Great answer. I live in FL and love it. Been here since '72. Can't stand the cold. Diagnosed with COPD about 7 yrs ago. Last bout in hospital caused me to have a heart attack in Feb. Trying to stay healthy now because I'm going to have a new hip soon. A bit scared, but it has to be done. Socket caving in after pins 2 yrs ago. Just praying my lungs stay well.

If you're thinking about moving, I would strongly suggest that you pick a couple of places you think might work for you and go for two weeks to a month in both winter and summer to get a feel for how you do. There are many stories of people who moved someplace they thought would be a better fit for them and their COPD only to find that it was either no better or worse or really worse. Not often that first choice works out to be perfect! We all react so differently to various things that if you can spend some time and money figuring out if a place will be a good fit for you all year round, you'll be ahead of the game for sure.

Hi, @A MyCOPDTeam Member.

Moving is a huge undertaking - changing doctors, leaving friends, establishing new routines, etc., etc., etc.

I started life in Massachusetts and moved to CA for the better quality of life due to the drier, warmer air. Even in paradise, though, there are weather challenges as my 3 months of Winter (wet, cold rainy season) are hard on my breathing.

Since I spent a lot of time in FL in the Venice / Sarasota area visiting and caregiving for an Aunt, I can tell you that I loved it, but that the dampness and humidity were very difficult to tolerate, even though many folks would say FL was just like CA (believe me, it’s not).

Is there any chance you can try FL as a longer term vacation or rental first, so that you can see if FL suits you? Many well off folks in WV and the surrounding areas try snowbirding, staying so many months at home and so many months in an alternate climate, to help get the best quality of life without suffering the longer term loneliness of leaving friends and family for good.

Believe me, I love my life in CA, but I miss my family and friends from home, and wish I’d been able to snowbird it vs having to make such a drastic to change to my life all those years ago.

However, the drier air of CA, NV and AZ were what worked best for me compared to FL, and so here I am 31 years later. Good luck with whatever choice you make, Karen.

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A MyCOPDT...

Hi Karen, I live in Fl and hate it here. During the summer months (which run from April till the end of September) it is so humid here that I don’t dare go outside. The humidity coupled with the extreme heat makes it almost impossible for me to breathe. My breathing isn’t the greatest, I’m on oxygen 24/7. I would welcome the cold weather, remember you can always get warm when it’s cold but getting cold when it’s warm is a lot more difficult. Hope I was able to help. Have a great day!

In Ind now. Flying back to FL in two days to start a new life in a new apt. Sig. Other of 8 yrs decided he didn't want to be in a relationship anymore. His loss! Hope you are well.