After living in Michigan for 40 years I moved to Louisiana a year ago and I have had allergic symptoms ever since! Post-nasal drip, congestion, tickly cough worst at night, allergic “shiners”, and there have even been instances when I’ve felt like I was having some asthmatic symptoms. I’m taking Singulair, Claritin, Flonase, and a 12-hour decongestant daily and STILL Have symptoms. They seem to be related to something both inside and outside my home though in the springtime it’s absolutely worse when I leave my home. I’ve been told a local flowering bush called “logustrum” is a common culprit. I can honestly tell you that it’s wearing me out.

Comment by Stacy — November 9, 2007 @ 4:42 pm

With regards to your rhetorical question about whether or not Louisiana is allergy-free, I can assure you that almost everybody I’ve talked to about my symptoms has said that Louisiana’s climate is notorious for causing allergies! Scratch Louisiana off the allergy-free list!

Comment by Stacy — November 9, 2007 @ 4:45 pm

I lived in Virginia and West Virginal for 10 years. WV and the Western part of Virginia are the worst for my allergies. Richmond and further east towards Norfolk seem to be better, maybe something to due with trees, breezes and mountains. My allergies are mostly trees, grass, mold/mildew and pretty much everything else. I lived in NC, Charlotte and Greensboro and they were bad as well. I live in Jacksonville now near the beaches and this location with its strong breeze seems to be the best that I’ve experienced other than Richmond, VA.

What treatments have worked for me? I found that I respond best to Claritin 3-4 times a day along with Nasonex/Rhinocort 2x daily. I also like to use nasalcrom 3 or four times as well. You could say I have bad allergies:) My symptoms were strange. I got nose ache and headaches daily. I saw nuerologists/Allergists/ENT’s and various other doctors for a resolution. I’m talking about spending thousands of dollars trying to track this down. Who found it??? ME,crazy huh! I tried shots and they aren’t working or they have not had enough time to work. My advice to everyone is to try a combination of claritin/Allegra and Nasocort/Rhinocort and the Nasalcrom. You will figure out eventually what works for you and with allergies that’s key! This is just my personal experience, I’m not a doctor so make sure you talk to your physician, but sometimes you have to push. These guys are just like you and me, guessing…scary huh? Good Luck

Comment by Keith — November 24, 2007 @ 9:51 pm

Does anyone know about Idaho? I have asthmatic kids, we currently live in Texas. However, I have a job opportunity in Boise. Does anyone know how Boise folks fair regarding Allergies?

Comment by mike — November 28, 2007 @ 9:42 am

I can vouch for Maine and RI. I’ve lived in both for at least 4 years each. Miserable allergies. Down south I feel good… I may consider moving there. Just my case of course.

Comment by Eric Dimbleby — January 24, 2008 @ 2:41 pm

The “2006 Spring Allergy Capital Rankings” by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America listed Hartford,Connecticut #1 in its list of the 100 most challenging places to live with spring allergies. www.AllergyCapitals.com

I have tree, grass, and mold allergies. I live in Wisconsin and as soon as the trees bloom, I’m indoors until frost. The trees, followed by grasses, have been blooming earlier every year and are now starting in late April. As soon as the snow melts, mold is present in the dead grasses and leaves that were under the snow all winter. In late summer, ragweed is a killer until frost. At that point, you have a couple weeks until it’s freezing cold.

I was considering moving to New Mexico, but posts have led me to reconsider. I can’t touch a juniper bush without breaking out, so I imagine juniper pollen would make life miserable there.

I’m now researching Colorado (other than Denver), Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Arizona (I know Phoenix and Mesa are bad, but what about Flagstaff?)

Has anyone lived in Ireland? What is the allergy situation there for tree and grass pollen and mold?

I encourage people giving allergy reports to indicate what their allergies are. An area with little pollen might be very bad for mold and vice versa. Unless we know what you’re allergic to, saying an area is good or bad is meaningless.

Comment by Tara Moon — March 2, 2008 @ 7:07 pm

Delaware has trees, dust, air pollution however if you are near the beach it is beneficial for asthhmatics and allergy sufferers.

Boise, Idaho has cleaner air quality but many trees. Beautiful environment.

