Colorado isn't for everyone (Boulder: house, allergies, living in)

[seethelight]

In reading the Colorado posts I have to laugh because that is where I was just five years ago. Colorado, in my case Boulder, seemed perfect on paper. Liberal, beautiful, lower cost of living than my former residence in Massachusetts, lots of outdooor activities, biking, which I am very fond of, etc. etc.

Well five years later I am ready to move back East. Prior to moving to Colorado I was biking two hours a day, very fit and basically never sick.

I moved to Boulder four years ago. The first six months here, I was hospitalized with pneumonia twice, had bronchitis twice and whooping cough that lasted two months. I have since developed asthma, and high blood pressure, never having either before, and have basically been plagued with respiratory problems the entire time I have lived here.

I haven't been able to bike or enjoy most of the outdoors because I am either sick or recovering from being sick.

In my case I am alergic to dust, and Colorado is REALLY dusty. I can dust my house and just a few days later the furniture is covered in a fine layer of dust. I installed a whole house HEPA fiilter a few years ago but it hasn't helped too much.

I am not a young person and perhaps that is the key. If you are healthy and young I doubt if you would have the same issues that I have, but you have to keep in mind that Colorado is not for everyone. The climate here is very arid and the summers to me are brutal. I would rather have the winters in New England than the summers here. And I am not a winter person.

Prior to moving here I visited many times but never developed any of the symptoms that I have now.

Colorado is a wonderful place, but not for everyone.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by seethelight

The climate here is very arid and the summers to me are brutal. I would rather have the winters in New England than the summers here. And I am not a winter person.

Prior to moving here I visited many times but never developed any of the symptoms that I have now.

Colorado is a wonderful place, but not for everyone.

Yes, the extremes--and the aridity--can get to a person. We had a friend who moved to Colorado as a young adult who was fine for many years, but later in life she developed constant bronchial as well as sinus trouble and eventually moved to Washington state, where there is a bit more humidity.
My husband never had allergies in his life until he moved to Colorado, once we moved away, he's been fine ever since--but now I get allergies every January/February when the pine trees pollinate.
There is no perfect place.

[seethelight]

Originally Posted by bluewillowplate

yes, the extremes--and the aridity--can get to a person. We had a friend who moved to colorado as a young adult who was fine for many years, but later in life she developed constant bronchial as well as sinus trouble and eventually moved to washington state, where there is a bit more humidity.
My husband never had allergies in his life until he moved to colorado, once we moved away, he's been fine ever since--but now i get allergies every january/february when the pine trees pollinate.
There is no perfect place.

amen

[djohnmd]

Living in Boulder will make any person sick!

[lalahartma]

Usually, when people say they are allergic to dust, they actually mean they are allergic to dust mites! Dust mites need @ 70% humidity to live and reproduce. I'm wondering if you were reacting to pollen, instead?

Dust Mites

It is however very dusty on the front range and can aggravate asthma!

[ryanek9freak]

I know what you're going through. When I first moved here, I developed some sort of allergy, and I swear, I couldn't see for 6 months, until I adjusted. I'd visited many times before, for weeks at a time and never had those issues.

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by seethelight

In my case I am alergic to dust, and Colorado is REALLY dusty. I can dust my house and just a few days later the furniture is covered in a fine layer of dust. I installed a whole house HEPA fiilter a few years ago but it hasn't helped too much.
Colorado is a wonderful place, but not for everyone.

Sorry to hear of your health issues! That really stinks.
I did not have allergy problems until I moved to CO but since I moved to the mountains I don't suffer from them. I had to chuckle at your dust comment. I can dust my furniture in the morning and by afternoon I can see the dust! Yes, Colorado is dusty! I've learned to live with it. But then, I am not allergic so I can.

[brightdoglover]

Dusty house? Gee, I'm ahead of the curve. I live in eastern Mass., and my house is always dusty. And dog hairy. I could live in Colorado and not notice!
The guy who built my house suggested I hire Brazilians to come in and clean. That's the local immigrant group right now who start small cleaning businesses. I don't mow my lawn. I'd love to have a personal chef. Jeez, I've got to do *something* myself.

[formercalifornian]

Viruses thrive in low humidity, so upper respiratory infections like those you describe are very common in arid places like Colorado. Sorry to hear you're suffering.

[chilaili]

As I've always been a thorough slob and rarely dusted or vacuumed wherever I lived, the increase in dryness and dust hasn't affected me at all. That's the trick - start out disgusting and you won't suffer . I actually improved when I moved here and the persistent and agonising sinus problems I had in Minnesota have left me entirely. The only allergy I have is to flouride!

Sorry to read of all your trials though - I hope things clear up for you when you move and better luck in your new location.