I have so far a milder case of SS so far although I can tell it's progressed somewhat. Anyway, I am 63 and retired for two years and live in South Dakota but have visited Phoenix Metro area a few time and know people who winter there and live here, etc.
I am spending the winter there and then plan on moving permanently next Fall. Will I regret this? Will the climate in Scottsdale or surrounding areas make yet miserable? I will have the ability to leave periodically during the summer, etc... I am just thinking the sunshine will outweigh the negative symptoms. Can I get some opinions please? Thanks.
My mom said that for her artritis, she had to spend the summer there. She weas living in her motor home. Before summer was a month old she was back in MN.
Oh, Joe, the summers in AZ are often well over 100 degrees.
They say 'dry heat', but an oven is also dry heat, but you wouldn't want to live into an oven set to 106!
But of course air-conditioning makes all the difference.
All that said, I think that for Redfield, the sunshine will certainly be a plus.
I grew up and lived most of my life (until age 52) above the SNOW LINE (KS, RI, MA).
For the past 23 years I have lived BELOW the SNOW LINE (GA, TX, and now NC) and I can say for sure that it is a joy to live with sun and freedom from ice, ice on roads, ice on steps and side walks.
It is a big plus that my younger son and his wife and four children live less that 15 minutes from us, as well.
The driest place I've lived was in Texas (4 years) and I relied on AC, my humidifier, and in the first 6 months Chapstick for my lips. I find high humidity to be far more difficult for my Sjogren's than dryness and heat.
Regards, Elaine
Quote from: Carolina on December 09, 2017, 07:14:32 AM
Oh, Joe, the summers in AZ are often well over 100 degrees.
They say 'dry heat', but an oven is also dry heat, but you wouldn't want to live into an oven set to 106!
But of course air-conditioning makes all the difference.
All that said, I think that for Redfield, the sunshine will certainly be a plus.
I grew up and lived most of my life (until age 52) above the SNOW LINE (KS, RI, MA).
For the past 23 years I have lived BELOW the SNOW LINE (GA, TX, and now NC) and I can say for sure that it is a joy to live with sun and freedom from ice, ice on roads, ice on steps and side walks.
It is a big plus that my younger son and his wife and four children live less that 15 minutes from us, as well.
The driest place I've lived was in Texas (4 years) and I relied on AC, my humidifier, and in the first 6 months Chapstick for my lips. I find high humidity to be far more difficult for my Sjogren's than dryness and heat.
Regards, Elaine
That is encouraging since seems mostly I"ve been reading that it's easier to deal with in humidity than drier climates such as the Phoenix Metro. I guess I'll find out. I suppose there are other issues to consider and even if it's not as ideal, other lifestyle considerations with regard to how happy one is in an environment can make a difference, also, I would think.
"Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be."
Abraham Lincoln.
Where ever you go, we'll be there with you.
Hugs, Elaine
I don't want to sound discouraging but I live in Los Angeles where the humidity is fairly low all year and it's always sunny. My mouth, nose and lungs are so dry and joints hurt all year. When it rains, I do my happy dance and feel such relief. We are currently experiencing Santa Ana winds and 5-15% humidity. My humidifier has been on high non-stop but it doesn't seem to make a difference. My eyes are scratching. It's difficult to swallow food without a drink. Every joint is painful. I think AZ tends to be much less humid than us and everyone is different but my dream would be to retire to somewhere like Wisconsin or anywhere there is humidity/rain/snow/clouds all year.
Quote from: Sweetcheex76 on December 09, 2017, 11:16:57 AM
I don't want to sound discouraging but I live in Los Angeles where the humidity is fairly low all year and it's always sunny. My mouth, nose and lungs are so dry and joints hurt all year. When it rains, I do my happy dance and feel such relief. We are currently experiencing Santa Ana winds and 5-15% humidity. My humidifier has been on high non-stop but it doesn't seem to make a difference. My eyes are scratching. It's difficult to swallow food without a drink. Every joint is painful. I think AZ tends to be much less humid than us and everyone is different but my dream would be to retire to somewhere like Wisconsin or anywhere there is humidity/rain/snow/clouds all year.
No perfect place and remember the northern places are very very dry in the winter...I live in South Dakota and it's bone dry here in the winter,....and IT'S WINTER!! >:(
It's only slightly drier where I moved to and I notice it.
Also, the summers are hotter and it was very difficult.
Some days close to 100 degrees and even though I'm accustomed to warm weather, this knocked me for a loop. Mega fatigue and a little extra dryness...which I did not need.
But, I'm learning a few things that help a little...every little bit helps...drinking more water, avoid salty foods, avoid going out mid day, I'm using a diffuser that mists water at night (with lavender oil) etc.
Quote from: Nomad on December 12, 2017, 07:58:06 PM
It's only slightly drier where I moved to and I notice it.
