The danger of following the rut in the road...

[rayinpenn]

We just finished a week in a Sarasota "test driving" the summer heat. - We come often in the spring and have done christmas but never the summer. My wife's late dads place is still jointly owned by the kids. It in a gated development landscaped, clubhouse, pools ... Lovely

What I've observed
1. The heat keeps you and most everyone indoors -yes obviously I call it "air conditioner incarceration". Yeah it gets hot in Penn but not nearly as humid (or so it seems) and it doesn't cool off at night as much. The only way you know who hasn't fled north is by the cans outside on garage day.
2. If it is cloudy you can stand the heat - outdoor fans in the lanai and a pool help greatly. But the sun will chase you indoors.
3. Bugs and critters are definitely a factor. The man made lakes are pretty but hey also a source of water for all that crawls, swims, flys or walks
4. One morning up and out the door by 6am for what turned out to be an awesome fishing charter and I see people out walking their dogs, exercising ..good for them!

I'm an outdoor guy ... After work it is a lawn chair, my iPad, the dog sitting on the grass nearby and a good book. Sat, Sun and holidays mornings it is my back deck same stuff... My little bit of heaven. Call me crazy but I even enjoy mowing the lawn and growing tomatoes.

My job took me to many places outside of Long Island I discovered Del/PA on one of those trips. Long Island is the definition of rat race - too many people. Only when we moved did I realize how bad it was. The opportunity to transfer came I grabbed it and it has been a joy. Now ten years later I'm thinking single story, less congestion and taxes.. The usual.

We know Sarasota been coming here for 20 years. Now her sister built a designer retirement home there. My sister is an hour or so away. Some of it is great but the snow bird congestion season has grown and grown. I75 is a nightmare and it has actually gotten pretty pricey. Call me crazy but I am worried that it would be real easy to fall into the rut buy and retire here. Would sitting in the morning on my porch in the hills of Tennessee or North Carolina be nicer for May - October or year round.

I am determined to turn hard and get out of the rut and see where the other roads take us.


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[jerome len]

Almost every part of the Country has a month or two of lousy weather. I always plan my vacations for January....miserable where I'm at, or July......hot is heck...close to 100 degrees. So.....choose between 4 seasons or pick a spot that will be uncomfortable a couple months a year. To me, my choice is where I have things to do and people I enjoy being with.....and, TAXES! I hate high property taxes or State income taxes. California has both....but the weather is so nice they can get away with it. Good Luck....my solution was two little houses.....one for 3 months in the winter....one for 9 months the rest of the year......vacations away from weather help as well.

 

[LOL!]

You saw that Samsung truck with the TV on the back?

It sounds like you need a Man Cave with a huge TV on each wall showing the view from your "deck". Of course, all presented in the low humidity, perfect temperature-controlled comfort of your own home.

Getting out in nature is enjoying the bugs, the critters, the sounds, the smells, the heat and the humidity.

 

[H2ODude]

I think you suffer from what I do...inertia plus a lack of full enthusiasm for anyplace else! We've thought about moving many times, buying a place at the beach, so on and so on. You hit on something that's big to me...crowding. My major career moves took us to progressively smaller communities (now leaving me with 275,000 neighbors) but a very drivable and easy to get around town. I can accept heat, but having lived in NE Florida for 18 years I'm not eager to return. It just seems that because financially we can, and having been here for nearly 20 years (NC) we should! The attractiveness of many areas (which would attract us) just means too many people and congestion for a good part of the year. Hence here we stay...for the time being!

 

[rayinpenn]

You saw that Samsung truck with the TV on the back?



It sounds like you need a Man Cave with a huge TV on each wall showing the view from your "deck". Of course, all presented in the low humidity, perfect temperature-controlled comfort of your own home.



Getting out in nature is enjoying the bugs, the critters, the sounds, the smells, the heat and the humidity.

Naah, I sit out there on the deck and yeah occasionally a skeeter finds me... We do bail after dusk because there will too many bites.. I have to laugh The Mrs gets 5 for everyone I get.

