Asthma/Allergies (Phoenix, Prescott: to rent, houses, to buy)

[Malvie]

I live in Arkansas and suffer from severe allergies and worsening asthma. I'm an active individual, and these respiratory ailments are putting a crimp in my lifestyle, to say the least.

I've always heard that moving to the desert will help. Leaf mold is one of my big triggers, and we have enough leaves here to sink the Titanic. I wonder if moving there would alleviate?

Anyone have any experience with relieving allergies and asthma by moving to Arizona?

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by Malvie

I live in Arkansas and suffer from severe allergies and worsening asthma. I'm an active individual, and these respiratory ailments are putting a crimp in my lifestyle, to say the least.

I've always heard that moving to the desert will help. Leaf mold is one of my big triggers, and we have enough leaves here to sink the Titanic. I wonder if moving there would alleviate?

Anyone have any experience with relieving allergies and asthma by moving to Arizona?

No! my husband is dying here, plus we have ozone alerts on a daily basis, I'm not sure will that bother you also?

[Malvie]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

No! my husband is dying here, plus we have ozone alerts on a daily basis, I'm not sure will that bother you also?

Indeed it would. Rats. You're the second person to tell me the same thing.

I'm going to have to do a lot of internet research, but I'm tired of living with an inhaler in one hand and pills in the other and restricted activities (I love hiking, biking, etc., but have had to discontinue).

Surely there's someplace in the US where I would suffer a bit less.

Oh, and someplace where I could also get a decent job AND would not have to put up with 6 months of winter.... Heat is no issue for me; cold is (not from the asthma standpoint, from the preference standpoint)

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by Malvie

Indeed it would. Rats. You're the second person to tell me the same thing.

I'm going to have to do a lot of internet research, but I'm tired of living with an inhaler in one hand and pills in the other and restricted activities (I love hiking, biking, etc., but have had to discontinue).

Surely there's someplace in the US where I would suffer a bit less.

Oh, and someplace where I could also get a decent job AND would not have to put up with 6 months of winter.... Heat is no issue for me; cold is (not from the asthma standpoint, from the preference standpoint)

That's horrible! I'm sorry to hear that. It must be miserable for you. Does your doctor have any suggestions?

I don't mind heat either but the cold brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr not for me.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

No! my husband is dying here, plus we have ozone alerts on a daily basis, I'm not sure will that bother you also?

Phoenix was rated as meeting the EPA ozone standards in mid-2005. There had not been a violation of the 1-hour standard in 8 years. The recent alerts are for violations of the new 8-hour standard. Phx has until 2007 to come up with a plan to meet the new standard.

I have allergies bad now - never used to. Ozone days don't seem to bother me. It's worst in March when things are in bloom and in dust storms in summer. I went to OK/AR/MO this year and it was even worse than it is here. It's certainly an annoyance and asthma is quite another thing. I don't know where one can go. I think once you get allergies, the only place you can escape it is in Antarctica. Certainly Phoenix, with all the non-native plants, is no longer a refuge.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Phoenix was rated as meeting the EPA ozone standards in mid-2005. There had not been a violation of the 1-hour standard in 8 years. The recent alerts are for violations of the new 8-hour standard. Phx has until 2007 to come up with a plan to meet the new standard.

I have allergies bad now - never used to. Ozone days don't seem to bother me. It's worst in March when things are in bloom and in dust storms in summer. I went to OK/AR/MO this year and it was even worse than it is here. It's certainly an annoyance and asthma is quite another thing. I don't know where one can go. I think once you get allergies, the only place you can escape it is in Antarctica. Certainly Phoenix, with all the non-native plants, is no longer a refuge.

That's what I used to hear years ago, everyone was bringing non-native plants and they were saying this was going to happen.

