Moving from sea level, to 8500 feet above it.

treeguy64

treeguy64

Hari Om, y'all!
Location
Austin, TX.
OK, this is another post about moving. I was glad to see a few more people adding input to my video call thread, today, so hopefully I'll get some more enlightenment, here.

We are seriously considering a move to Woodland Park, Colorado. Thing is, between Chicago and Austin, I have lived at sea level, my whole life. I have vacationed in Colorado, and other elevated areas, but never for longer than a few weeks at a time.

At 8500 feet, elevation, Woodland Park offers a very real potential to effect us in a negative way. Altitude sickness is not to be taken lightly, so we are concerned.

I stayed in Silverton, at around 9300 feet, some twenty years ago, and other than getting winded while carrying our backpacks up a very long flight of stairs, to check in at our ancient hotel, I experienced no problems. Telluride never gave me any trouble, nor did Colorado Springs. Crossing Imogene Pass, at 13,100, we got out, had a snowball fight, and, again, no trouble. I was a lot younger, though.

So, my fellow SF members, have any of you moved up, way up, in this world, in your retirement? Please share your experiences, here, if you have, or know of someone who has.

Thanks!
 

We have stayed in Colorado for a couple of weeks in our RV several times, at elevation. No problem with altitude sickness (though each of us is different), but I was extremely bothered by the dryness of the air. I had dry nasal passages, cracked lips and nosebleeds for several days. Ugh. Other than that, I love Colorado.
 
I lived in the high desert above 6000 feet for 25 years. I had continual headaches nausea and was sick quite frequently. I have since moved to Florida at sea level and have experienced none of the symptoms. I attribute my chronic sickness over the years to altitude sickness. If I were you I would rent the place live there for a while and see how you feel. Altitude sickness is a reality. Best of luck to you đź‘Ť
 

I grew up in Denver, and spent quite a bit of time in the mountains...but that was 60 years ago. Last year, we visited my Sister/Brother-in-law in Arvada, and spent a day at the casinos in Blackhawk....at about 8500 ft. I noticed the altitude, and had to pace myself. There's a half dozen casinos along about a mile stretch in Blackhawk, and we parked in the middle of them, and walked back and forth.

I found that just walking for 10 or 15 minutes left me short of breath, and it took me about 10 minutes of sitting at the slots before my heart rate and breathing settled down. I think a person in good health would probably be able to acclimate themselves to the altitude....might take days/weeks....but anyone who has any heart/lung issues might not want to spend much time at such an altitude. On a positive note....most of the people in the casinos were old coots like us.
 
Manatee said:
Try it in all seasons before you buy it.
Click to expand...

Good advice. I RVed in Colorado quite a bit from time to time and each time took a bit of acclimating. never actual sick but just not up to par. On the up side, beautiful country and good air quality.
 
Son/DIL moved from sea level to 6000 ft., just out of Denver a couple years ago. He's an avid bike rider and the elevation took some getting used to, but it didn't seem to stop him. The dry air was the biggest issue.
But they love it up there!
 
When we moved to northern New Mexico (Four Corners area) many years ago, I suffered from altitude sickness. At the time I thought it was just because I was six months pregnant!
 

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