Medical Issue that was a non-issue while living in AZ

[KewlKat]

I know all the reasons why I should not consider moving back to AZ, things that climate change is accelerating like dramatic water shortages, many more days over 100 degrees, lack of rain in monsoon season, etc. However, my skin disease is now way beyond my control and I've had to rely on a wheelchair to get around this past month. I'm in chronic pain, itch, inflammation and need relief. My dermatologist told me I should seriously think about returning to AZ to hopefully put this in remission.

Right now I have zero quality of life. I had minor issues growing up in the midwest, tho my mom had major ones, same disease, but in 1984 I moved to Tucson and within weeks it cleared completely and never returned until I left AZ in Sep 2002. I returned to the midwest due to other health issues and once relocated the disease reemerged. We've lived in WI where it started again, then off to IL where it got worse, then to ID and again worse and more areas involved and finally WA where it's been debilitating this last year. I've also developed chronic nasal allergies in WA. We love the state and the area, but I'm sick all the time with one thing or another and will be retiring the end of the year and can't imagine "living" like this for the remainder of my life.

So, I'm asking those who now live in AZ, I know there are challenges living there, but if you knew leaving would make you sick and unable to do the most basic things in life, would you stay in AZ even knowing all the climate change issue will worsen?

I just don't know what else to try to feel better...TIA

[mr_lebowski]

1. It's alright down here, I wouldn't hesitate to move here if I needed to for QOL in general

Especially if you're retired i.e. don't have to deal with rush-hour traffic. Lots and lots of retirees too.

I miss California terribly but no way I'm living in a house as nice as the one I have here ... there. Let alone owning it. Property value is going up quickly though so if you're going to buy, best get to steppin!

It's a bit of a risk seeing as how, yeah, the water could more or less run out at some point and then everyone will flee and property values would tank ... but every place has some kind of risk. California could fall off into the ocean, there's fires, mudslides, floods and earthquakes.

If you need to ... just do it, I'd say. You've lived here before the only real change is a lot more buildings and less rednecks and a few more +100 days (that's what AC is for)

[marybourg]

2. I have no real awareness of the challenges you seem to feel

are uniquely facing AZ. We have fewer disasters than most states. Climate change is threatening all.

I chose to move here, and couldn’t be happier. I can’t imagine staying away if I felt better living here.

[KewlKat]

3. Thank you for the feedback

We've lived in Tucson and Kingman. Husband is now 100% VA disabled so I'd like to be near a VA hospital, so I'm leaning toward Tucson. We met and were married there!

Still a couple friends living there and they are the ones telling us about the terrible heat in summer and the water shortage. They leave during the summer heat now. I'm hoping if we do this, I'll be well in a few months of good old sun and dry climate.

[lapfog_1]

4. if you can afford the foothills in the Santa Catalina's

in Tucson... that is not as bad Maricopa county or even the valley floor in Tucson.

Near the VA... and it is one of the better VA hospitals... I used to take my nephew there every few months.

Even in the foothills it gets ungodly hot... and water is always an issue, try to stay away from dense city housing with all of the things that make it even hotter. Desert plants and shade are your friends.

The higher in elevation, the cooler the temps. Where I lived in Sabino canyon it was generally 10F cooler than the valley floor... we even had snow that sort of stuck in the foothills just above us.

[Kali]

5. Tucson VA is one of the better ones, I have heard

you could check out Santa Cruz or Cochise counties too. there are lots of areas within an hour or so of Tucson. both have a bit more elevation for temperatures if that is a real concern. what seems to aggravate your condition? is it humidity or some other factor? don't forget there are (or should be!) a few humid hot months with the summer rains. also those higher elevation locations in the surrounding areas will be colder in the winter. I live at 4500 feet in Cochise county and we are a good 10 degrees cooler. I actually live without AC or even a swamp cooler, though it can be pretty miserable during summer daytimes. I compensate with a cheap Intex pool and just stay wet with a fan.

That is just for perspective on what a difference 10 to 15 degrees or a thousand feet or so can make.

[ChazII]

6. Our fellow DUers are giving you excellent advice.

Tucson and Phoenix have excellent medical facilities. Royalty travels to Phoenix for the help that Barrow Neurological provides. I was born and raised in Arizona. I say go for it and head to true blue Tucson. Maricopa was the fastest growing county in the nation at one time. Moving to Tucson you know that are helping it to stay blue.

My only complaint with folks moving from other areas to Arizona is that my beautiful state gets trashed. Not only with litter but with stupid comments about people actually being allowed to have horses on their property. Don't like horses than do not buy in an area designed for horses. Sorry, I need to get off my soap box on that issue. In Scottsdale back in the 50's and 60's had the motto "Horses get the right of way in Scottsdale."

Arizona was once the place people with health issues were told to move to if a dry climate is what they needed to improve their health. Since you have already lived in to areas you undoubtedly know that. Welcome if you do decide to come back.