Comment by Glenda Stewart — March 3, 2008 @ 8:05 pm

I live in the Hampton Roads area and I can tell you that this area is not any better for allergies. Maybe close the beach is better. If I lived oceanfront, I might do well. But I currently take four allergy shots weekly, and I am on two inhalers, one nasal spray, an antihistamine, a decongestant and Singular. At this moment, I have a case of bronchitis due to a sinus infection because it was ‘windy’ on Monday and Tuesday and I did not wear a face mask outside. I am looking to move anywhere but here. I did not have asthma, allergies or sinus infections until I moved to Tidewater.

Comment by Ashley — March 7, 2008 @ 1:40 pm

Hampton Roads is in Norfolk, Virginia, for anyone who might not know the area.

Comment by Ashley — March 7, 2008 @ 1:42 pm

Flagstaff is not bad, nice clear air—and my allergies/asthma are bad here in Scottsdale; However,I have only been there in November. M friends have lived there for years, and report their allergies are not bad there, but there are a lot of fir/pine trees. The higher altitude and distance from the city helps tremendously- it is not a congested area. You might also check Prescott, or the areas north of Phoenix and Scottsdale. The higher altitudes here are generally better because of the altitude itself, and they are less populated, less polluted.

Comment by Courtney — March 7, 2008 @ 2:11 pm

I moved to Phoenix,AZ, from Louisville,Ky. I’ve always heard what a great place Az is for drier air (not in monsoon season) and for respiratory problems (not according to the brown air pollution). But, hey the shopping is great, and I’ve found a good allergist and will be starting my allergy shots, in a couple of weeks. And while at the allergists office, a 21y/o came in for his on going treatment. He was born in Phoenix, and is now in school in Flaggstaff. He did not develope allergies until moving there for school.So, Flaggstaff is out too.

Comment by Gloria — March 23, 2008 @ 5:31 pm

Scratch Delaware off your list! I moved to Delaware in 2004 and never had any allergies beforehand. By 2005 I was breaking out in hives covering my entire body almost daily, no matter the season… Come to find out, in that year, I developed allergies to Mold, Dust, Dust Mites, Various food items (including, and especially APPLES!), Trees, Grass, molds, etc. And Delaware has plenty of Dust,tons of trees, various grasses and horrible air pollution.

Comment by Kelli — April 5, 2008 @ 11:35 pm

Hi,

I am looking for solutions for relief from my allergies.
I live in S. Fla. I have had shots, and tried every kind of nasal spray available. The sprays gives me headaches and sore throats. The antihistamines dry me up so much that I don’t drain and get sinus infections. I tried Singulair once and thought it was going to be my answer, but I ended up with a sinus infection. Could have been a coincidence, but it says on the lable it can cause sinusitis.
I am working today but in a fog, cold as heck, sneezing and blowing and could just sleep around the clock from the fatigue of it.
I had always thought living WEST was what doctors told us to do, so I was surprised at the Arizona comments.

Comment by Deborah — April 17, 2008 @ 9:50 am

Like Ashley wrote, Louisiana is DEFINITELY not allergy free. My daughter’s pediatrician recently told me that a whopping 80% of people in the state suffer from allergies. Of course, the Hurricane didn’t help matters and contributed greatly to mold, etc. in the metro New Orleans, southeastern, part of the state area. In the spring/summer, cars, etc. get covered in pollen, so much so that I have to hose off mine each morning. As a life long Louisiana resident, it seems like each year more and more of my friends and family members complain of allergy related symptoms. Just about everyone I know is on Zyrtec, though unfortunately, it doesn’t work for me.

Comment by Dianna in Louisiana — May 3, 2008 @ 10:13 am

Hi Deborah,
I use the Grossan Hydro Pulse Nasal & Sinus Irrigation System. It’s like a “water pik” for your nose. It’s available at many websites. I used to get several sinus infections every year. Not any more since I’ve been using my Hydro Pulse (since 2005). Good luck.

Comment by Valerie — May 5, 2008 @ 3:52 pm

Hey guys,
I was searching for some answers, thinking I was one in perhaps a million or two who is having such a torid time with allergies and allergy symptoms. I live in New York, outside the city, an hour’s drive or so and this year has been the worst for me.

