I have lived in Seattle, WA for seven years and had no allergies. I Moved to Northern Virginia four years age and my allergy symptoms have gone up each year.  I am on medication 24/7.  I have always wanted to move to California because of the great weather.  Will my allegies get better in California?  If yes, please suggest an area. — Anuradha, Virginia

I lived in SF Bay Area and suffered seasonal allergy. Medication helped, but I was quite dependent on it. I then moved to Austin, Texas. And I’ve been living in hell since. I suffer year long severe allergy (the usual spring/fall allergy, plus winter - summer doesn’t count since you can’t really go out in 100+ anyway).

I’m considering moving out of the area. Although almost anywhere is better than Austin, I wonder if there’s a better place for me. I’m allergic to pretty much everything, but worst with “Bermuda Grass, English Rye, Mountain Cedar, and Chinese Juniper”.

By the way, my current top places to move are San Diego (CA), Seattle (WA), and Portland/Vancouver (WA). Appreciate any input. — Max, California

I have had asthma/allergies since an infant. I have lived in Oak Harbor & Tacoma Washington; Tucson Az; Va Beach, Va; and now SD, Ca. Living where there is an offshore breeze always helps to keep the air clean & easier to breathe. We now have no carpeting, and a air cleaner in each rm; perhaps this makes a big difference as well. — MT, San Diego

I have recurrent sinus infections along with nasal polyps. I have no known allergies. I plan to move to Seattle, WA. Is this area good or bad for people like me with these problems? — CRL, United States

I’m from Los Angeles, and I had minor asthma there, I moved to Seattle and began serious sinus problems, I’m now in Portland, Oregon and I have life threatening asthma as well as very frequent and painful sinus problems. My doc agreed Portland is the worst place for my allergies esp. to grasses. I’m considering Denver, Co I heard there are no dust mite allergies is this true? My doc also recommended Hawaii, any advice on Hawaii for pollen and allergies? Or any other best cities in the US? — Rebecca, California

Illinois (Chicago area): Awful. Lived there as a child, was often miserable.

Northern New Mexico: Moderate symptoms, but a tremendous improvement from Illinois.

Northern Utah: No symptoms whatsoever.

Eastern Washington (Tri-Cities): Bad, too much airborne dust.

Western Washington (Seattle): Light symptoms, dramatic improvement.

Western Oregon (Portland): Awful. Ryegrass season was sheer hell. 80-90% of the world’s ryegrass seed is produced in the Willamette Valley! Brought back long-suppressed bad childhood memories.

Coastal California (Santa Barbara and San Francisco): Very few symptoms.

Best compromise between personal preference in climate and symptoms has been Seattle area; probably anywhere on coast or Puget Sound area would be as good. — DWB, Washington

4ys ago moved to Tacoma WA USA from Sydney NSW AUS. Declined in health with no plausible cause. A doctor advised move out of Tacoma - we moved to Seattle. Last year I experienced anaphylsis first hand and was placed on numerous meds. My husband placed me on a ferry from Bellingham to Ketchikan Alaska. By the time I arrived in AK I was breathing very well and experiencing quality of life again. After return to Seattle and almost dying the doctors got me medicated well enough to travel back to Sydney. This was to re-set my body clock.

I returned to Seattle with fewer symptoms. Then this year my husband took a job in Ketchikan AK for 6mths with an option - we are here now in the height of the allergy season!!! Life is good!!! No Life is wonderful - Big Smiles!!!
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I grew up in Seattle, WA until my late 20’s and then moved to Phoenix, AZ. I was fine for about 5 years here then, developed allergies which seem to only get worse year after year. I have tried everything with little relief. My husband and I are trying to figure out where we can move to provide a better quality of life for me. — Paige, Arizona

We have moved from Bellingham, Washington (Northwest Washington) to Reno, Nevada. My son, whom is 3 has never had any allergies. After 3 months of living here he now has a chronic cough, congestion and watery eye. We went back to Washington for the holidays (4 weeks on Christmas Break) and he completely cleared up. So, as far as I can figure he needs a more humid environment. I am trying to combat his symptoms without medications, using a humidifier at night, and a vaporizer. I refuse to throw pills at him, last time I put faith in a medication is came out to be carcinogenic. — E., Nevada

We’re looking to retire in Mexico (Pacific Coast, Central inlands, but not Mexico City). What is the allergy index like there? — Ted, Washington

[Originally posted to AllergyNursing.com on February 11, 2004]