Aa
Best city to live
Sorry if this has been asked before but what's everyone's opinion on the best place to live for fibromyalgia. The cold and damp make me hurt so I'm thinking a desert location. Anyone have an opinion on San Diego or Tuscon? thanks!
Hi oakiegirl,
I live in Southeast Arizona. My husband and I moved out here in 1999 from Michigan (my home state and Canada his). I have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue syndrome and Rheumatoid arthritis. I do know ALL about Tombstone and Sierra Vista.
I live just Northeast of both those towns. Sierra Vista is #1. expensive! #2. has colder winters in that area and gets light dustings of snow and gets ICE! yes ice; anytime in the months of Jan. Feb. Mar. The cold weather starts in late November and we have been in Sierra Vista during the month of December before and experienced it snowing! Sierra Vista can get anywhere from 1" to 4" of snow, and if you know about driving on snow, then you know that 1" of is far more dangerous to drive on than 1 foot!!! Where I live we don't have pinion trees or pine trees, those are up on Mt. Graham which is just fine with us. Also Sierra Vista can get up to 4" of ice which does not melt in an hour or two! We inquired about it when we noticed that A LOT of people who live there have 4 wheel drive vehicles!!!
Tombstone is a dusty dry tiny tourist town! It's an official town and all the shops close their doors between 5pm and 6pm except the local bars. It's full of ghost stories and legends. but that is about all Tombstone has to offer, there are no near by grocery stores or Wal-Mart, Home depot or Lowes. There aren't any major grocery stores in Tombstone either and
there is no hospital or clinic. Get sick or need a doctor or have an emergency and you'll be going to Tucson or Safford. The same applies to Sierra Vista although Sierra Vista does have a Wal-Mart, HD and Lowes it does Not have and official hospital, it only has a clinic, again you would have to go to Safford or Tucson.
Whenever anyone needs an ambulance in any of those area out there it's always a toss-up for the drivers as to which city to take the patient because both towns are just about the same distance by ambulance to Tucson or Safford.. The only exceptions are in the cases of Heart attack or burns, then you will go to Tucson or in the case of a very serious snake bite you'll end up in Phoenix.
Safford is our closest town and it has like I said an official hospital and a brand new Cancer facility because Safford is growing (just not super fast) and we are glad about that! In this area where I live the weather is actually pretty perfect. They call this area where I live " The Best Kept Secret in the Arizona" and here's why; because it's got the best weather all year long.
In this area the desert has an average temperature of 99'F in mid summer which by the way drops when a monsoon arrives to a comfortable temp of 75'F to 80'F. and it will take a week for that temp to get back up to 99'F Our humidity here is very low usually between 10% 25% very little flux. your certainly not going to get a head ach from it.
From research I've done and from 16 years of experience from living in this area the reason the weather is so good is because this area is nestled in a big valley surrounds by 7 mountain ranges which keeps this Gila valley cooler than Any other desert. Bonus! NO smog, NO acid rain and NO tornadoes!!! Gila is pronounced "He La" well that is how we were told to pronounce it. LOL
If you want snow you have it up on the mountains during winter, if you miss grass on your feet you'll find that up on the mountain and at Roper Lake State Park, located just 5 miles south of Safford and yes! a lake in the desert! 300 acres of lake, with camping, fishing, swimming + a natural spring fed hot tub and boating all year long. Roper Lake will never close!
As for Phoenix, summer temps are HOT ALL summer long with their temps being above 100+ everyday and it isn't uncommon for Phoenix to see temps lasts for a week near the 120'F!!! that's every summer. they also get some of the worst dust storms that turn day into night!. Micro burst that rip trees out, all the signs of a tornado to me!, but people call it a micro burst! All of the desert will have the occasional dust storms and in our area they are short lived and rain drops may follow, but there is NO flooding in the Safford area at least not that I've ever seen in the past 16 years. Oh the washes Might get 4 or 5 inches of water certainly no more if that! Once the monsoon rain ends here those tiny washes are dried up within an hour or so.
If we ever move it will be to Tucson just because my specialist are there. Not only do I have Fibro since 1993 and Rheumatoid ( hereditary) since 2000, but I also have degenerative disk disease and a lung disease due smoking in the past when I was much, much younger and also because we are in our 60's and 70's
Tucson is Not a rat race. Tucson has several malls for shopping and lots of places to eat out. The city itself is laid back (relaxed) and easy to get around.
Phoenix is very LARGE and Not easy to get around, mainly because of so much traffic! and it will take a long time to get from one end to the other or to wherever your going. For us Phoenix is a rat race, long rush hours and certainly not relaxed! But Phoenix has it all as far as sports, movie stars and big events, just great for someone who's NOT in Any pain:)
Northern Arizona is beautiful BUT! remember what I said about the pine trees and pinion trees? WELL there are tons of them up North. Flag Staff gets an average of 2 to 4 feet of snow ALL winter long and has in fact a world famous ski resort up there. The Grand Canyon is a must see.
