The desert southwest has always been the place for people with arthritis looking to escape the humidity and dampness. I haven't lived there, but am told the dry heat is more tolerable that a humid heat.

If possible, visit there for a week or two and see what you think about the area and how it makes you feel physically.

<<<If possible, visit there for a week or two>>>

In different seasons! Phoenix in February is quite a different animal than Phoenix in July

Flagstaff doesn't get as hot as Phoenix or Tucson. Otherwise, take a look at Albuquerque and northern New Mexico. If your medical conditions require regular doctor visit, I would pick Albuquerque over a smaller town north of there.

Lee Ann

You don't even have to leave your state. Move to one of the tri-cities. Pasco is on the dry side where it rarely snows.
If you wanted to come to Oregon, anyplace east of Bend would work. High desert is what you need. You don't have to go to Arizona to get it.
Visit Yuma Arizona sometime in February but leave before May 15.

What about Montana or Colorado?

Does cold impact you as well? That will certainly narrow down choices, even if they are low humidity states.

Flagstaff gets very cold and quite a bit of snow, as does most of the Rocky Mountain States.

As Lee Ann mentioned, Albuquerque and it's immediate surrounding areas could work out very well for you. Cost of housing and general living is pretty reasonable.

Pendleton OR is wonderful and dry! We have arts, museums, good restaurants. Really it's practically perfect!

Ohhh, Thanks Everyone....Yes, Cold bothers me also and the snow, that's why I did not concider east of my state, unless there is something about the Pasco and the Tri-Cities I don't know about? The one that wrote about Oregon do you have arthritis? If so, what part of Oregon, do you do well there? I have never really visit there yet in winter months. I have gone east in the summer time in Eastern Washington after it's been hot over there for awhile because the humidy is low in mid-summer In Eastern Washington and I will do alright, soon as it rain's and the humidity comes... I am down for the count! Oh and yes also I have to see Doctor's on a regular base's. Somebody mentioned Alburquerque for medical? and cost of living reasonable.
Thank you for that one do you live over there? I will check that out on accuweather.com
Appreciate all advice.
Health and Happiness to all.

Lee Ann and I both live in the Albuquerque area.

Here is a comparison of Pasco WA and Bend OR.
http://www.clrsearch.com/Pasco_Demographics/WA/Weather-Forecast-Temperature-Precipitation?compare=97701
You will have to visit a few places in the times of the year that you have the worst problem with your arthritis.
Death Valley has very low humidity but I wouldn't want to spend even a month there.
I learned about the dry side of Washington and Oregon when I went to the World's Fair in Spokane in 1972.
I live 50 miles south of Bend. I only snowshoed around my house twice this winter.

Possibly Chile has some nice dry yet pleasantly cool locations. I would love to live by the sea, enjoy the fish dinner and learn a new language.

San Diego, CA has the most lovely weather I've ever experienced. It's a very expensive place to live.

If you move to a dry desert environment, your pain level will decrease and your mobility will improve. Contact the Arthritis Foundation in Phoenix or Tucson for more help with this decision.
It would be a life changer for you.

Ask your doctor about an exercise regimen that will perhaps help you. Why think about relocation when physical therapy could help you?

If you look at the Southwest beaware that becasue of all the yards, pools and agircultual irrigation the humidty levels in Phoenix and Tuscon are more than they were in years past. You could lookat the Eastern Sierra region of CA, from Bishop south to Ridgecrest. Some cold, raely much snow.

I have a distant relative who moved to Las Vegas for health reasons. She said, some winters - about 2 months a year - may be bad, the rest of the year is great.

Keep in mind, health insurance varies from state to state, I think this was an issue for her.

@ tomfuller:

Have you been to Pasco, WA during the past forty years???

The OP could fulfill the horse-related part of her future visions merely roaming around her would-be new town in broad daylight. (nobody should even go there after dark)

And I'm sure the present economy has Pasco just thriving.

Yes I drove through Pasco on the way to and on the way back from Spokane 5/15 and 6/2.
Drew Bledsoe (ex-QB) bought a winery in Walla-Walla but chooses to live in Bend.
I do remember spending a night in Milton-Freewater Oregon in 2006.
I do like the Juniper High Desert east of Bend better than eastern Washington.

