Best states to live in for people with MS - My MSAA Community

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Best states to live in for people with MS

mcknighm profile image
34 Replies

Can anyone recommend a state that is good for people living with MS ??

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mcknighm profile image
mcknighm
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34 Replies
Jer29-11 profile image
Jer29-11

I’d like to know too! I’m in southern California. It’s nice most of the year, but the heat in the summer is brutal. This last summer was hard for me and we’ve been considering moving, but where... 🤷‍♀️

ahrogers profile image
ahrogers in reply to Jer29-11

My husband and I were both born and raised in Orange County CA. We knew we wanted out of CA but had a hard time deciding where to move. Every option had to include access to an MS specialist. We ended up in the Carolinas and love it here. It does get humid in the summer and colder in the winter. I work inside so it doesn't bother me much. My husband works outside and has learned how to deal with it. He already had to deal with the heat in CA just not the humidity. For me my MS symptoms act up much faster when I am cold than when I am hot. Something I didn't realize living in CA where it didn't get this cold.

There are several things that go into deciding where the best place for you to live could be. Other than access to good healthcare there is weather, work, politics, schools, recreational activities, family, friends and some states do have their own disability programs. CA has state disability but the Carolinas do not. My employer provides short term and long term disability though so I am covered anyway.

Good luck mcknighm in your search!

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to ahrogers

Thanks for the info. My husband and I grew up and live in New York but when he retires we were just deciding where we would like to live. I’m on disability now. My family and parents are all in NY so we’re not moving right now. Our daughter is married and our son is in his last year of college. All I know it has to be a place that has good healthcare. Thanks so much. We were talking about Carolinas🤗

Jer29-11 profile image
Jer29-11 in reply to ahrogers

Living in CA, I never thought about the cold being rough on MS, lol. Thanks for the insight ❤️

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to Jer29-11

I know. It’s a hard decision. Yes, California is too hot😉

kwhompus profile image
kwhompus

a state of drunken mindlessness, but it doesn't last long

kdali profile image
kdali

I think wherever you can create a happy life, and for us that has been Indiana.

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to kdali

So true. Thanks.

mrsmike9 profile image
mrsmike9 in reply to kdali

I didn't know you were in Indiana! So am I! I'm in Fort Wayne.

Indiana is not my state of choice but there are several things in it's favor. Moderate weather, no hurricanes, only a rare few tornado threats, low cost of living, and if there's not a top of the line doctor/practice you want/need, it's not far away.

Yes, it's flat and boring except at the southern part but since it's so inexpensive to live here you can save up and travel places when the weather in other places are nice.

kdali profile image
kdali in reply to mrsmike9

Hey Neighbor!! 🥰 I’m a transplant! I still don’t know what a Hoosier is, but I like the people here. Best RN community I’ve ever worked with, and my husband’s coworkers are worth gold too. I think the medical community here is excellent. I’m a GA native, but I’ve lived in LA, SoCal, and Baltimore (I got broken into real snows there). The cost of living really threw me the first time I bought groceries...NO FOOD TAX? The cashier looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked 🤣 We moved to Carmel last year and couldn’t be happier, although I’m still getting use to all the roundabouts. The houses here still feel ridiculously massive to me 🤣 If you’re ever out this way, don’t forget about me, I’d love to visit with you! 🥰

mrsmike9 profile image
mrsmike9 in reply to kdali

I'm a transplant as well. I was born in Massachusetts, lived in Connecticut then my dad's job with GE moved us here. (Everyone but my dad were kicking and screaming!) I have one sister who moved back to Massachusetts. But her efficiency apartment is more per month than my house! No thanks!