[dgoboy204]

Hey Malvie,

I must admit that I know little about Arkansas' weather, but I can relate to severe mold and allergies of all kinds that disrupt life. I generally live in southern Colorado (Durango - snow=mold), but spent much of last winter in Farmington, New Mexico, which is much more "deserty". Yes, as in Durango, I'm still allergic to lots of plants, etc in Farmington, but being mostly free of mold problems helped me greatly. Overall, I definately do think that there is something to be said for warmer/drier climates for those in our situations, but each of us is different, yano.

I'm still looking for new places myself, but maybe I can save you some time in your search. Farmington is warmer and drier ... great outdoor activities -- Durango, a hiking/biking mecca, is only an hour away. What are your job and family needs? Farmington is growing, and the cost of living seems to be generally lower, but I've had trouble finding houses to rent (numerous to purchase, though).

Grand Junction, Colorado, like Farmington, has been listed by the American Lung Assoc. as a city with air among the cleanest in the nation in recent years. GJ is also great for outdoors (check out a suburb called Fruita, especially for biking), the weather seems like Farmington and the cost of living isn't too high (at least compared to DGO). Yeah, I know GJ is in Colorado, but friends there swear that they had not even one snow flake last year -- suprisingly mild climate.

I've also been looking at St. George, Utah -- the warmest of the places I've researched. Growing fast and generally more expensive, but still worth a look -- biking and hiking might be really good. If you like cities, look into Albuquerque, NM. Listed as one of the lowest pollution cities in US, lots of job growth and housing, low cost of living, and growing health-consciousness -- first city in US to purchase hybrid busses, for example. Check out Rio Rancho, a auburb of ABQ. Silver City, NM seems like a cool, laid-back smaller town with a good feel, too. Finally, I have talked with some allergy specialist doctors in Prescott, AZ, so maybe there is something to be considered there -- I, like you, would love to find more ideas on AZ.

Malvie, all of this being said, I would like to share some sites that have helped me regain a sense of hope about getting over my allergies in the near future: www.NAET.com, www.TAT-INTL.com, www.emofree.com, www.quantumtechniques.com.

I have worked with and talked with doctors listed on these sites who can do things for allergies that I simply never new about before. I REALLY suggest your check these out and call some of the doctors listed on the sites. The ones I have talked to have been helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and offer ideas about where to live. I would recommend calling the office of Dr. Marilyn Chernoff in Albuquerque -- very cool people and have great history of dealing with problems like ours successfully (you can find her ph# on the NAET site).

Malvie, I wish you the best and would greatly appreciate you posting anything you find helpful, too. Thanks!

[azgirlnd]

Actually I had really bad allergies and asthma prior to living in Arizona. I have lived in North Dakota and Minnesota and the minute I moved here I no longer need any medication at all. In fact I no longer have to buy Kleenex in bulk at Costco!! Sometimes during a dust storm I will get a little stuffy. Plus there is air pollution here but I have not had any problems. Most of the summer when it is over 100 I am indoors with the A/C.

[ev314]

Hi Malvie;
I can sympathize. I have really bad allergies too. Moved out to Phoenix from NY 5 years ago. Our first week here, I met a woman in the supermarket who told me this is the place to move to if you WANT allergies. I wrote her off as some kind of nut. But I have since learned she was right. I have to say, I still suffer, but not as bad as I did in the humid climate. And now my husband and daughter have developed allergies too, but not bad enough to warrant medication (yet). I have found that acupuncture has helped alot. But I believe I'm still better off in the drier climate, even with all the non-native plants. Good luck to you!

[Azrider]

Originally Posted by azgirlnd

Actually I had really bad allergies and asthma prior to living in Arizona. I have lived in North Dakota and Minnesota and the minute I moved here I no longer need any medication at all. In fact I no longer have to buy Kleenex in bulk at Costco!! Sometimes during a dust storm I will get a little stuffy. Plus there is air pollution here but I have not had any problems. Most of the summer when it is over 100 I am indoors with the A/C.

Same here. I have mild allergies occasionally, but nothing at all like I used to have back in Ohio.