Also, the summers are hotter and it was very difficult.
Some days close to 100 degrees and even though I'm accustomed to warm weather, this knocked me for a loop. Mega fatigue and a little extra dryness...which I did not need.
But, I'm learning a few things that help a little...every little bit helps...drinking more water, avoid salty foods, avoid going out mid day, I'm using a diffuser that mists water at night (with lavender oil) etc.
Thanks for the info. I really want to move to AZ, but don't want the SS to be so bad that I'm miserable. So am wondering if it's manageable there. I've some connections there, etc. and plan on retirement there. I have visited a few times and spent a week this summer in August and although the throat was dry I didn't try a humidifier or anything as I was only there a short time. I am spending three months there this winter to explore so I guess I'll fine out more then. Don't want to sacrifice lifestyle pluses in AZ if I'm only "a little" bit more uncomfortable...bit certainly don't want to be totally miserable either....
I love AZ but would have the same doubts about moving there. One thing to consider is that many older houses there have evaporative coolers instead of or in addition to AC. That would be great because ECs actually add humidity while AC makes it even drier. I personally would live in the Valley because I can't take the heat, but the northern part of the state is lovely.
On the other hand, if you live somewhere where it's often below freezing then you already have experience with really dry weather. I don't think that AZ is any drier than a SD winter, necessarily.
I wish you well whatever you decide.
I would hate hate hate Phoenix .. but maybe Scottsdale is much better due to elevation?
Caroline... Where in Texas?
I was in El Paso, TX for four years, 2006-2010. Moved to help family, they are now in Raleigh, 15 minutes from us.
Positives: Elevation of 4000 ft means much cooler than many places, for example Phoenix.
Beautiful scenery. You can see for miles and miles and miles...mountains all around.
Safest City of its size (750,000) in the USA, according to the FBI. Across from Juarez, Mexico,
but so safe.
VERY DRY, average annual precipitation is less than 8 inches.
80% Sunny days, with full sun.
Negatives: At the end of the known world. It is closer to LA than Dallas, if you can imagine.
Mountain Time Zone, by the way, not Central like the rest of Texas.
There is nothing of interest to see or do. New Mexico surrounds El Paso on three sides and
there are some interesting things to see and do in New Mexico, also in Mexico.
It is very very very poor. Only one national chain drug store, and only one chain
supermarket. Huge military bases, 80% Latino (Spanish is necessary for most jobs)
Medical care is generally poor, but you can find good doctors with effort and know how.
No body of water anywhere, just sand.
We would have moved sooner than 2010 but my husband loved his job at UTEP, and it took a while to sell our house post 2008.
I like where we are in NC so much better. But I've become an East Coast person. So even the time zone feels right.
I've lived in lots of places. Moving is traumatic, but survivable.
Best wishes,
Elaine
Quote from: Nymph on December 13, 2017, 04:17:15 PM
I love AZ but would have the same doubts about moving there. One thing to consider is that many older houses there have evaporative coolers instead of or in addition to AC. That would be great because ECs actually add humidity while AC makes it even drier. I personally would live in the Valley because I can't take the heat, but the northern part of the state is lovely.
On the other hand, if you live somewhere where it's often below freezing then you already have experience with really dry weather. I don't think that AZ is any drier than a SD winter, necessarily.
I wish you well whatever you decide.
Wouldn't a really good whole house humidifier alleviate a lot of the concern? Just wondering...
I think the idea of exploring for theee months is great!
And perhaps short trips during varying seasons, which it sounds like you are doing.
I'm amazed how much my little diffuser thing only in the bedroom is helping me. It was not technically designed as a humidifier. It is to bring oil into the room. But I put water into the small machine and it clearly steams and puts out mist. No biggie.
Also, the other things I mentioned like drinking lots of water. I find it helps a little. I've recently discovered if I eat pizza (very salty!) nine times out of ten I will wake up with dry mouth. So, I'm avoiding pizza which makes me bloat anyway.
For me, sometimes it's the little things that add up to a nice/positive difference/result.
Hang in there!
PS Elaine is right. Moving is almost always traumatic. We were in our previous home 20+ years. It certainly is possible, for me, the slight weather change hit me harder than I thought because my immune system was already going bonkers. We had 250+ boxes to unpack and all sorts of oddities to contend with. It is helpful that you know the area and some folks there. Plus you are doing a lot of exploring. If possible, try to get a good doctor lined up. Someone suggested (maybe here) that I get my bedroom situated asap since I might not feel well and to be able to rest is very comforting. It was VERY worth it...but it is taxing.
Caroline ... I can bet that your assessment of El Paso is spot on! I'm from Houston, but I've been to El Paso once or twice. It's a LONG WAY from nowhere.