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Best place to live with MS?
So if you have MS and you could live anywhere in the USA, where would you live? Or where is the best place to live? Consider though that you will be on this type of Medical Insurance-Medicare/Medicaid. Also consider the climate, medical location, mental health services, medical options, pain management, things like this. I guess I am considering moving out of my state and I am looking to move. So with that I bring this question to the community to find out where you all live or would like to live when you have MS to deal with. Thanks
disillusioned2014
disillusioned2014
I used to "snowbird" it, spending summers in Maine and winters in FL and AR and finally couldn't do the drive anymore. I find that extreme weather in either state triggered relapses or mini flares. So I would choose when to be outside. Now that I am stuck in one state, I stay inside when its hotter than my MS can handle and do the same in the winter. I miss the back and forth but its nice to know where everything is! I travel 465 to my neuro but don't want to live there. He's fantastic and worth the twice a year drive.
I don't think there is a "perfect" state or we would all be there! MS is different in each of us, as to what weather we can handle. Some of us have no choice as to where we live. (I no longer do). I know from listening to some of our Canadian friends that their health system does have pretty tight rules on MS and what you can use for meds. One friend has to go thru 3 other drugs before she can try the one she wants.
Or to quote an old saying I saw somewhere, pertaining to gardening but could pertain to us "grow where you are planted"……..
I don't think there is a "perfect" state or we would all be there! MS is different in each of us, as to what weather we can handle. Some of us have no choice as to where we live. (I no longer do). I know from listening to some of our Canadian friends that their health system does have pretty tight rules on MS and what you can use for meds. One friend has to go thru 3 other drugs before she can try the one she wants.
Or to quote an old saying I saw somewhere, pertaining to gardening but could pertain to us "grow where you are planted"……..
got family there in both redding, shasta and seattle so I am looking into that. Thanks for confirming what I already feel in my mind, heart and body..
The Seattle area has access to great medical facilities, so no worries there. The climate is generally mild- so that's a plus for people with MS. We don't usually get the extremes in weather that a lot of other places get. It doesn't get hot here very often either. However, if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, the grey skies may be difficult to handle.
I've also heard that high desert (like say Redding, CA) can work for people with MS. It gets very hot, but because there is very little humidity, it's not too bad. I live in Seattle now, but after my husband retires, we may check out Northern California
I've also heard that high desert (like say Redding, CA) can work for people with MS. It gets very hot, but because there is very little humidity, it's not too bad. I live in Seattle now, but after my husband retires, we may check out Northern California
Yes MN is "Minnesota Nice" that is kinda a BS statement when you really live here but the medical is good. I want to move for other reasons. I also have family on the West coast and I have lived here my whole life and would like to explore the rest of the Earth in the West. Thank you for posting the threads. I was just in Eugene In Jan, Passed though on my way to Lincoln City. Its very green. Hugs Thx
Because MS treats us all a little differently, and we all prioritize different needs and desires to begin with, it's impossible to designate a single best place to live. I would think Minnesota is relatively MS-friendly, so I wonder why you say "I cannot stay where I live now." Maybe it's because you're in a rural area?
In western Oregon we don't often face temperature or humidity extremes. However, we don't get much sun exposure. Portland has very well regarded MS care, mostly at OHSU, but I've never needed to utilize it. Services in my mid-sized city of Eugene are sufficient for my relatively benign condition. It probably wouldn't be prudent for me to be more than an hour away from a 50,000+ city, whether in Oregon or anywhere else. The Oregon Health Plan is supposedly groundbreaking in providing for people in general, although I have no personal experience. The Cover Oregon system set up for the Affordable Care Act has been a debacle.
Low cost of living and low population density all mean low stress, which helps keep MS at bay. I wouldn't consider Oregon particularly low on the cost-of-living scale. I think we have outstanding accommodations for people with disabilities.
Ultimately I think where I live is as good as anywhere if MS is the only concern. However, I came here and I'm staying here because of employment and family first of all, secondly because it's a fun place to live if you enjoy the outdoors.
You might gain further insight from older threads. These are a couple I found by searching for "best places to live."
