I grew up in Atlanta, GA area with bad allergies. I am allergic to just about anything that grows, it seems, but dust/mites & cats were my very worst. As an adult they finally got so bad I left my home state in hopes of finding a healthier place to live. And for about 7 yrs, I thought I had in San Jose, CA (south of SF). An allergist here once told me, given the severity of my allergies previously, if they hadn’t developed within a couple years of living here they weren’t likely to - not true.

My last 3 springs here have been miserable, I believe due to late heavy winter rains bringing on heavy pollenation. What is really interesting is I had noticed at other times during the winter months after a rain I could actually breathe BETTER! Less congestion. Who can Figure!

It is so true that what area is best for you depends on what you are sensitive to. Many people here say this is the worst place to live because everything grows here. I’ve heard & say the South is the Allergy Capitol because of the humidity - it amplifies everything, esp molds!

So now I too am contemplating moving on to another state, but don’t know where I would do best for the longest term. Desert? Wyoming with its frigid winters & mild summers? I do love snow & mountains! What about Montana? Any opinions? Near the Rockies, of course! Any suggestions appreciated. — Linda, San Jose, CA

I’ve lived in southern California (Los Angeles), western Montana (Missoula and Bozeman), Arizona (Tucson and Phoenix), and northern Oregon (Portland). The best experience I’ve had is Tucson and the second best is Phoenix. The worst so far has been Portland.

My opinion is that in Arizona it’s so dry and hot that after April nothing blooms again until January or February, giving a person 9 months of light allergies to complete allergy relief. However, beware that Arizona has become not as good for allergy sufferers over the years due to the increasing amount of grass (golf courses and master planned developments); that being said, there’s a movement to introduce more xeriscaping (desert landscaping) which may, in time, restore the natural balance in the area.

In Montana, there are some rough months (May/June/July) but it’s so cold and wet that there’s not a lot that happens allergy wise from October through April.

Portland, OR has been terrible. Every day’s worth of rain brings days worth of blooming and, when things aren’t blooming, they’re moldy. I’ve yet to find a prescription or OTC medication that manages my Portland hay fever. Symptoms range from constricted breathing to extended sneezing sessions. — TK, Oregon