I Think I may have misled you I don't expect perfection, a good rain storm makes the air smell wonderful but
- for a life long mid Atlantic guy and gal the heat her lasts for a long while. 99 is 99 and that's hot - we northerners worry about too much heat. Yeah I know we are running from the cold...
- add a mountain and it cools off at night.. I'm not a big fan of air conditioning - we open windows when ever we can
- I do love to fish - I need and like the critters deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, fox I see them in pa right out my window.
- I do hate congestion.. I see it growing in pa where we live and it isn't good.


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[Bamaman]

Almost every part of the Country has a month or two of lousy weather. I always plan my vacations for January....miserable where I'm at, or July......hot is heck...close to 100 degrees. So.....choose between 4 seasons or pick a spot that will be uncomfortable a couple months a year. To me, my choice is where I have things to do and people I enjoy being with.....and, TAXES! I hate high property taxes or State income taxes. California has both....but the weather is so nice they can get away with it. Good Luck....my solution was two little houses.....one for 3 months in the winter....one for 9 months the rest of the year......vacations away from weather help as well.

Good advice above. We went to Vegas/Hawaii/San Francisco for February. I long ago chose hot over cold. And our total cost of housing is less than just property taxes in many states like NJ, IL, MN, WS, NB. . . . . .

Florida's homeowners' insurance is another big expense. But I'd choose living from Sarasota to Naples anytime.

 

[LOL!]

I do love to fish - I need and like the critters deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, fox I see them in pa right out my window.
- I do hate congestion.. I see it growing in pa where we live and it isn't good.

I'm just teasing you a little bit, but the following it true:

I used to live on the north shore of Long Island west of Huntington. I could fish from my back porch. I would see foxes and turkeys every year. Fall with the changing of leaves was usually spectacular, too. I didn't have to commute, so I didn't notice the rat race.

I write this because you mentioned Long Island in your first note. Sometimes you don't see what is around you until your mind is ready to view.

 

[2017ish]

Naah, I sit out there on the deck and yeah occasionally a skeeter finds me... We do bail after dusk because there will too many bites.. I have to laugh The Mrs gets 5 for everyone I get.

....

Sounds like us--although DW may get 15-20 for every one I get and don't notice... This year, she has found a way around it for sitting on the deck. Bought a "ThermaCell" butane repellent device. Surprised us in that it really does work. $25 well spent. (She got it at Lowes or WMT; AMZN also has it.)

 

[38Chevy454]

Almost every part of the Country has a month or two of lousy weather.

Some good truth in that statement. It's either too hot or too cold, just pick your more tolerable choice.

For Ray, it seems that a lot of the previous "retire in FL" has now become "retire in SC, NC, or TN" for many folks. Especially since FL costs have gone up so much, SC has become the new retiree destination for many. That would not be too far form your other family in FL, and the summer heat might be a bit more to your tolerance.

 

[MBSC]

Central SC is hotter than FL in the summer because they get fewer afternoon thunderstorms to cool off. The I-85 corridor between Athens, GA and Greensboro, NC and the I-75 corridor between Marietta, GA and Knoxville, TN are more pleasant. GA offers more generous tax breaks for those age 65 and over than SC.

Sarasota, FL vs Columbia, SC Climate Comparison

 

[JoeWras]

In NC I consider our July to be our "winter".

The nice thing about this winter is you can still tough out some decent outdoor activities if you are so inclined. Golf is possible. It is not possible with 2 ft. of snow on the ground.

 

[target2019]

Naah, I sit out there on the deck and yeah occasionally a skeeter finds me... We do bail after dusk because there will too many bites.. I have to laugh The Mrs gets 5 for everyone I get.

I Think I may have misled you I don't expect perfection, a good rain storm makes the air smell wonderful but
- for a life long mid Atlantic guy and gal the heat her lasts for a long while. 99 is 99 and that's hot - we northerners worry about too much heat. Yeah I know we are running from the cold...
- add a mountain and it cools off at night.. I'm not a big fan of air conditioning - we open windows when ever we can
- I do love to fish - I need and like the critters deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, fox I see them in pa right out my window.
- I do hate congestion.. I see it growing in pa where we live and it isn't good.

