Seattle/PNW: Bad place for someone with mold allergy? (Spokane: real estate, apartment)

[Lar_P]

Hi (first post), I currently live near Chicago and I'm looking to get out. I'd like to go west. I have a *serious* allergy to a few kinds of mold (like the black mold that often grows in basements and sometimes in building ventilation systems). I'm wondering if I should just write off the entire PNW because of this- considering the rain & humidity. BTW, I've been to the PNW several times and really like it. So is mold growth in buildings a big problem there? (I've never had a problem outdoors.) I'm actually more concerned with buildings I might work in than in a place I'd live (where I'd have more control). I've had to leave a couple of jobs here because of buildings with water leaks/moldy conditions. Because of this issue I'm also looking into the southwest, like Arizona, etc. Thanks! Lar

[nwexplor]

Take a look at inland Washington--that's the part over the Cascade mountains--it's a desert. Tri-Cities, Moses Lake, Walla Walla all offer a better quality of life than the Southwest US right now.

I've become kind of a Spokane booster on this board, but the economy is not too bad yet, reasonable cost of living, less mold issues and good scenery and outdoor living.

The Southwest U.S. has heavy-duty social and economic problems and a lot more crime. Strongly suggest against.

[blubrd]

I live in Az and we had mold issues in our home this year. Also some of our close friends had to move out of the home they were in b/c mold took over. So mold can be anywhere even in dry climates. I also wouldn't move to Az, if you are looking into Phoenix it is really HOT 7 mo out of the year, even at night. It is also real boring. Not alot to do outside even when the weather is nice. Just my 2 cents!

[Molly 56]

I always suffered from mold allergies and just decided that I was going to suffer anyway, so I came on up here, knowing it was very rainy and mold would probably be a problem. Surprisingly it hasn't that much. There's probably as much mold as central Texas but the coolness keeps the growth down (heat encourages growth) and truthfully I don't notice the humidity. Not scientific, just that things seem to dry out faster, even on rainy days, than in a hot climate with some rain. You would expect mildew to be a problem, but it doesn't hold a candle here to Houston. I used to have to buy new shower liners several times a year due to the mildew overwhelming old reliable cleaners like Tilex spray and here I've barely noticed that much of a need for it. The age and construction of your home will be important, but maybe you can find a new concrete/steel condo type living space...

I just realized you were more concerned about work. I would think that a fairly new building would not be too bad, and stay out of the basement!

[texastrigirl]

I suffered from mold in Austin TX and do not suffer at all in Seattle. Go figure but the reasons above make sense. Seattle is not rated very highly for allergies according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation. 88th out of 100 for Spring Allergies and 100 out of 100 for Fall Allergies out of 100 major metro areas. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Information About Asthma, Allergies, Food Allergies and More!

[jenlion]

I'll add more anecdotal - my allergies are better here than in TX. I see less mold here than in Dallas.

Also second the suggestion that you not move someplace you think will have less mold. Most likely mold you'll run into is indoors, making weather pretty much moot. The construction of the house is a bigger issue. One water leak anywhere in the country and you've got mold. In fact, you might do better here because it IS colder, meaning you have to use your heat more often, meaning you're drying your indoor air 7 or 8 months of the year!!!

[Lar_P]

Thanks everybody for the input, you've brought up some things to consider that I hadn't thought about. Maybe (as has been said) the "region" isn't as important as the specific places you live/work/frequent. I know that here in Chicago some buildings I'm fine in, in others after 15 minutes I'm making sure my Epipen is close by. I hope I get some more input! Maybe from real estate people/builders or something, even doctors....

[VeronikaW]

We seemed to have more mold issues in our San Diego apartment than we do here in WA. Also, my husband has terrible allergies, and they've been better in WA than in San Diego or San Francisco.

V. =)