Hello Everyone Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to put in your advice I have been looking forward to coming back here since I post to see what others are saying.
@ Gretchen I have done and just did another round of physical therapy again. I do accupuncture have a tens unit -swimming the doctors really suggest for people with severe arthritis. Someday"s if the humidy so high I can't even hardly move. I even went Gluten-Free 2- and half years ago, when they did a blood test and told me I was allergic to wheat.
I lost weight from elimanating wheat, but do not have a weight problem.
This humidy I am done with, the Doc's do tell me all the time to re-locate.
@ dayenu Thanks about the insurance tip.
@Happytrvir- I like the way you talk, Sounds like Heaven!...pain-free...Awwww!
Wish you Good Health and Happiness!

@Boom_Boom... Good point never even thought of that.
So much to think about, Where are the Arthritic People who moved to the warmer places with low humidity?....Lol
I want to hear their testimony"s...I really appreciate all of you!

Since you have done the good things, I suggest you go "somewhere" for 6 months and see if it helps. I have more often heard of people moving to drier climes for ashthma and breathing problems than arthritis.

Gretchen your right, I would love to be able to do that some where in the mid- winter months where the humidity is low. Someday Soon! Pacific Northwest is so beautiful but my body just can't take it anymore. My quality of life is not good due to this weather. When the humidity drops to 45 and lower I do alright, but just not enough of those days here for me. It's been warm here but the "humidity to high," for me." Thank you for you suggestions. Someone posted something about the Arthritis Foundation in the state of chioce, Thank you for that @Happytrvir I am going to check that out to see where they go, and how their doing since they re-located. For I can not take any of the TNF inhibitors they have out there for "my type of arthritis".
Thank you again!
Wishing you Good Health & Happiness.

My mother's arthritis is helped so much by what she eats. She is gobbling down blueberries by the pint! She says they help her immensely. She took her first walk on the beach today on the Cape. She swears it's the blueberries doing their magic on her pain. She has Osteo and R.A.

angels: My Mother spent some time up in the Pacific NW and her joints would swell to 3 times their normal size. She couldn't open bottles or do other simple things, so I fully understand where you're coming from.

We moved her to Southern California and she did fine. Her joints became normal size and she could do most normal things again, so there's hope for you!

The desert SW is a good suggestion. It does get cold in the winter, tho, and sometimes there's heavy snow. You might want to look into more southern cities, like Tucson.

Las Vegas is a good suggestion, and there's also nearby Henderson, Nevada.

Southern California is also good although expensive in comparison to the other places.

Good luck in your hunt and take care of yourself!

@Bowsprit ...I am running out to buy blueberries tomorrow! I have Blueberry bushes in my back yard but not ripe yet, need more sun for that...lol..
I usually have fruit in the morning for breakfast with Greek yogart or oatmeal and almonds and fruit for lunch for now on I will make the main fruit I eat will be just Blueberries for awhile, I will definitly give it a try. Thank you!

@ easytraveler... Yep, That is exacally how it is someday's, the simple little task in life some take for granted for me are so hard, what you mentioned even just a simple little walk or getting out of a chair...the swelling the never ending pain... ugh!
Thank you for your understanding!!! I am so glad she is doing better! I am sure her world is like a new beginning and you helped make that possible for her. That's a great testimony!
I have been hearing lately Southern California good place to live but expensive...Shoot!
I love some parts of California, too!! Maybe I could find a situation of huge house shared living but like a separate living quarters... I use to have a house like that in Washington, and I rented out my down stairs they had their own Entry,kitchen,livingroom,bedroom,bathroom, but they had to share the laundryroom with me..Something like that would be nice and it will be located in a nice safe neighborhood and land in my lap...lol... (dreaming). As you can tell I am not looking to buy this time.
Las Vegas and Desert SW, I have heard a few times now also along with Albuquerque Mexico I never heard of Henderson, Nevada I will check it out, but these are places I would love to be educated on as in where the safer places are to live expensives and medical care facilities I here the weather very nice on bodies with arthritis.
To learn about these places is usually best from the ones whom live there...?
Thanks Again Easytraveler for your advice-concern and you take care also, very nice of everyone to take time out to write. I really-really do appreciate it.
I Wish you Great Health and Happiness!