The best way to see it is in the middle of summer other wise you will be driving for an hour and a half from Flag Staff to and from on dangerous and icy roads. Going up into the Blue Ridge wilderness during summer is a fantastic get away for camping etc. Some of the lakes up there, like Big Lake is really beautiful to camp at during summer. However you have to keep in mind of those dang pine trees because... where there are pine trees there can and sometimes are serious forest fires!
That was a major draw back for us when we first moved out here. We went up there and toured the entire East and Northeast of Arizona for a year!and while doing so it occurred to us as beautiful as it is, it gets a lot of SNOW! Granted some area only get a few inches but it's cold up there!
As you know snow=pain, thunder storms=pain all because UP there you have the barometric pressure=pain.
We feel blessed to have found this area of Arizona. Fibro-wise where we live today because this area right here is the best kept secret in Arizona and I have NOT had a flare up in over14 years now! However if you have fibro you probably have chronic fatigue syndrome, they usually go hand in hand. chronic fatigue syndrome makes you feel weak and no energy and sometimes presents with flu like symptoms. Sometimes you may feel so weak you feel like if you don't lay down, you'll faint!
I say move to where the weather has low humidity because the humid temps cause that flux in pressure and your in pain. Arizona isn't for everyone but it will make you feel better, good luck with your search for the perfect weather.
I live in Southeast Arizona. My husband and I moved out here in 1999 from Michigan (my home state and Canada his). I have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue syndrome and Rheumatoid arthritis. I do know ALL about Tombstone and Sierra Vista.
I live just Northeast of both those towns. Sierra Vista is #1. expensive! #2. has colder winters in that area and gets light dustings of snow and gets ICE! yes ice; anytime in the months of Jan. Feb. Mar. The cold weather starts in late November and we have been in Sierra Vista during the month of December before and experienced it snowing! Sierra Vista can get anywhere from 1" to 4" of snow, and if you know about driving on snow, then you know that 1" of is far more dangerous to drive on than 1 foot!!! Where I live we don't have pinion trees or pine trees, those are up on Mt. Graham which is just fine with us. Also Sierra Vista can get up to 4" of ice which does not melt in an hour or two! We inquired about it when we noticed that A LOT of people who live there have 4 wheel drive vehicles!!!
Tombstone is a dusty dry tiny tourist town! It's an official town and all the shops close their doors between 5pm and 6pm except the local bars. It's full of ghost stories and legends. but that is about all Tombstone has to offer, there are no near by grocery stores or Wal-Mart, Home depot or Lowes. There aren't any major grocery stores in Tombstone either and
there is no hospital or clinic. Get sick or need a doctor or have an emergency and you'll be going to Tucson or Safford. The same applies to Sierra Vista although Sierra Vista does have a Wal-Mart, HD and Lowes it does Not have and official hospital, it only has a clinic, again you would have to go to Safford or Tucson.
Whenever anyone needs an ambulance in any of those area out there it's always a toss-up for the drivers as to which city to take the patient because both towns are just about the same distance by ambulance to Tucson or Safford.. The only exceptions are in the cases of Heart attack or burns, then you will go to Tucson or in the case of a very serious snake bite you'll end up in Phoenix.
Safford is our closest town and it has like I said an official hospital and a brand new Cancer facility because Safford is growing (just not super fast) and we are glad about that! In this area where I live the weather is actually pretty perfect. They call this area where I live " The Best Kept Secret in the Arizona" and here's why; because it's got the best weather all year long.
In this area the desert has an average temperature of 99'F in mid summer which by the way drops when a monsoon arrives to a comfortable temp of 75'F to 80'F. and it will take a week for that temp to get back up to 99'F Our humidity here is very low usually between 10% 25% very little flux. your certainly not going to get a head ach from it.
From research I've done and from 16 years of experience from living in this area the reason the weather is so good is because this area is nestled in a big valley surrounds by 7 mountain ranges which keeps this Gila valley cooler than Any other desert. Bonus! NO smog, NO acid rain and NO tornadoes!!! Gila is pronounced "He La" well that is how we were told to pronounce it. LOL
If you want snow you have it up on the mountains during winter, if you miss grass on your feet you'll find that up on the mountain and at Roper Lake State Park, located just 5 miles south of Safford and yes! a lake in the desert! 300 acres of lake, with camping, fishing, swimming + a natural spring fed hot tub and boating all year long. Roper Lake will never close!