Take a drive to Charlottesville, VA. Use skyline drive down or back. Stay in a B&B. Drink wine and beer. Meet the folks.

Here is something else on my list--Lake Anna. I think you could find some fish there.

We are still tied to NJ, but some day...

 

[Al in Ohio]

My grandparents owned a retirement home in Sarasota. We visited many times to escape Nre England winters. They always left Sarasota around Memorial day and returned before labor day. I remember asking my grandfather why he didn't consider staying in Florida more than 8 months a year. He replied "Its hot as hades here those four months yet beautiful back home up North then". I didn't need for him to elaborate. Summers were always special to him since he was a kid. Why flip it and "endure" something undesireable when there's only so many summers left in the bank.


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[youbet]

I am determined to turn hard and get out of the rut and see where the other roads take us.

+1

Despite having lived in the Chicago area most of my life, in retirement I'm growing weary of the winters. OTOH, I really don't like heat and humidity. When it hits 90f, especially if it's humid or I'm in the sun, I'm really uncomfortable.

Right now we're signed up to stay here due family issues. But if we ever get to pull up the anchor, it won't be to Fla or any other scorching-hot-in-the-summer location.

That really seems to limit our choices for full time locations. Mild year around seems hard to come by. Snow birding may be the answer. Dunno..........

 

[mrfeh]

Call me crazy but I am worried that it would be real easy to fall into the rut buy and retire here. Would sitting in the morning on my porch in the hills of Tennessee or North Carolina be nicer for May - October or year round.

The climate of TN/NC is appealing. [Mod Edit]

 

[Moemg]

I have lived on the border of Sarasota and Bradenton for twenty years . It gets hot in the summer so my life revolves around the pool or air conditioning . Usually by august I have to escape and travel north to visit my Mother . October thru December are great months in Florida . Perfect weather & not yet congested . The other perfect months are March thru May . Great weather and most of the snowbirds have left . As for bugs , I have not had a bug bite except a fire ant once since I moved from New Jersey ( The mosquito capital of the world ). The pluses of Sarasota are great restaurants , lots to do & lovely beaches .Very few places have 12 months of great weather so pick your poison .

 

[walkinwood]

If you want to get out of the rut, check out some of the mountain west or high-altitude southwest areas. No humidity and it is warm, but comfortable in the shade even in the 90s.

It is very different from the east coast and we love it here.

 

[harley]

Take a drive to Charlottesville, VA. Use skyline drive down or back. Stay in a B&B. Drink wine and beer. Meet the folks.

Here is something else on my list--Lake Anna. I think you could find some fish there.

Especially on the "hot" side of the lake.

 

[haha]

+1

Despite having lived in the Chicago area most of my life, in retirement I'm growing weary of the winters. OTOH, I really don't like heat and humidity. When it hits 90f, especially if it's humid or I'm in the sun, I'm really uncomfortable.

Right now we're signed up to stay here due family issues. But if we ever get to pull up the anchor, it won't be to Fla or any other scorching-hot-in-the-summer location.

That really seems to limit our choices for full time locations. Mild year around seems hard to come by. Snow birding may be the answer. Dunno..........

San Francisco fits the bill. Not even Seattle will. Right now it is 91 F, and it's been like this for over a week. Monday supposed to hit 92, but of course it could get hotter. Humidity is pretty low at 30 or so. High 80s are challenging, but 90+ is worse.

And like many, I have no ac. Fans help though. It is only really hot inside from 4-8 or so.