Has your rheumatologist considered whether this could be rheumatoid arthritis?

Gretchen: If he hasn't, she definitely needs a new doctor! There are a wide range of meds out there for RA now. Anyway, chronic pain is awful to deal with.

I agree. My sister is enduring it. A pain specialist would also be in the mix perhaps. I don't think relocation is the answer.

I disagree. The OP should not rule out relocation in order to get a more livable life.

The rain in Spain falls mainly in the Pacific Northwest. That humidity is a real killer for people with arthritis.

I don't disagree, and apparently it isn't a family but a single. I would still test it for myself by a prolonged stay rather than rely on a travel board anecdote. I would also rather have an answer to my medical problem first. And depending on my community contacts and family, I would consider that before moving to an entirely strange place.
I deal with arthritis in a humid southeast. And don't really notice a difference.

Travel to the desert for a weekend or more and see how you feel. For a family
member, there was an obvious reduction in pain in a few days. The area has it's negatives, but being in less pain is huge positive. Pain returns in humidity including CA.

A lot of people who live in and around Tucson retreat to the White Mountains to escape the worst of the summer's heat, so that's another thought, to divide your time between two still-nearby locations.

Hi Guys been gone for a while and notice more posts- @ Gretchen ..You mention you live in the southeast with arthritis and don't really notice the difference,..difference in what? Then you ask me if my doctor concidered if it was R.A...? What again?
I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia with Chronic pain... A.S .is a lot like R.A. Crippling painful arthritis, My spine is fusing together and my immune system is attacking itself . when it comes to the pain side of things and the meds they use for it. there Pretty much the same meds used but, There is no cure! As I stated I can not take the TNF inhibitors they have out there for my type of arthritis. because of my cancer history, and being TB dormant. I do and try a lot of natrual path type healing as I mentioned in other post, try to keep moving and take my mind else where from the pain as much as I can.
I have been warmer places less humidity and felt like a kid,(as in moving better with less pain) so i know I do better. I also have seen pain specialist. and I do need to try a place out in mid-winter...as you mentioned and great advice also, to see what I think... I did not come her for antedotes as you stated...I think you getting off track for why I came here...
" I came here to here people's testimonies whom have relocated living with arthritis that "moved to the lower humiity places"... because my mind is made up on re-location! Which I am glad I did, because I got great answers from others about their relatives who are doing better from re-locating! to such low humidity places. I also wanted to know where these places were and I had a lot of great answers here from people whom live in different areas with the climate I am looking for, which was my objective ..
So Thank you Everyone who responed and cared I got a lot of great Ideas, My Rhematologist also agrees with a lot of the areas mentioned here for relocation... Which was my purpose!. Thank you
Take Care ..I wish you Good Health and Happiness!

To Angelsrnx2u...I was so glad to read your comments etc, not glad that you suffer from the conditions that you have, but I thought I was reading about me in your first post. I too have some of what you mentioned, as well as other conditions, and are also in pain alot with limited mobility. I started going online today to search for "where to move with fibromyalgia" etc and came up with others in the same situation. I live on the east coast and can't take the summer humidity nor can I deal with the cold, snow or shoveling. From what I gather, it would make sense to relocate to a low humidity state/city, though it takes some time to really research an area, that you would find suitable to live. Everyone is different and looks for different things, depending on your situation. I will continue to research, as it is not only too expensive to live here, I have a very poor quality of life because of my physical condition. I love my neighbors, grew up in this town but if there is another climate that would make living a lot more bearable....I think I really need to consider it. I wouldn't want to move to a location that the climate was great, but everything else was a negative. So, on I go to hear what people have to say and continue researching. Thanks for everyone's input.