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Best-places-to-live-with-MS/show/1253439
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/best-place-to-move-to-for-cold-intolerance-ms/show/1869617
In western Oregon we don't often face temperature or humidity extremes. However, we don't get much sun exposure. Portland has very well regarded MS care, mostly at OHSU, but I've never needed to utilize it. Services in my mid-sized city of Eugene are sufficient for my relatively benign condition. It probably wouldn't be prudent for me to be more than an hour away from a 50,000+ city, whether in Oregon or anywhere else. The Oregon Health Plan is supposedly groundbreaking in providing for people in general, although I have no personal experience. The Cover Oregon system set up for the Affordable Care Act has been a debacle.
Low cost of living and low population density all mean low stress, which helps keep MS at bay. I wouldn't consider Oregon particularly low on the cost-of-living scale. I think we have outstanding accommodations for people with disabilities.
Ultimately I think where I live is as good as anywhere if MS is the only concern. However, I came here and I'm staying here because of employment and family first of all, secondly because it's a fun place to live if you enjoy the outdoors.
You might gain further insight from older threads. These are a couple I found by searching for "best places to live."
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Best-places-to-live-with-MS/show/1253439
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/best-place-to-move-to-for-cold-intolerance-ms/show/1869617
Anyone in the States have really good State Medical for there MS? What about the weather and how if affects you? Where would you rather live if the weather affects you? Does the hot and humidity affect you or does the cold affect you too?
disilluisioned2014
disilluisioned2014
I'm in Colorado & according to my doc we do not get enough of the UV rays needed for vitamin D and the closer to the equator one is the less chance of developing MS...not sure on how that affects us after a diagnosis ? Any comments?
Can you move to another country and become a citizen, despite being disabled? If have sometimes wanted to move to Canada, but I suppose that I could not keep US insurance and would not be eligible for Canadian health programs.
;) got it thanks. I know I said I could live anywhere but 1 place I can't live is in Canada. I wish. :( Some day maybe. I will keep dreaming of those mountains in my sleep though. disillusioned2014
No, not Washington. Vancouver, BC. It rains a lot there too. I've always loved the rain.
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Vancouver Washington? If so doesn't it rain there a lot? I have family on the West Coast. I cannot stay where I live now. I don't have the DX of MS yet, but I know it is coming. Can someone tell me why I didn't get the email notice that you all had responded to this post? I am a little confused. You say that Vancouver has good medical..? Like and examples, where..Anything at this point will help.
disillusioned2014
disillusioned2014
Ohio isn't great because we have summer heat and winter cold, but we're accessible to lots of places by car or plane. Affordable housing and cost of living. Access to great medical care.
but most of all, the family is here and it would be difficult to live far away and only see them a few times a year.
If it weren't for that, I would pick the pacific northwest for the climate and the beauty.
but most of all, the family is here and it would be difficult to live far away and only see them a few times a year.
If it weren't for that, I would pick the pacific northwest for the climate and the beauty.
I live in Devon in England. Medication is free here, so no cost. Would be nice to have dryer weather more often.
I'm in Canada. My first choice would be Vancouver, where I lived for a while growing up. Moderate temps, lots to do, beautiful city, great medical care, very laid back atmosphere. I'm presently in Calgary. Cold winters, yuck. Summers nice, can get a bit too hot but doesn't last too long. Also great medical care. No sales tax. Near the Rocky mountains. Much more corporate in vibe, with some cowboy attitude thrown in. Will probably stay here ten more years till my husband is 55, and retire in Vancouver.
I think the biggest considerations when you have a chronic disease are affordability ie where you can live within your means, quality of health care and most important, support system.
I think the biggest considerations when you have a chronic disease are affordability ie where you can live within your means, quality of health care and most important, support system.
I love where I am (Santa Cruz Mts., CA). The weather can't be beat! The downside? This is one of the most expensive places to live on the planet!
I live on Long Island, just across the border from Queens, one of the 5 boros of NYC. We have hot summers, with lots of humidity, and cold winters. This winter has been a peach!
My MS does not seem to overreact to either. My amazing doc is in NYC and I love coming in to the city for shows, concerts, restaurants etc.
I think I'll stay put :-)
Kyle
My MS does not seem to overreact to either. My amazing doc is in NYC and I love coming in to the city for shows, concerts, restaurants etc.
I think I'll stay put :-)
Kyle
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