Vancouver climate (asthma) questions (Seattle: buying a home, buying, schools)

[imzadi143]

May be relocating to Vancouver due to hubby's job; a plastics (blown film) plant closing and that is the only one available (in Vancouver).
I am asthmatic. In humid air and high pollen areas (like where I lived in Illinois) I do have problems. Not the usual spring flowers blooming but heavy pollen counts like farm country etc).
I hear the usual "it rains a lot in Washington" so I am worried about humidity levels. I am hoping pollen levels are not an issue. Some have told me it is not humid air. That the area's air is like in the mountains but it just rains more.
I grew up in California never had breathing problems until I got to Illinois in the mid 1980s. Moved to Nevada in 2002 and have had no problems at all and even am off asthma meds. So, as long as I am not in a very humid/high pollen area I am ok.
Can some of you tell me what you think? anyone been in my situation and if so how is your breathing?

[cdelena]

You will find relatively low pollen and humidity in Vancouver. Look at Pollen.com - Your Local Pollen Reports and Allergy Forecasts including the only 4 Day Allergy Alert Forecast. If you suffer from allergies, get the 4 Day Allergy Forecast. for a reference regarding pollen. The weather service will show you dew points (a better guide than relative humidity) and you will find much of the time it can be just as comfortable as California.

[imzadi143]

thanks so much...I am feeling a bit relieved. This is really scary for me.
Will check out the link.
Imzadi

[41Willys]

Believe it or not Portland Oregon is the #1 spot in the country for asthma sufferers. So Im guessing it's the same in Seattle. If your in between them I would think your golden!!

[Twinkletoes]

41Willys, do you mean that Portland is the best place or worst place for people who have asthma? When you say it's #1 does that mean that more asthma sufferers live there than anywhere else, or it's the best place to go if you have asthma?

I am looking for a place to live where I can get some relief from my allergies/asthma as well and have been considering Portland/Vancouver.

[41Willys]

Sorry, it's the "BEST" place to live if you suffer from asthma. I know it's hard to believe with all the moist air. You would think it's full of mold.

I was there 2 year's ago in the summer. (June) I was going for a hike in the wood's and "everything" was full of moss & mold, the tree's, the tree bark, branches and such. But you couldn't smell it!! There was NO smell, totally neutral. I was there for a week and did notice a difference in breathing. I have asthma also.

[danco]

I'm new to the area and something was blooming
in June that had me flooding my eyes with drops.
It lasted only for a couple of weeks and thats
been it. I resisted the antihistamines in hope
of letting my body get used to it and adjusting naturally.
I believe the rain helps to keep the various spores out of the air.

[JayHomes]

Hello,

I have lived in Vancouver ever since I can remember. My own grandfather is moving to Washington from Colorado, because his doctor told him he needed to get to sea level for his breathing problems. He is now looking to move to Vancouver shortly. I know of a few people that have a little trouble with pollen but it is minimal. Moderator cut: soliciting deleted There are many factors to consider when buying a home like schools, traffic and overall areas. I wish you all the best in search. Take care and have a great day.

Moderator cut: links and solicitations deleted

[borregokid]

If you do move to Vancouver expect your asthma to probably be about the same. It will probably improve for the first couple of years, most asthma sufferers improve for a while when moving to a new climate.
The pollen levels drop down to extremely low levels by the end of October and stay their until March. My guess is that you wont have problems until late May when grasses and weeds finally start too bloom. Look for problems breathing until about mid-July when things dry up. After that you might be OK until September when it starts too rain again. Most Asthma sufferers have trouble in the fall. Finally when things get cold thing will return to normal. Dust mites are a problem in the NW and if you are allergic to dust mites and molds you will need to put a couple of de-humidifiers in your house. Not really a big deal. Allergy shots are more effective than many people realize if you are really suffering.

[imzadi143]

Thanks. I am not worried abt normal pollens in flowers/grasses etc. I do not have allergies. Only affected by a huge count like from corn cultivation in farm country where the skies are full of stuff kicked up by combines.