Allergy "seasons" moving from IL to TX (Austin: appointed, allergies)

[decidingwheretolive]

I am thinking of moving to the Austin area and the only thing I am worried about after much research is the allergies I keep reading about. I currently live in northern IL and do have seasonal allergies, Spring and Fall. Mainly due to pollen and mold I believe. So, my question is, will I be miserable year round or is there a bad time of year. How long does this Cedar Fever last? I do plan to visit of course, since I have never been there, but I don't know how I would know without being there for a year first to really see. Is it really that bad, or do you think it might be comparable to what I already deal with here in the midwest?

I realize allergies are individual and it's hard to tell, but just wondered if maybe others have moved from the midwest and if they found it to be better or worse for allergies. Thanks.

[xcountrymover]

We moved from Ohio 18 months ago. I suffered from ragweed up there. Last winter the cedar really hit me hard. Of course, I was also sitting on the deck at the Oasis in January, which is surrounded by trees. The next day I had a big allergy attack.

The great thing about it here is that they KNOW the allergies are bad. KVUE measures certain allergens on a daily basis and posts it on their website. Right now they're monitoring mold and cedar. This winter, I've done some natural preventatives, and when the cedar levels are high, I don't hang out outside. So far, so good.

Some friends have good results with getting an annual allergy shot.

Good luck to you!

[centralaustinite]

You can have allergies all year! Particularly if you are allergic to mold. Mold counts can be high all 12 months (although we are in a severe drought right now and have amazingly dry air). Cedar season is November to March, generally peaks in January and early February. Tree pollen is produced in both spring and fall.

My spouse takes OTC allergy meds every day all year! I take them in the fall (fall elm bothers me) but I am not affected by cedar (for which I am very grateful).

One benefit to cold winter weather is that it reduces if not eliminate allergens. That is not the case here.

We do have first class allergy docs though

[veggiegirl26]

I grew up in central Indiana and had occasional allergies but it wasn't an issue for me. My husband, on the other hand, had awful allergies there. He lived there for seven years and was on allergy meds daily (and was still sneezing and sniffling). We moved to Austin in 2002. He rarely takes allergy meds here...perhaps three days a year. Me? The cedar started to get me a few years ago and is now bad enough that I am determined to start allergy shots before next winter. This year was my breaking point. It was absolutely terrible and I was miserable for most of January. You never know what it will be like for you. Austin allergies are different for different people, even if you've had allergies somewhere else. I agree that the docs here know what it means when people are SUFFERING from allergies. They are quick to work with you to get you feeling better soon!

[CaseyRyan]

I came from Kansas last August and was looking forward to winter -- boy was I disappointed weather-wise....Anyway, I've had allergy trouble ever since I got here...Cedar Fever is currently kicking my butt BIG TIME! I wish you luck!

[Mudd]

I love living in central Texas, but I'll say that it is the single worst place I've ever been from an allergy stand point. It never stops, when one allergen fades down a bit, something else seems to kick up. It's never ending. It's a great area, but absolute hell on people with allergies.

[CATXTransplant]

I had the worst allergies until I started going to Four Points Family Chiropractic. I know most people don't associate allergies with a chiropractor, but Dr. Ross' practice focuses on whole body health. He has helped So many of my friends as well as my freinds. www.FourPointsFamilyChiropractic.com

[travellady]

Almost everyone who lives in Central Texas suffers from the cedar and ragweed pollen. You are right that it's an individual thing; but again...everyone I know suffers, in varying degrees of course.

Cedar "season" begins in December and runs through February; but I suffer year-round, possibly due to additional molds, etc.

If you do decide to move here, good luck! Maybe you won't be allergic to Austin after all!

Originally Posted by decidingwheretolive

I am thinking of moving to the Austin area and the only thing I am worried about after much research is the allergies I keep reading about. I currently live in northern IL and do have seasonal allergies, Spring and Fall. Mainly due to pollen and mold I believe. So, my question is, will I be miserable year round or is there a bad time of year. How long does this Cedar Fever last? I do plan to visit of course, since I have never been there, but I don't know how I would know without being there for a year first to really see. Is it really that bad, or do you think it might be comparable to what I already deal with here in the midwest?

I realize allergies are individual and it's hard to tell, but just wondered if maybe others have moved from the midwest and if they found it to be better or worse for allergies. Thanks.