I’ve had near fainting spells, choking episodes, heavy nasal congestion and episodic dry coughing spells. I’ve seen a host of specailists, from neurologist to allergist to now an ENT later today.
I was hoping to move to an area out West perhaps Phoenix, but after today’s comments, now I am really troubled. Are there any allergy free states out there–can anyone help!!

Comment by Peter — May 7, 2008 @ 3:06 am

i dont know but im thinking puerto rico

Comment by miguel lebron — May 8, 2008 @ 3:24 am

Cross Ireland, Louisiana, Texas, Maine, NH, and almost every place you mention. I have just returned from Ireland with a terrible chronic bronchitis, live in Texas where I can’t get rid of it and it’s getting worse. Lived in Maine and NH and I can tell you it’s just as bad there. Plus you have the ultimate in cold weather, making it impossible to avoid a flu every year and just when you’re getting better, it’s spring….achoo. I think we have to boost our immune systems real fast because our planet is full of allergens from pollution (caused by people and natural disasters) to plant matter. Not to mention that with world travel, people are bringing their germs to other places. Remember the AZTECS? Where do you think they went…and why?

Comment by Beverly — May 13, 2008 @ 2:27 pm

live in greenville sc. and there is no one here who does not have allergies, found out no 1 place for allergies,

Comment by dhazen — May 23, 2008 @ 8:37 pm

you can scratch Delaware off your list .I’ve lived here for 52 yrs. had allergies all my life.I found this sight and was hoping someone could tell me a great allergy free place to live. Maybe there isn’t any.

Comment by Bonnie — May 28, 2008 @ 9:47 am

Got Yo tell everyone that Hawaii is the one place to live for those suffering from tree, grass and weed pollens. We spent 7 years there on a military tour and as soon as we moved back to Oklahoma all my sinus problems have returned. I think the greatest advantage to living in Hawaii,besides living in paradise, is that the yearly average temperature of 80 degrees kept my sinuses stable. We lived in a house with no air conditioning and always enjoyed the Hawaii breezes.
I know that going from hot air to cold air throughout the day flares up my sinusitis, so finding a place where the temperature all year round is stable is the best place to go. I would go back to live for the sake of a healthy life but it is much too expensive.

Comment by Susan — May 31, 2008 @ 3:29 pm

Everyone, I’ve found the one place that is completely allergy free — It’s a bubble. I now live in it and it’s great. It has a diameter of 6 feet and I have extensions for my appendages when needed. All of my oxygen comes from tanks so it is clean and pure. My food is passed through a decontamination chamber so there are no chances of allergies also passing through. It’s a wonderful feeling to have clear sinuses and helps me get through all the loneliness living in a bubble. It’s a little expensive and no insurance company will touch it, but it’s worth it. I can now live in any place I desire (even the moon) and not suffer even in the slightest from allergies.

End the suffering and purchase your own bubble today.

Comment by Aaron — June 3, 2008 @ 7:53 pm

Just a comment on the “nose pik” - they use Neti Pots for nose cleaning in Eugene - little pots that they add salt to or hydrogen peroxide with water and flush it (by gravity) from one nostril to the other. I actually used a nasal spray dispenser with hyrdogen Proxide to clean mine and it seems to clean out the mucus in it. As for this section - I have been to Providence RI and of course with the ocean breezes - I breathed quite well with no problems in June of 2007 - tree pollen and ragweed do it to me.

Comment by Julie Brookfield — June 3, 2008 @ 8:35 pm

Just an FYI, we live in Portland, OR and it is so bad for allergies here. We are considering moving north to Seattle where it is a little better as Seattle is surrounded by water. Does anyone know how Austin Texas or Southern Ca are?

Comment by Ashley — July 3, 2008 @ 8:04 am

I Live in Wilmington Delaware and this spring and summer have been the WORST for me since the summer of 1990. So, NO Delaware is NOT allergy free it is horrible here and I’m seriously thinking about moving because between doctors and prescriptions I am in constant pain. I was been and raised here and it’s not getting any better allergy wise

Comment by Lisa — July 3, 2008 @ 9:37 am

I can speak from experience, that Maine is NOT allergy free. I have 4 types of grass allergies, and after moving from Oklahoma in 2001, to Maine, I suffered the worse allergic reaction I ever had, from Spring through Summer.