My Chinese daughter(the one I posted a photo of with the cat) is going to IUPUI getting her Masters Degree. It's only a couple hours drive! If you're ever coming north, let me know!!

kdali profile image
kdali in reply to mrsmike9

Will do! 🥰

Kenu profile image
Kenu

I live in Pocatello Idaho and have enjoyed the quiet atmosphere here. Highs in the summer low nineties and winter lows in teens. No humidity and always a breeze. Have to enjoy the outdoors here, snow skiing ⛷, water skiing, great hunting and fabulous fishing 🎣. Yellowstone park is couple hours away, Jackson Hole Wyoming couple hours and Sun Valley! Big city of Salt Lake Utah 160 miles south and Boise Idaho 250 north. Love the small community of 50,000. Takes 10 minutes from one side of town to other in rush hour 😂 Low cost of living but as everywhere housing is getting tough unless you build. Meridian Idaho was a nice place to live and runs about 10 degrees warmer and less snow in town. Lots to due in Boise area. Enjoy your decision, lots to think about with kids and grandkids where to retire 👍🙏😉😜 Ken 🐾🐾🐾🐾

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to Kenu

thanks

greaterexp profile image
greaterexp

Are you looking for government services, treatment, or just a good climate? If it's climate, you might just "google" best climate states and see what else those states have to offer you. I wish you well with your decision.

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to greaterexp

I guess I’m looking for good climate. I don’t want to have to deal with snow anymore 🤗

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to greaterexp

thanks

Tazmanian profile image
Tazmanian

Good luck I wouldn't recommend NJ

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to Tazmanian

I don’t like NJ either 🥴

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to mcknighm

thanks

Iona60 profile image
Iona60

I found that the ideal climate for me was living in two locations. In the summer, we lived in our cabin on a ski mountain in NC, where the temps were usually in the 70s. The highest elevation gets the coolest summers. We'd rent it out all fall and winter to leaf peepers and skiers and return to our main home in north east Fl. The winters in NE Fl are mild. It seldom freezes and usually stays in the 80s until May. We did this for ten years.

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to Iona60

Nice 🤗

falalalala profile image
falalalala

For me it would be anywhere not too hot and humid.

That being said, my husband and I love North Carolina anyway.:)

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to falalalala

Thanks so much for this information 🤗

hairbrain4 profile image
hairbrain4

Moved here to Arkansas from southern CA with a short stop in Dallas TX. If you like city living with a touch of country the Dallas area is great. There are 4 seasons instead of 2. Very seldom is there any extreme winters or summers. It's cold in winter & a little humid in summer but with A/C it's easy to live with & there's no state taxes. Arkansas has more humidity & is at times hard to deal with but I don't want to live anywhere else. I live in a small town 2 hrs away from big hospitals & specialists but a lot of them come to town once a month.

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to hairbrain4

Thank you for this information too🤗

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm

Hmmm I’ve never been to Dallas. No state taxes is great🤗

Iona60 profile image
Iona60 in reply to mcknighm

Florida, Tennessee, and Washington state all have no state income tax.

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to Iona60

thanks😉

anaishunter profile image
anaishunter

just had the same question with the add'l request of where it's good to retire.

Northen California, by the coast has great weather for MS - from San Luis Obispo/Santa Cruz to Mendocino. I don't know about further North and Oregon.

The Coastal fog keeps the temperature always below 80 in the summer and the winter are mild.

But the cost of living....

I love the idea of a place for Summer and one for Winter.

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm in reply to anaishunter

👏🏽👏🏽

tiffortat profile image
tiffortat

North Carolina is absolutely amazing, but you will have snow. Great trails, waterfalls, perfect for gardeners and nature lovers. I recommend Charlotte or Raleigh/Durham for ethnic diversity. Asheville...not so much lol

mcknighm profile image
mcknighm

lol. Yes, I heard Raleigh/Durham is great. Yes, diversity is important 😉

Hi, McKnighm, Your MS story sounds a lot like mine. Relative to heat, best places to live with MS -- I think you will have to adjust, regardless of the location. NC has extreme heat and humidity during its summer months and that can be brutal. Of course, if you are also sensitive to extreme cold temps (as I am as well as to heat), NC has four distinct seasons which you might be accustomed to. My sister and I both have MS -- she is in NC and I am in FL -- both of us know our limitations and have to deal with the temperatures accordingly.

You have come a long way and I am sure you are an expert on what works and what does not for symptom management. I wish you the very best -- let's keep in touch!

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