Best places to live with MS

[Pablo_Morphy]

I am curious:  What would be the best places to live with MS, and why?  I guess weather is the first issue.  I am from a very hot town, and I currently reside in a place that gets very hot summers and there is a high risk of hurricanes.  Another issue would be healthcare.  Family and friends are an absolute priority as well.  What places would you consider?  

[Pinkmama1]

Canada ***** the wait lists suck. Doctors r burnt out working in a public system. Don't move to a cold country with MS. Canada has extreme barometric changes from the ocean and mountains in west and over the great lakes. Plus it is boring and expensive. Canada has the most amount of MS patients in the world. Interestingly everyone I know who has tested positive for MS  tests positive for Lyme disease. Is it really MS or MS secondary to untreated Lyme disease? If you treat the Lyme disease would the MS go away?

[jadasgateway]

Hi Pablo,

Canada has a great health care program - sometimes the wait time for appointments and tests is longer than in the U.S, but the services are just as good. I have lots of family in the U.S. and my sister pays so much for her insurance that I can't even imagine it... so the difference really comes in regarding cost.  I don't have to pay for any appointments or tests. I was just recently diagnosed and found out that most of my drugs are covered by my province's health program (some province's cover more and some less) and the remaining cost is covered by a grant - I've never heard of anyone who has not been able to get full coverage.  

Regarding the weather - Canada has so many different climates that it's just as broad of a topic as considering a move within the U.S. Most parts of Canada, except the west coast and the northern provinces and territories, are 4 climate seasons, and have severe swings from hot to cold throughout the year. The west coast has a more mild climate but it's wet, which is not ideal for MS as it promotes inflammation. The territories are very, very cold, but they are dry. Ideally the mountains flanking BC and Alberta would be ideal as the temperatures are mild (although colder than the valleys in the winter - they do get snow) but are dryer. I would think mid U.S. mountain ranges would be ideal as well. What I do know is that while less people who live close to the equator get MS, living closer to the equatore once you have it is difficult. the temperatures are more even but are much warmer. Although if you live on the coast where coastal breezes help to cool things down, that would help. I've often thought that the San Fran area would be great as the temperatures are fairly regular, not too hot or cold and not too wet.

I hope this helps,

Janine

[Sidesteps]

I am voting for my area as well: Pacific Northwest. I live in a nice little suburb of Seattle. It's a 40 minute drive to get there for me.  

I am in limboland but the limited exposure I've had to heat has been a really good thing. I've had ONE day were the temperature reached 80* and my symptoms flared. We also are a hot spot for MS so I'm hopeful that the doctors are a little more aware and knowledgeable.

I am from Colorado Springs. I'd move back there in a second as well. I'd try to limit my time outdoors during the peak of the summer. I love the Rocky Mountain back drop and the dry heat. I miss living there. I'd have to live near a lake in order to bring my PNW roots back with me. :)

I would love to retire in Hawaii. My husband and I had intended on it - snorkeling with my Starbucks (I am a Seattle-ite by nature!) at sunrise every day is my dream. I'm not sure how that will work if this is MS. Is it possible for your body to acclimate to the temperature changes? ::)

[jensequitur]

I would like very much to move upstate.  Texas has become very hot, and it won't get any better.  It's starting sooner and sooner - this year, it got hot in April, and we were seeing 100° days before June.  Wow, only 98° today.  Whoo-hoo!

When we got our house, I expected to be able to mow the yard and take care of things - now I'm lucky to be able to stand up long enough to do dishes.  So we're keeping the option of moving to Canada in our minds...

[essdipity]

I liked this thread originally and still do.

Particularly because of my active fantasy life, I love imagining living in a lot of places, always on a coast, though. San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle all have their charms, and since I've been to all, this has some basis in reality.

But when it's all boiled down, I'm an east coast kind of lady. This is where my roots are, my family, my home. Horrible hot summers, very unpredictable but often bad winters, beautiful springs and falls. Home is always best. I just have to deal with MS on home terms.

Bet people here didn't realize I'm a sentimental fool.

ess

[COBOB]

Moist heat and cold are worse.  Higher humidity increases the Thermal Transfer Rate, so you get hotter faster (and colder quicker.)  Low humidity can also save you money.  Swamp coolers (Evaporative coolers) and other evaporative cooling (vests, towels, etc.) work in low humidity, but are not very effective in high humidity.

Bob