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Are the mountains calling your name? If you currently live at or near sea level, beyond the possibility of extra snow, moving to a higher altitude can bring some unexpected challenges. However, with the right preparation, you can quickly adjust and start living your mountain dreams.
It’s time to pack your bags (don’t forget the sunscreen) and start preparing for your next adventure!
While there is no exact measurement for what is considered high altitude, it does depend somewhat on the context. You may notice the effects of elevation well before you’re high enough to face things like altitude sickness.
For some perspective:
So, moving to the mile-high city isn’t the same thing as settling into a mountain town above 9,000 or 10,000 feet. Your destination’s exact elevation — and the elevation you’re coming from — can make a big difference in how much adjustment you should expect.
Mountain living comes with plenty of perks, but those perks don’t erase the trade-offs. If you’re weighing your options, here are some disadvantages of high-altitude living worth considering.
One of the most noticeable effects of elevation on the body is difficulty breathing. As elevation increases, atmospheric pressure decreases. There isn’t actually a lower percentage of oxygen in the air; instead, the lower pressure means less oxygen is available to your body with each breath.
This is why climbing stairs, carrying moving boxes, running, cycling and other physical activities can suddenly feel much harder.
Your body begins adjusting within the first several days, but some acclimatization continues for weeks or months. Even after you’re acclimatized, maximum exercise performance at high altitude generally remains lower than it would be at low altitude.
In other words, don’t panic if your usual three-mile run suddenly feels like six.
At higher elevations, particularly above 8,000 feet, people who haven’t acclimatized may develop acute mountain sickness. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping.
More serious conditions include high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Confusion, loss of coordination, severe weakness, cough, or significant shortness of breath can signal a medical emergency and require immediate attention.
Lower humidity can mean dry skin, chapped lips, irritated nasal passages, thirsty houseplants and more frequent static shocks. It can also increase evaporation during cooking.
Higher elevations expose you to increased ultraviolet radiation, so sun protection is especially important when you’re spending time outside at higher elevations.
Even your kitchen can require an adjustment period. At elevations of about 3,000 feet and above, lower atmospheric pressure can change evaporation, boiling temperatures and how baked goods rise. While this isn’t exactly a reason to cancel the moving truck, your grandmother’s cake recipe may need a mountain makeover.
Of course, if mountain living only meant chapped lips and disappointing cupcakes, people probably wouldn’t keep moving uphill. There are plenty of reasons people choose to make a higher-elevation destination their home.
Studies aren’t definitive (NIH), but it seems that people who live at higher altitudes may have lower risks of certain diseases and be happier overall. Researchers have explored possible connections between altitude and lower rates of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, as well as the potential influence of mountain environments on mental well-being.
However, altitude is only one piece of the puzzle; factors such as lifestyle, physical activity, climate and access to outdoor recreation may also play a role.
Better athletic performance is a possible perk of living at high altitude. Some studies indicate that training at higher altitudes can improve your body’s oxygen efficiency and red blood cell production. There’s a reason one of the U.S. Olympic Training Centers is at almost 6,000 ft in Colorado!
Many high-altitude towns and cities are meccas for outdoor activities, with great access to hiking, skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking and more. If getting outside is one of the reasons you’re considering the move, easier access to the activities you already love can be a major perk.
Then there are the benefits that are harder to measure: mountain views from the breakfast table, cooler summer nights in some regions, snowy winters if that’s your thing, and a lifestyle that may encourage you to spend more time outside.
Ultimately, the benefits of living at high altitude are personal. For many, the scenery, recreation, climate and lifestyle you gain are worth the adjustments that come with the elevation.
You can’t completely acclimatize before you arrive, but you can make the transition easier on yourself. Instead of waiting until moving day to figure everything out, build a simple high-altitude moving plan.
Look up the elevation where you’ll be living and sleeping. There’s a meaningful difference between moving to a city around 5,000 feet and moving directly above 9,000 feet, particularly when you’re coming from a low elevation.