I have to agree with Bowspirit (see earlier post). San Diego, Ca is the best weather for arthritis. My husband suffers from it and we have a 2nd home located in inland San Diego (not the coastal area) and he always feels so much better when we visit SD. The temp never changes more than 10-15 degrees - usually stays around 70-85 degrees for most of the year. Low humidity.
Great town...lots to do...very handicapped accessible.
The only down side is rents are expensive...you didn't mention if you want to buy or rent.

Good luck to you in your search for great health and happiness!

p.s. we are going to be putting our rental on the market next year...its a large house that you could share with others..if you are interested, let me know!

Friend who had the debillitating arthritis you now describe as your conditions moved to Las Vegas.

Hi and thank you for your advice. My daughter has lived in SD for about 4 years now and absolutely loves it, except that it is expensive. She has a decent job and apt, so I think she is doing well. I haven't been out there myself, though she has come back to the eastcoast a few times to visit, including for my recent brain surgery. I would love to get out there for a few weeks and see what it is like. Anyone know what the property taxes are like out there? I pay around $9000 on Long Isd, NY. Unless I rent out part of my home, I can't do it on my own. My other daughter is graduating from college soon and needs to find a job in teaching. She also was contemplating the idea of moving out of state, though probably to SC, which would be terrible for my health. I also have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with anxiety, so I have been putting off, allowing the thought of moving, be no more than a thought. My son is moving back home in a few months and he said he would help out financially,and he also is open to moving,so I would not be going alone. But the issue is more than financial, it is my quality of life that I need to address. I don't cherish being away from my neurosurgeon and other familiar people/things, I would have to make sure I had access to very good medical care wherever I setteled. So, there is a lot to think about and appreciate your input all....thankyou much.

This is a great blog, my husband and I are actually looking into relocating to a place with low humidity and warmer temps, I have RA and we currently live in MI, I can't handle the cold winters or the humid summers any longer. Our thoughts have been to move to San Diego, but the other suggestions are great.
To tennislvr1 I am wondering if you are still have a rental in SD that would be for rent anytime soon, we would love to possibly rent it??

I live in MT and have travelled to Id, ND and SD, WA, OR. and many other states but with allerigies, COPD, arthritis, and Fibromyalgia it seems the only place I was comfortable was in Yakima WA. until the pollen started or the heat in the summer. But no arthritic pain or Fibromyalgia.

I did consider the Dallas, Kennewick, or Moses Lake but will have to visit each of them. Perhaps, one of you already have some idea of what to expect.

For arthritis, it's probably best to find a dry, desert-like climate and stay away from places with high humidity.

Another area to look at is the "Inland Empire", i.e., San Bernardino County, which is directly east of Los Angeles, and was one of the hardest hit during the recent housing bust. Bad for many people there but maybe good for you in that you may find more reasonable prices for renting part of a home or buying. Very hot, so airconditioning definitely a must.

Another consideration is to be close to good health care. Whereas it might be good to be out in the middle of the dry desert, it may place you far away from good medical care; so, look at what is available nearby in terms of your own health needs.

Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback easytraveler. Excellent medical care is my primary reason for staying where I am but now the pain and breathing is getting to be unbearable. The last thing I want is to become a drug addict with all the pain meds offered. I'd rather move.

I did think of San Bernadino and may look into it some more. TY

You're quite welcome, Mewatis.

You have all my sympathy as I know what you mean by having pain and trying to stay away from the drugs.

Just the other day, one of my friends was telling me how the doctors put her mother on one medication that did its job in getting rid of a certain condition; however, the side effects caused even more harm and greater harm. So, staying away from as many drugs as possible is a good idea.

If you're looking in to San Bernardino County as a possibility, then you might in interested in not just the local hospitals but also in those in Los Angeles such as the hospitals associated with the universities, UCLA and USC, as well as the "private" hospitals such as Cedars-Sinai. Many of these hospitals are excellent and have their own outstanding specializations. I don't know how transferrable your benefits are, but you might want to look into these hospitals and which one would work best for your medical problems.

