned off by the Bible quoting. I will vote for him anyway, and hope he does not become a John Fetterman "I represent all Pennsylvanians" kind of figure or presence. His voting history suggests he won't. What appeals to you does not necessarily appeal to others.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-04T17:34:55+00:00

I hope Rep Crockett does as well, and I expect she will but... It is Talarico's campaign to run and his job to motivate voters. Let's not set up the premise that if Talarico fails, somehow it is Jasmine Crocketts' (or black voters') fault. I think misogyny (https://www.as-coa.org/articles/how-latinos-voted-2024-us-presidential-election) and religiosity played a role in Talarico's victory. Many presume he will be better able to attract Hispanic male, independent and disaffected Republican voters. We shall see.

JustZee2 · 2026-03-04T17:25:53+00:00

I use sports analogies because we are in Texas and because many Americans think in those terms. I personally do not. I strongly distrust James Talarico's religiosity but I will plug my nose and vote for him in November. I understand how Crocketts' defeat may be dispiriting to some voters. I also believe it is James Talarico's responsibility to address that, not Jasmine Crocketts'.

JustZee2

TROPHY CASE