I lived in Connecticut for a brief period and suffered no allergies there, through the spring.

But, when moving back from the Northeast, to Oklahoma in 2007, my allergies have become unbearable. MUCH worse then when I left in 2001.

Comment by John Allred — July 3, 2008 @ 9:37 pm

So, it sounds like Vermont and West Virginia are the place to be, and that Boise is not too bad either.

Comment by John Allred — July 3, 2008 @ 9:44 pm

I am terribly allergic to mold, dust, trees, grass, fallweeds, and ragweed. However, I have been taking shots once a month for thirty years. So the shots have me pretty much under control living in New Jersey. However, I would not be in control moving anywhere further south where there would be even more mold from the humidity, and where there would be new trees and grasses to which I would likely develop allergies. My biggest problem is mold, and, relative to places below New Jersey, there is not a lot of mold here. Whatever mold there is, my shots pretty much keep me under control. Drier places like Arizona caused me to get nose bleeds from the dryness, and then subsequent sinus infections. (I have heard that Vegas, Denver, and Salt Lake are the same). So I find that the New York/New Jersey area is manageable. You might need a year or shots once a week, later every other week, later every three weeks…. but eventually it tapers off to shots once a month, (which I will do forever to maintain control in keeping up my immunity).

Comment by Andy — July 19, 2008 @ 7:19 am

What about San Diego, CA? As I age my allergies change and I am not happy about it! However, the other option is to be NOT here. Ok. So I am here. I live in the mountains of Maryland. It is nice, but I am wondering if I need to move as I get older?

Is less humid better for breathing or less trees, grass etc?

Comment by Linda — July 23, 2008 @ 9:08 am

I was reading on another website that HI is not allergy free. Several
people posted that the pollution was causing them a lot of suffering. So,
you might want to check into HI a little closer.
From what I am reading, Boise sounds pretty allergy free compared to
the rest of the regions. Anyone know what Moscow, Idaho is like?

Comment by Shauna — August 28, 2008 @ 9:24 am

I am a retiree who relocated from Virginia to the Eastern Shore, MD three years ago. In VA I had allergies that led to severe sinus infections but here it is far worse as I have had bronchitis and asthma that has become life threatening at times. I checked out this site to see where to go next. Difficult and expensive as it is to move again I would if I knew where to go…sounds like there is no where anymore where you can breathe healthily. But I appreciate the information as I saw places here I was considering.

Comment by Anah — September 3, 2008 @ 9:06 pm

Hello fellow-sufferers,
No such thing as an allergy-free state or country - but some have lower pollen seasons than others.
Best to watch pollen.com for forecasts as well airnow.gov for air pollution readings. Have been to hell and back and survived my allergies. Air filtration - hepa filters, electronic filters — UV light, air-conditioning, ceramic tiles, wood floors and/or tiled floors.

Either live 5,000 ft above sea-level or at sea-level (nothing in-between) - If it all gets too much take to the sea in a boat for relief - away from the land.

Comment by Ve — September 9, 2008 @ 2:54 am

I moved to San Antonio, Texas in August of 2007. Starting in March of 2008, I have had the worst allergies and have now been diagnosed with Asthma brought on by the allergens here. I was hospital twice in less than 30 days, due to severe respiratory problems. I have never been so sick in my life. I will graduate in January of 2009 from nursing school and intend to move. I pray there is a city out there where I can breathe again.

Comment by April — October 17, 2008 @ 1:47 pm

I live in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. The best place here to live would be up in the Park City/Heber Valley area. Those of us on the West side of the Wasatch Front Mountains seem to have worse allergies due to the inversions that happen with being surrounded by mountains. I have an easier time breathing when I am up over the Wasatch Front on the East side. It is more expensive to live up in that area, but if you are looking for a bit of relief, I suggest there. Can’t wait until I can move my family and I up there!

Comment by Kari — November 18, 2008 @ 1:14 pm

I lived in southeast Idaho (near Idaho Falls) for a little while. My allergies were terrible. But then, the only places I haven’t suffered from allergies were all right along the coast.

Comment by Laura — November 24, 2008 @ 9:08 pm