Ha

 

[sgilbert2]

Alternative to the Rut

Almost every part of the Country has a month or two of lousy weather. I always plan my vacations for January....miserable where I'm at, or July......hot is heck...close to 100 degrees. So.....choose between 4 seasons or pick a spot that will be uncomfortable a couple months a year. To me, my choice is where I have things to do and people I enjoy being with.....and, TAXES! I hate high property taxes or State income taxes. California has both....but the weather is so nice they can get away with it. Good Luck....my solution was two little houses.....one for 3 months in the winter....one for 9 months the rest of the year......vacations away from weather help as well.

We call them Halfbacks in NC. People who move to Florida, find the heat oppressive and miss the 4 season. Move to NC as a compromise between the deep south and midwest.

 

[frayne]

Moved from Ohio to north Georgia, just south of Chattanooga one year after I retired. Love the mild winters and the change of seasons here. Summers can get a little hot but not unbearable. I lived in Florida (Ft. Lauderdale) for about three years back in the 70s and got burned out on the traffic as well as no real change of seasons. Every time I visit Florida I realize why I wouldn't want to live there, traffic and heat. I have a number of friends from Ohio who winter in the Ft. Myers area and usually stop for a day or two when they are heading down and then on their way back north. Funny to hear them bitch about the traffic and winter crowds.

 

[ERD50]

San Francisco fits the bill. Not even Seattle will. Right now it is 91 F, and it's been like this for over a week. Monday supposed to hit 92, but of course it could get hotter. Humidity is pretty low at 30 or so. High 80s are challenging, but 90+ is worse.

And like many, I have no ac. Fans help though. It is only really hot inside from 4-8 or so.

Ha

The heat in N-IL usually comes with humidity, probably 60% is on the low side of the scale when it gets warm here, and often much higher, so that is tough for me. I'm not even sure what 80's-90's F and 30% would feel like (have been to Vegas, but IIRC it was hotter and much dryer).

Does it get cool at night? A dip into the 60's at night goes a long way towards cooling off the house and making sleeping comfortable w/o AC, it will get the house back to the mid-low 70's if you can get the ventilation.

-ERD50

 

[LoneAspen]

I grew up in Alabama and lived there for 23 years. After that, I was done. I knew I'd never (and I mean NEVER) live in the south again.

Colorado was the best place I've ever lived purely from a weather standpoint. I love Rocky Mountain weather, except for the wildfires which will probably get worse as the drought continues.

But there's still something about living up in the Rockies that appeals to me, more so than any other part of the country I've lived in or visited.

Sadly, I'm having to do a OMY job-wise, but I anticipate this time next year, I will have quit the IT field, packed up, and moved back to the Rockies. Probably the Evergreen/Genesee area outside Denver, but I'm also giving some thought of spending a year in the Bozeman area so I can enjoy a bit of Montana and do more hiking and visiting Yellowstone.

Whatever happens, I'm definitely done with Silicon Valley. There is nothing here that appeals to me. I could conceivably live in San Francisco (if it weren't so ridiculously expensive) or maybe wine country, but I need to get back to the Rockies for a few years to get my soul back.

 

[Live And Learn]

To me being near family (which I am) outweighs the summer heat / humidity and the winter "crowds". The only time I am not outdoors is from noon to 4pm during the hottest months. I used to run into a heated room up north; now I run into an AC'd room. The rest of the day I am on the lanai, at the pool, or messing with my garden. I'm sure there are other places where conditions may be "nicer" but home is where the heart is, and my heart is where my family is.

 

[RAE]

The solution for us was to keep our home in rural Michigan and stay here about 9 months of the year; then head to the Gulf Coast (Texas) for the 3 coldest months, where we rent a nice house. I don't know why more people don't consider renting for a few months in a location where the weather is nicer at that time of year. It is really very affordable (if you pick the right location), and avoids all the hassles and additional costs of owning a second home. The house we rent is every bit as nice as our house back home, and the location (right on the water) is awesome for fishing, birding, enjoying the sunsets, etc..

I'd actually like to rent for closer to 4 months during the winter (Dec thru March), but the grandkids and some other commitments here at home keep us from being gone quite that long. I would definitely not like to be down south during the summer months.........way too hot and humid for me. And the summers where we live in Michigan are beautiful.