Here's a list of senior services in San Bernardino County:

http://www.sbmed.com/patient-information/senior-services-and-transportation/

Here's another kind of list for LA:
http://www.la4seniors.com/independent.htm

Generally, I've heard, the community elder and disabled services are quite good in most of California, although I've never used them myself.

Good luck! Supporting you all from afar!

A lot depends on your budget, whether you are renting or buying. I live in North San Diego County (Inland) and the weather here would be perfect for you. But it is more expensive than other places although home costs have dropped considerably. You might want to look at Temecula or Murietta, CA in South Riverside County. They just opened a branch of Loma Linda in Murietta and you are about an hour away from top healthcare groups in San Diego. Temecula can be a little warm in the summer but overall nice weather.

I am not sure I would consider San Bernardino (at least the city itself) but there are areas around it like Redlands which are nice. However I do think Redlands could be expensive also. Loma Linda University/Health Care is there and they are excellent. Another areas in the Inland Empire are Rancho Cucamonga and Upland which are nice towns but the whole Inland Empire is smoggy in the summer (used to live there one reason I moved to No. San Diego).

I know you want to rule out Arizona but you might still want to consider it. Tucson is a little cooler than Phoenix. You can get a home in either area at a great bargain and there is Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and U of A Medical in Tucson. Yes there are about 3 really hot months but the rest of the year is nice. I know what you mean about air conditioning as most of my family lives in Arizona and I'm not a fan of it when I'm there. But I think you would need air conditioning in the Inland Empire area of LA, Las Vegas, parts of San Diego and probably in Albuquerque in the summer. I don't have air conditioning in my house but there is always a month or two of the year that I wish I did.

I wrote "I think" you'd need air conditioning. No thinking about it for Las Vegas and the Inland Empire area of LA!!! Most people in my part of San Diego have AC and like I said, I wished I did. I do have a window AC in my bedroom and wouldn't be able to sleep without it during some of those hot summer days. The closer you are to the beach, the cooler it is but then the humidity would be a little higher and of course it's much more expensive!

Denver and the eastern plains have very low humidity year around but we also have winter. Although the temperature is very pleasant year around, we do get some cold weather but rarely below zero. The humidity is often single digits especially in the summer.

Thanking each of you for your input. Are there any of these places where I wouldn't need AC, I get migraines from the chemicals used to cool the air in them. With Alzheimers I forgot the name of the stuff so hope you know what I mean.

Generally speaking you can avoid AC in Denver if you pick your place well, have a whole house fan system, and a willingness to manager your house. For our first 25 years we did not have an AC but only recently installed it because we were planning on selling and AC is now expected in most homes. Even then we only used it a couple weeks per years. AC is primarily used to cool and not to remove humidity as it is in the mid west.

Just saw you comment about chemicals in cool air. It has to be another cause since there are absolutely no chemicals induced into cool air by AC. It is your house air that is being cooled or blown over the coils so the "chemicals" - if any - are coming from your house and not the AC. It is no different from your refrig. If AC was inducing chemicals into the air, your refrig would be doing the same thing AND it is not.

@NorthwestMale

HAHAHA Have YOU been to the Tri-Cities in the last 40 years? The economy is GREAT we are more then just THRIVING! Even with all the government layoffs there are still plenty of jobs. I work in retail and our sales keep going up and up and up. There are tons of new houses and new stores opening all the time. Pasco is very safe. As with all cities there are parts that are not so great. Pasco is no exception but I would say its safer then any spot in Seattle or Spokane. There are so many cities and town in the Tri City area that you cant narrow it down to just one city. If you are looking to retire I would recommend Richland as it is an older city, its quieter and has older residents. There are a lot of younger families and newer houses in Pasco. I love living here and couldnt think of anywhere that has all that the Tri Cities has to offer. Its not humid and as it does snow we only see it for about 3 days in the wintertime.

Seconding fmpden. Unless you take an ice pick and puch a hole in a cooling coil, there is no way an ac can introduce chemicals into your house.

Cheap room air conditioners recirculate your room air, which might cause a problem. more expensive window units can bring in fresh air.

Didn't real all 50 responses - but had an Uncle who lived in Yakima because they have a very dry climate.