As for Phoenix, summer temps are HOT ALL summer long with their temps being above 100+ everyday and it isn't uncommon for Phoenix to see temps lasts for a week near the 120'F!!! that's every summer. they also get some of the worst dust storms that turn day into night!. Micro burst that rip trees out, all the signs of a tornado to me!, but people call it a micro burst! All of the desert will have the occasional dust storms and in our area they are short lived and rain drops may follow, but there is NO flooding in the Safford area at least not that I've ever seen in the past 16 years. Oh the washes Might get 4 or 5 inches of water certainly no more if that! Once the monsoon rain ends here those tiny washes are dried up within an hour or so.
If we ever move it will be to Tucson just because my specialist are there. Not only do I have Fibro since 1993 and Rheumatoid ( hereditary) since 2000, but I also have degenerative disk disease and a lung disease due smoking in the past when I was much, much younger and also because we are in our 60's and 70's
Tucson is Not a rat race. Tucson has several malls for shopping and lots of places to eat out. The city itself is laid back (relaxed) and easy to get around.
Phoenix is very LARGE and Not easy to get around, mainly because of so much traffic! and it will take a long time to get from one end to the other or to wherever your going. For us Phoenix is a rat race, long rush hours and certainly not relaxed! But Phoenix has it all as far as sports, movie stars and big events, just great for someone who's NOT in Any pain:)
Northern Arizona is beautiful BUT! remember what I said about the pine trees and pinion trees? WELL there are tons of them up North. Flag Staff gets an average of 2 to 4 feet of snow ALL winter long and has in fact a world famous ski resort up there. The Grand Canyon is a must see.
The best way to see it is in the middle of summer other wise you will be driving for an hour and a half from Flag Staff to and from on dangerous and icy roads. Going up into the Blue Ridge wilderness during summer is a fantastic get away for camping etc. Some of the lakes up there, like Big Lake is really beautiful to camp at during summer. However you have to keep in mind of those dang pine trees because... where there are pine trees there can and sometimes are serious forest fires!
That was a major draw back for us when we first moved out here. We went up there and toured the entire East and Northeast of Arizona for a year!and while doing so it occurred to us as beautiful as it is, it gets a lot of SNOW! Granted some area only get a few inches but it's cold up there!
As you know snow=pain, thunder storms=pain all because UP there you have the barometric pressure=pain.
We feel blessed to have found this area of Arizona. Fibro-wise where we live today because this area right here is the best kept secret in Arizona and I have NOT had a flare up in over14 years now! However if you have fibro you probably have chronic fatigue syndrome, they usually go hand in hand. chronic fatigue syndrome makes you feel weak and no energy and sometimes presents with flu like symptoms. Sometimes you may feel so weak you feel like if you don't lay down, you'll faint!
I say move to where the weather has low humidity because the humid temps cause that flux in pressure and your in pain. Arizona isn't for everyone but it will make you feel better, good luck with your search for the perfect weather.
Hi harpsong, I was wondering if you ever made the move to the tombstone, southern Arizona area ?
I live in Oklahoma and am in almost constant pain and all the other things that go with fibro. The only time I feel fair here is June to Sept. in the years we have a drought.( The record breaking rain we are having now is killing me.)
I have done a lot of research on the Tombstone, Sierra Vista area. I would love to move, but I am on disability and would have to sell my house here first.
I would really like to here from people that have made the move from Oklahoma ( or any where) and if they did a lot better in Arizona.
The only problem with me, like I said is the cost of living would be more in Arizona ( Oklahoma is about the cheapest place in the U.S. to live) and It would be a big thing for me to move. I have no way to go out first and try it out.
I was thinking of sierra vista Arizona. Tombstone is so small I would have to drive to Sierra vista to shop and I might not be able to afford the transportation. Tombstone also has a higher crime rate per capita than sierra Vista. Anyone who has information on Sierra vista and Tombstone I would really like to here from.
About twenty years ago there was woman from near my home town in Okla. that was in a wheel chair from aurtheritus, she moved to Tombstone AZ. and was able to walk again right away and before long was able to even go back to work. When she would come back to Okla. to visit in winter she would get real bad again.
The cold and high humidity bother me and although I can't take being very hot it's the humidity that really bothers me. The constant changing of the temp. here in Okla. is the main thing that bothers me, that and the humidity.
Thanks, and try to be as well all of us can be. God Bless to all.
I live in Oklahoma and am in almost constant pain and all the other things that go with fibro. The only time I feel fair here is June to Sept. in the years we have a drought.( The record breaking rain we are having now is killing me.)
I have done a lot of research on the Tombstone, Sierra Vista area. I would love to move, but I am on disability and would have to sell my house here first.
I would really like to here from people that have made the move from Oklahoma ( or any where) and if they did a lot better in Arizona.
