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We currently live around Knoxville, TN. Elevation of 983 feet. Unbearable humidity. I have COPD (pretty ironic for a nonsmoker, wouldn't you say?) and humidity is my BIGGEST problem. This is my first summer coming up since diagnosis and I dread it. I fully expect to be gardening by moonlight as I just can't BREATHE when it's humid.
We've looked west and worried about lack of water, we've looked north and worried about, well, not much really but my husband is rather resistant to going north. What i'd really love is a real winter with snow, but one that won't bury us, enough water for us, the horses and a garden without invoking an act of congress to get it.
We ride occasionally in the Pisgah National Forest around Harmon's Den in NC. I've noticed it can be hotter n' Hades where we park but as we ride the trails (elevation tops out at 2900-3200 ft) I discover it's much easier to breathe.
Would ANYWHERE in West Virginia fit the bill?
I figure if I can't go far enough north, I go far enough up.
It usually depends on where you're at in West Virginia. Where I live (Charleston-Huntington area), the climate's not too much different from Knoxville. We have a lot of humidity here in the summer and it can get very hot. Temperatures this past summer got up into the hundreds a few times. We usually just have a little more snow compared to east Tennessee in the winter. When there is snow on the ground, it melts the next day. However though, when you go to the higher elevations, of course, the temperature drops, and there's plenty of places in West Virginia that's in the higher elevations. In my opinion, I think the best place for y'all would be Bluefield or Princeton in Mercer County. The city of Bluefield is 2,611 FT. above sea level and Princeton is at 2,460 feet. Summers there aren't too bad, it can get hot with lots of humidity every once in a while, not too often though (temps usually in the 80's). Winter there is usually mild, and they usually get the same amount of snow as here, but sometimes they get a little more of it (temps usually in the 40's). Also, if you ever need to get back to Tennessee or North Carolina, it's not very far at all. It's usually only a hour and a half to Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, TN and an hour and a half to northern NC down Interstate 77.
In the east-central part of the state (Potomac Highlands), look into any place along Rte 219, from Lewisburg north through Marlinton, Elkins, and Davis.
The higher elevations generally seem more comfortable. The temps are lower and the winds are brisk so even if the RH (relative humidity) is higher, it doesn't seem as bad. I know I enjoy camping in the Elkins / Blackwater area more so than at say Bluestone. One summer we had to leave Bluestone because it was so hot, humid and miserable that we couldn't sleep at night. we headed to Blackwater and it was clear, brisk and enjoyable.
Here's some interesting average climatology data that may be of some interest:
Average relative humidity in Elkins Wv for July- A.M.= 82% / P.M.= 55%
Average relative humiduty in Beckley WV for July- A.M. = 89% / P.M.= 61%
Average relative humidity in Charleston WV for July- A.M. 90% / P.M.= 56%
Average rh in Knoxville KY in July - A.M. 85% / P.M. = 54%
So on average, the RH in Knoxville, according this, is lower than even Elkins WV.
Hmm- I'm not buying that.. I'll bet NOAA.GOV has better data..
Ditto the Rt. 219 advice. I live a quarter mile off of 219 near Snowshoe Mountain Resort. You don't need air conditioning, that's for sure. Everyone around here has an outdoor fire pit. You need it in the summer for sitting outside in the evenings. Many very secluded places to live, and about 1/2 hour drive to a bigger grocery store than the local market, but you quickly get used to it. Also, we have the benefit of a year 'round resort just a couple of miles away, and of course the amenities that go along with it. Great flyfishing year 'round. Skiing, hiking, nearly a million acres of National Forest adjoining us, one of the top 100 public golf courses in the country, but a population of only about 10,000 people in a 1000 square mile county. Come see us!!!
Well, 3R, you could commute from Elkins to Clarksburg, it's just the 1.5 hr drive each way would probably get pretty old, real quick.
Are you serious? it takes you 1.5 hr to get to Clarksburg from Elkins. I could leave my house in Elkins and be in Morgantown in an hour an half. I took some two lane road that goes through Grafton. I can't remember the route number. I know when I take 79 to Clarksburg it only takes me about 50 minutes to get there. I mean, I don't let grass grow under my car, but I'm not going 120 either.
By the way, I know several people who do the drive to the FBI center in Clarksburg from Elkins. They carpool, so its not bad. My dad works in Fairmont actually, he has an apartment there, so he can stay when he wants. But sometimes he too carpools with friends who also work in Fairmont.
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as I just can't BREATHE when it's humid. 
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