Consider How Much Vitamin D You Will Get
“Vitamin D appears to be involved in the risk of developing MS, and there are some data that suggest that higher vitamin D levels may protect somewhat against relapses,” says Giesser.
The benefits of sun exposure must be balanced against the risks of overheating, as well as the deleterious effects of the sun, such as skin cancer, she warns.
Make Sure You Have Access to Medical Care
Your healthcare team may go beyond your neurologist to include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, psychologist, social worker, and other specialists.
To find a city where you’ll have access to all these healthcare providers, go to the NMSS’s Find Doctors and Resources page. Enter the zip code of your desired location to search for doctors, specialists, and other resources within 5 to 250 miles.
But if you do move and want to continue to see a certain doctor or healthcare provider, the recently expanded availability of telemedicine may give you more options.
Get to Know Your Transportation Options
If you use a wheelchair or scooter to get around, be sure to consider your transportation options. Some cities may have public transportation that’s accessible for those with disabilities, while other areas may offer paratransit, where you call in advance to reserve a ride in a van or minibus. Ride-hailing apps may offer another transportation option in some areas.
How do you find out what’s available in a given location? Try searching online for city or county transportation information, which should list public transit options and indicate whether they are wheelchair accessible. You might also search for a municipality’s office (or agency) on aging and disabilities for information on additional transportation services for people who cannot use public buses, subways, or trains.
Keep Your Personal Preferences in Mind
The best place to live — with or without multiple sclerosis — depends in part on your lifestyle. Would you prefer to be in a city? Suburb? Rural community? Do you need to be in a certain area for your work? And, of course, you have to consider your budget and what you can or cannot afford.
In addition, consider your answers to questions such as: How close are you to activities that are important to you? How easy is it to access them? What’s your proximity to family and friends? If you have to rely on them to get places, where they live can affect where you live.
Take Care Not to Increase Stress Levels
- A long daily commute
- Lack of community services
- No strong social connections to people in your area
- Excess noise in your living environment
- High level of air pollution (from living near a busy road, for example)
Any of these can be an argument for changing your location or for staying put, if a move would introduce new sources of stress into your life.
The Takeaway
When you have MS, it matters where you live. Climate can affect your symptoms; access to medical care and transportation are important factors; and the stress of living in certain environments can affect how you feel. If you’re considering relocating, the best places are those that meet your specific needs, so be sure to identify what your requirements and preferences are before you make a move.
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