My husband may be taking a job that would relocate us to the Eastern Pennsylvania area (Philly and surrounding) or New Jersey-Redbank/Trenton and south. I'm trying to get a head start on what places would be best in terms of dealing with Lyme and healing and would also be good places to live for a couple in their 30's and a really cute dog.
I'm looking for spots that have good natural health stores and food co-operatives, acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, access to environmental medicine practitioners and chelation/IV departments, lyme literate and open minded doctors, support groups (the ones in my area seem to be defunct)....hopefully that paints a good picture.
Any thoughts/opinions/guidance is helpful. I'm a writer and love culture, the outdoors, paddle boarding, biking, hiking with my dog-but am also concerned about exposure.
Thanks!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
All I know is that NJ and surrounding states have tons of ticks.
Tell me about your dog! Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
yeah...be really careful about ticks...i'll email you my phone or you can ask specific questions about nj...its hard for me to type too much
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Well, NJ has a lot of what you are looking for. But, as people have said above, it has TONS of ticks!!! ANd I do mean tons. Not sure that PA is much better, however, it also has lots. But NJ takes the cake----along with NY and CT. Sigh.
You would have to do everything possible to avoid tick bites. Sorry to deliver the bad news.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Center City Philadelphia is probably as tick free as your gonna get in the N E. Lots of culture, entertainment, great restaurants etc. Whole Foods...Essene.
Nice parks and I see lots of dogs being walked. Everything is within walking distance. I LOVE IT!
Gael
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Where ever you go you can be exposed. Or not. At least you are educated and prepared, which many folks aren't.
Attention to prevention is paramount in any area of the country. For more information on how to be proactive in reducing your exposure you can review the information at this link.
If no support groups are in the area, maybe you could start one!
Posted by Atta (Member # 30786) on :
Thanks so far for all the replies. And thanks Tincup for the link on prevention.
I had read that NJ and Penn were pretty high on the exposure list. I sometimes wonder if Michigan is a lot higher than reported for the mere fact that we just don't have the knowledge and awareness or the doctors to treat it. But, thanks to programs like the one Dr. Phil just aired we will hopefully wade our way to enlightenment.
Lymetoo-Tell you about my dog? Of course I'll talk about my favorite being in the world next to my husband
She's my rescue. I found her when she was five weeks old on the side of the road all skin and bones and she's been with me, ultimately loyal and shadow-like, ever since.
She's a mix of beagle and shepherd and possibly whippet-35 lbs., loves squirrels and rabbits, shooting like a bullet through the woods after any feral scent, and laughing all the way back home to me, tongue hanging out, and ready for a nap. She is 13 now and has been a huge gift to me during all of this Lyme crap.
She's my kid and I enjoy every moment I get to have with her in my life. Her name is Roemer.
Nice to hear about downtown Philly-that's an area we would be interested in for sure.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
AWW... she sounds cute.. and wonderful!! We used to have a beautiful border collie. I still miss him and we don't have a pet right now.
Posted by Atta (Member # 30786) on :
She still looks like a puppy at her age and fools most people into believing that when we are walking her around.
Border collies are so beautiful and regal. There's one in the neighborhood and it's always so friendly.
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
I have resided in both of the areas you mention.
Ticks are all over the place - no one place is better then the other sorry to say. With that said city is going to be safest in terms of ticks.
In terms of some places to consider moving to based on your lifestyle criteria;
Doylestown, Pa. New Hope, Pa. Lambertville, NJ
All three have what you are looking for in terms of lifestyle. Very ecclectic yet professional, crunchy, alternative, friendly, lots of fun places for outdoor activities, dog friendly, cultural/historical. IMO/E DOylestown was my favorite place to live. I miss it SOOO much.
Posted by Atta (Member # 30786) on :
Thanks Desertwind. I'm driving out there with my husband this weekend so we will be sure to check out those places.
I guess the key is to just be as aware as possible since I'll be heading into the hot zone.
Is it so bad there that city parks/lawns are a problem too? Are lawns hives of activity? Or is it the wooded areas?
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