Where to Live with Fibromyalgia
As I neared the end of college I had a choice to make about where I wanted to live. This would obviously drive what jobs I would apply to, but I knew it might also effect my fibromyalgia. I graduated seven years ago and can now say I’ve lived over a year of my adult life in all the major types of places: in the heart of a city, in the suburbs, in the country/small town (population under 10,000), and in a medium size town/college town (population ~125,000). While each area has its pros and cons, I must say that I do have a favorite. It seems to be the best fit for my fibromyalgia, which improves my quality life all the way around.
In the country/a small town you can enjoy a slower pace of life, easy access to nature, quick travel times to local resources, free parking in larger parking spots, quieter environment and usually, a lower cost of living, higher air quality (less pollution) and traffic is easy to drive in. There is also a wonderful feeling of community where you can easily get to know people well and they can you – possibly offering their help and support. The downsides are less retail choices (could be hard to find that unique item that may help your fibromyalgia), community members may know all about you even if you’ve never met, fewer transportation options (public or taxis), it could be harder to find others who are similar situations as you and there are less health care choices. Medical specialists may not be near and often times driving to the nearest biggest city may be needed.
In a city there is good access to healthcare, support groups are easier to find, library systems offer large selections, there are many restaurant and entertainment choices, public transportation options, many public services, no yard to maintain (usually), longer business hours and a greater acceptance of diversity. The downsides are that it is a noisier environment, parking is difficult and often costs money, you may need to walk to a location, air quality is worse, you’re surrounded by fast paced life, there aren’t many natural areas, there is higher cost of living, it is harder to get to and from the grocery store and the traffic is bad.
I feel like the suburbs are a perfect blend of the pros and cons of living in a city or the country. It is easy to hop in car and drive to buy any type of item that I need (not being able to do this really stressed and wore me out when in the city), nature is close by (looking at and being in nature brings me joy), the noise level is fairly quiet (the noise used to keep me up at night in the city) and I have great access to health care. My house has a large enough yard that I can garden, but not be bogged down with caring for an acre. Medium sized towns/college towns offer many of the same things as suburbs, but lean a little more towards small town/country life.
Which do you prefer – city, suburb or country?
*Image Credit: from www.flickr.com by roarofthefour
Posted: March 5th, 2012 under Advice.
Tags: City, Country, Rural, Suburban, Suburbs, Urban
Comments
Comment from Amy
Time March 5, 2012 at 9:09 am
Hi, I live in the country and I am having a hard time finding places that will help in the treatments that my insurance company wants me to do.. I have been off work for 9 months now because on top of the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia my spine has fused to my hips and I have 4 herniated discs. I have to travel to the city (1hr drive) to see different specialists and the noise and air really gives me flare-ups. I am glad I live here but it is unfortunate that I have to travel so much.
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Comment from MIKI
Time March 5, 2012 at 9:40 am
I think the suburbs have worked out best for me, too. It has the feeling of being in the country (I live near wonderful organic farms to buy produce which is so important with an autoimmune condition) yet I have access to good health care. It is not as congested and driving is easy, parking is free. But I can still get what I need in the area without long drives. And the stress of city life is not there to make me feel worse. Climate is my biggest problem. I have severe dry eyes, and live in a warm dry environment and summers are particularly hard. But cold moist weather, which makes my eyes feel great, gives me more pain. So I have decided after numerous trips there, that Hawaii would be my best place to eventually settle, even if I had to live in a tiny place. The warm salt water, the warm moist air, etc. makes my fibromyalgia so much better. Some day!
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Felicia Fibro Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
I’m actually considering writing a follow up post that talks about this in more detail, including climate. Really hot summers are hard for me to handle, but super cold winters cause me tons of pain. These facts led me to find a more mild climate.
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Hollis Risley Reply:
March 20th, 2012 at 10:28 am
Thanks Felicia for writing your blog and spreading fibro awareness! We are also very interested in climate change and pain and would love to read your upcoming story. Thanks very much, Hollis
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Comment from Zona Taylor
Time March 5, 2012 at 7:28 pm
I think I do better living in the suburbs, even though I love the peace and quiet of the country. I love lying in thegrass at night watching the sky. In the city and suburbs there are too many lights to be able to see all the stars and satelites.
I have lived in five different areas on the US. I currently live in the Deep South. Living here is much better for the dry eyes and dry skin. However, the dramatic temperature fluctuations (50 degrees in 24 hours over and over three or four times per week) is very hard with fibromyalgia. I am thinking Hawaii sounds about right….70 degrees all year round….so I hear!
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Felicia Fibro Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
I can see the stars in the suburb I live in, but I did miss seeing them when I lived in the city.
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Comment from Zona
Time March 6, 2012 at 3:27 pm
The stars I can see here are only the very brightest. Out in the country I could see the Milky Way…and I am not talking about the candy bar.
Zona recently posted: What Do You Think? Does a Pet Make A Difference in Fibromyalgia?
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Felicia Fibro Reply:
March 5th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
That all sounds very painful, Amy! I hope you’re able to find someone to work together on those treatments soon.
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