If you have an existing medical condition — particularly one affecting your heart or lungs — ask whether your destination’s elevation requires additional precautions. Don’t assume being physically fit means altitude won’t affect you; the CDC notes that fitness level does not determine your risk for altitude illness.
If your new home is at a particularly high elevation, consider gaining altitude gradually. If you’re driving, that could mean breaking up the trip and spending a night at a moderately elevated destination before continuing to higher elevations. If you’re flying, consider staying a night or two at a lower-elevation city near your destination.
The CDC recommends avoiding a jump from low elevation to a sleeping elevation above 9,000 feet in a single day when possible.
Once you move to a higher altitude, give yourself permission to operate at mountain speed for a little while. Keep eating regularly, drinking water, getting enough sleep, and paying attention to how you feel. Your body is doing some behind-the-scenes work to acclimatize.
Moving is exhausting at sea level. Add lower oxygen levels, hauling boxes, assembling furniture, and climbing stairs, and your usual moving-day pace may suddenly feel ambitious. If possible, don’t schedule a marathon unpacking session for your first day. At elevations above 8,000 feet, you might also consider avoiding heavy exercise and alcohol for the first 48 hours.
If you’re moving from near sea level to a higher altitude, you may need time to adjust to your regular exercise routine. This is because the air has a lower density of oxygen molecules. Keep the exercise minimal to start, and slowly ramp up the intensity.
It can take weeks to feel less out of breath and even months to feel totally normal, especially in high-cardio activities like running and cycling. If possible, start at a lower altitude and move up gradually. At the very least, plan a few rest days throughout your trip. If you’re moving permanently, don’t high-tail it to the mountains, as tempting as it may be! Take it slow to start.
Higher altitudes tend to be drier due to lower atmospheric pressure. Sweat will dry faster, and so will your skin and lips. That means you need to moisturize! You might even wake up with a bloody nose, so consider equipping your new home with a humidifier. Doing so can make your plants happier too.
As previously mentioned, at high altitudes, your respiratory system works harder when oxygen is low, so your body needs more water to stay hydrated and healthy. Likewise, your metabolism works harder at high altitudes, so it’s important to eat plenty of nutritious foods.
High altitudes can also suppress your appetite, so it’s crucial to eat at your normal times, even if you don’t feel hungry. Being weak and hungry can make you even more susceptible to feeling the negative effects of altitude!
And, of course, getting plenty of good-quality sleep will help your body recover and ensure you feel your best.
Lower atmospheric pressure and lower humidity affect your cooking, too. And the boiling point of water changes with altitude. You’ll have to adjust the temperature, ingredients, and cooking time of your baked goods.
You may need to experiment with your cooking to find the exact adjustments necessary for your culinary creations. However, a general rule is to increase the temperature, time, and liquid of your baked goods while decreasing the amount of sugar and leavening agent.
High altitudes are more exposed to wind and sun. The sun is much more intense at higher altitudes, which increases your risk of sunburn. Aside from sunscreen, sun shirts are great for outdoor exercise.
Note: Covering up goes for your outdoor furniture, too. Your outdoor furniture is exposed to harsh elements and is at risk of fading, sun damage and wind damage. It can be helpful to treat your tables and chairs to protect them, or invest in covers to help them last longer.
Make your move to the mountains with the help of CORT Furniture Outlet. With locations including Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno and more, mile-high living doesn’t have to mean sky-high prices.
CORT Furniture Outlet gives previously leased furniture a second life, extending its lifespan and providing a more eco-friendly option at a discounted price. We even offer financing options so that you can furnish your mountain home with the furniture you want!
Furnish your new mountain escape with CORT Furniture Outlet – and if the furniture you bring home doesn’t complete your new home like you envisioned, you have 14 days to return it. Browse our ever-changing inventory of new and gently used furniture and take advantage of up to 70% off new retail prices. Shop online or in-store today.