The only problem with me, like I said is the cost of living would be more in Arizona ( Oklahoma is about the cheapest place in the U.S. to live) and It would be a big thing for me to move. I have no way to go out first and try it out.
I was thinking of sierra vista Arizona. Tombstone is so small I would have to drive to Sierra vista to shop and I might not be able to afford the transportation. Tombstone also has a higher crime rate per capita than sierra Vista. Anyone who has information on Sierra vista and Tombstone I would really like to here from.
About twenty years ago there was woman from near my home town in Okla. that was in a wheel chair from aurtheritus, she moved to Tombstone AZ. and was able to walk again right away and before long was able to even go back to work. When she would come back to Okla. to visit in winter she would get real bad again.
The cold and high humidity bother me and although I can't take being very hot it's the humidity that really bothers me. The constant changing of the temp. here in Okla. is the main thing that bothers me, that and the humidity.
Thanks, and try to be as well all of us can be. God Bless to all.
Hi
I've got fibro, was diagnosed a couple years ago, im male and live in united kingdom, the change in weather conditions here absolutely make severe pain, its quite horrible with weather changes and damp cold conditions, I've been to spain a couple times in last 2 years and found the warmer climate there helped alot.. is there any research studies of different countries that help with fibro.
thanks paul
I've got fibro, was diagnosed a couple years ago, im male and live in united kingdom, the change in weather conditions here absolutely make severe pain, its quite horrible with weather changes and damp cold conditions, I've been to spain a couple times in last 2 years and found the warmer climate there helped alot.. is there any research studies of different countries that help with fibro.
thanks paul
Hi
I have fibro as well, and we are trying to find a state that will not make me hurt so bad. So far thanks to My Husbands contracts, we have lived in MI (home) Utah, Colorado, NC, SC and Idaho. and we are now back in MI and Im hurting all the time.
The humidity in the Carolina's was a bit overbearing and I cannot be in A/C with my fibro.. The West was hot and dry and I felt ok there, but still hurt. We are heading to GA .... I think the continual warmth is good, The COLD and damp and winters kill me.
I have fibro as well, and we are trying to find a state that will not make me hurt so bad. So far thanks to My Husbands contracts, we have lived in MI (home) Utah, Colorado, NC, SC and Idaho. and we are now back in MI and Im hurting all the time.
The humidity in the Carolina's was a bit overbearing and I cannot be in A/C with my fibro.. The West was hot and dry and I felt ok there, but still hurt. We are heading to GA .... I think the continual warmth is good, The COLD and damp and winters kill me.
Are you sure you had mono? At 17, my doctor diagnosed me with mono, even though the test was negative. I had a very low white blood cell count that he couldn't explain. It was the broader Epstein-Barr virus, but not specifically mono. I did get a little better in the time most mono sufferers do, but I never fully recovered my core energy. You can see it in my eyes and demeanor the rest of my high school and into college years. I don't think the Epstein-barr went away, at least not for me. Later, at 24, I was finally diagnosed with CFIDS and Fibromyalgia, possibly SAD. We moved to CA for my health - best move I ever made. I wish I was still there. I hope you find help. My best help was walking in the sunshine, Body Ecology Diet, breathing exercise like BodyFlex and lots of water. Worked wonders. I felt human again until I got brave and moved to Iowa. Oops! Best wishes!
Since I was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr at age 17, I struggled with my health and eventually was diagnosed in north shore Chicago with Fibromyalgia at 24. I am now 45, so it's been a long road, one in which it was hard to believe could ever improve. We made the move to the San Jose, CA area when I was 29. For 13 years I made an uphill climb, going from practically bedridden to very active and nearly pain-free. If you can afford it, go there. Though I still had pain days, I could get outside and walk in the sunshine nearly every day. It made a huge difference. Then, after going on the Body Ecology Diet, I thought I had kicked Fibro's butt. We moved to Iowa when my husband was offered a great job. It has not been good for me. I have since gone backwards and recently had hip arthroscopic surgery on top of it all. I am still in pain from surgery after 6 months, and I think it's because of muscle tightening with Fibro. I've noticed a very distinct correlation between barometric pressure fluctuations and pain. When the pressure goes down fast, I have severe muscle pain. When it goes up, I'm ok for a while, but when it reaches a high point (I haven't discovered what point that is exactly) my joints hurt and pop from air in the joints, which lasts a couple of days even after the pressure descends again. One thing I did have trouble with in the San Jose area was daily fluctuations in temperature. The days are almost always perfect. The nights can get cold, not the kind of cold the northern states get, but the fluctuation was the problem. I do best when the temperature is in the sweet spot - 70s and 80s, which is most of the time there. I want to go back. We are looking to see if Sacramento might be a good option. Bless all of you who suffer like me. It really is a challenges ailment, to be sure.
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