Has anyone moved long distance to make depression/anxiety...

We moved from Portland Oregon to Medford Oregon To get my daughter out of the grayness from October to April. She has SAD. IT is better known as winter syndrome

I've never done this but if I had the opportunity to do that I would.

It wasn't because of depression/anxiety that we moved from the PNW to CA, but when anyone asks why we stay, DH & I always answer "the weather". We have had a few gloomy days this winter, including today, and every time it reinforces what a difference sunny skies make to your outlook.

My parents were never true snowbirds, but always headed to the sun for 3 weeks in Nov & Feb/March. Talking to my dad yesterday, the gloomy weather is really getting him down but he doesn't want to fly anymore so I haven't been able to persuade him to visit.

It seems like half our Canadian friends have been buying second homes in Palm Springs or Phoenix in the last couple of years. Right now they are using them for a few weeks at a time in the winter with the plan to spend up to 6 months when they retire.

It wasn't the reason we moved, but winter is so much more emotionally bearable in Dallas vs Chicago. End in sight, no pressure to go places when it ices/snows for the majority of professions, beautiful days sprinkled throughout the winter to keep your hopes up.

I think there is a big risk of disappointment if that is the only reason you move, but if you end up closer to family, can find good jobs, enjoy the scenery and shopping/cultural options, and otherwise are happy about the move, it is great. There is a flip side, you may want to visit in summer before making any decisions, especially AZ. Dallas isn't much worse than Chicago was on average in the summwr and when factoring humidity.

Moves aren't permanent decisions. They are expensive and disruptive, so you should be 90% sure, but you can undo it in most cases if you really regret your decision.

We have a loose three year plan to move from Michigan to California, depending on several factors.
We are just in the very beginning stages of considering this, gathering information, etc.
The weather is the #1 reason, though mostly for physical reasons that lead to some pretty depressing days. Moving snow around is just getting to be too much, and being 'locked in' all winter long, tied to a wood boiler system for heating the home, etc. leads to a bleak attitude.

Funny, I did the exact opposite. Grew up in Los Angeles and spent most of my adult life living in the south. We moved to Nebraska 10 years ago and I love the seasons. We don't get a ton of snow in Omaha, but it gets cold and we have the brutal winds. It also gets HOT here in the summer. I never appreciated the change of seasons like I do here.

I admit I get a little cagey by the end of March when winter drags on. But I can't ever imagine leaving Michigan and the seasons.

I have  a sister that is bi-polar. She moved from Washington to Arizona and she is doing so much better. It's a combination of the weather, activities, moving away from a not understanding family and her medical care. Mostly it's the lifestyle change that is helping her - the weather/activities and being away from the family.

There is a place called Find Your Spot that gives you a questionaire to find the best place for you. My spot is Edenton, NC. 1" of snow per year! They will email you a list of your top 24 spots. I don't know how accurate it is, but it's fun to see what they come up with.

We are also in SW Pa. I have been here for my entire life and so has my husband.  The last few years the winters really depress him.  He really wants to move.  This past year or so it has gotten to me a bit.  My whole family is here though and I struggle meeting people.  he would leave in a heartbeat. (his family all moved a long time ago).

My MIL/S-FIL visited some friends who were in Phoenix one November. They bought a house that weekend. Which is very weird for them, but they both noted they felt better just being there.

I grew up in a very sunny place. Blue skies 333 days a year! And I moved to 55 days a year. Did you hear my soul being sucked just reading that?? It was a very difficult transition. We did no sun for 11 years. I needed a break every winter. Had to go get some sun!!!

We moved from south Texas to northern PA and I have to mentally fight my way through the winter.

I have my sunlight night and vitamin D supplements!

For people wanting to move to CA. You need to know it's REALLY expensive to live here. Like over the top expensive! If you want to buy a home, plan to spend no less than $400k and get a fixer upper in the middle of nowhere. Seriously.

Granted the weather is awesome almost all year if you live in the Bay Area. You also pay dearly for that place. Most are over $900k and are still fixer uppers. I moved form the Bay Area when my DH and I met and will never be able to afford to go back. I'm in the Sierra foothills and it's hotter than hell in the summer (110 is not uncommon for several days at a stretch) and chilly but no snow in the winter. The only place I would ever consider leaving CA for is costal Oregon, I think the weather there is similar to Monterey where I went to college for 4 years.