Winterphiles not phobes?

[Nords]

Originally Posted by MissParker

I'm not sure if I would call myself a winterphile but I am looking forward to living in SW Ohio after I retire (leaving San Diego) and getting four seasons again.

I've lived in both places and IMO that qualifies as hard-core winterphile.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

After moving here from Boston, I'm starting to find the 50 degree winter days in CA to be a little chilly. I think i'm a -phile...

[Trek]

I've lived in both climates.

Mountains of Virginia (15 years), Northern Indiana (2 years), Germany (3 years), Nebraska (1 year), Western Washington (2 years), Oregon (1 year), North Carolina (2 years), South Florida (9 years) and now Estonia.

Out of all that I have to say I prefer the colder climates. Basically because I like the change of seasons. Florida was ok, but I wouldn't go outside anymore often in the summer when it was 90F and 100% humidity than I would here in winter when it's 10F and a blizzard. But I enjoy the outdoors and spend far more time outside in a cooler climate than I do in a hot one. In the colder climates I get warmth in summer, but in Florida all I got was hot or not as hot. And pesky heat rashes that required expensive zinc soaps. I also ski, snowboard and ice skate, but don't know how to surf or build elaborate sandcastles.

I think a lot though depends on specific locations too. I'd take South Florida over anywhere in Nebraska or Indiana no matter what.

I like warm climates, but for vacation, not so much for daily living.

[kat]

Four seasons for me.

Live in upstate NY and where do I buy a second home? Mountains of southwest Vermont. I may finally get snow tires.

I don't know how it will change from my mid 40's to say 80's. I hike year round, and my hiking buddies ski in the winter. Four of them are now over 75. And they have friends still skiing in their 80's...... But I also have met many seniors in tears on the sidewalk here in the city, unable to navigate the slippery sidewalks and miserably homebound.

I detest hot, humid weather. I couldn't tolerate more than a day of it.

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

My experience somewhat parallels Trek's.

I don't mind the cold. Working in northern Alberta at -40 from time to time is a challenge. Every day is a challenge. Kinda fun, as long as nothing goes wrong.

The moderate climate of the Pacific Northwest is one of the great attractions of the area to me, BUT I REALLY DON'T LIKE RAIN ANYMORE! It is cold rain in the PNW. I would just as soon have my precipitation solid.

[Want2retire]

I suppose that if all else were equal, I would prefer a Hawaiian climate to any other. However, all else is not equal, and other factors are more important than climate to me in selecting a location to live.

New Orleans has some oppressively hot and humid summers, but hey, that is what A/C is for. I plan to ER in Missouri, which has both hot summers and cold winters. To cope with the winters I will have a heated house, heated car, and warm clothing, so I don't think the cold weather will bother me. Right now, I am enjoying the cool weather after a long, hot summer. When it is no longer a novelty, it may not be as enjoyable but I will just stay snug and warm, and welcome the spring.

[Orchidflower]

So glad someone brought that up: where it is hot and humid, you stay in the house for months; where it is snowy and cold, you stay in the house for months.
California and Hawaii seem to be the only two places with decent weather, but undecent taxes/prices...so guess it is hot and humid or cold and snowy for me.

[Want2retire]

Originally Posted by Orchidflower

So glad someone brought that up: where it is hot and humid, you stay in the house for months; where it is snowy and cold, you stay in the house for months.
California and Hawaii seem to be the only two places with decent weather, but undecent taxes/prices...so guess it is hot and humid or cold and snowy for me.

I agree, although I am a little leery about the REALLY cold places like Montana or North Dakota since I have never lived in weather that severe. I suppose there are places in the world where snow piles up so high that you can't even open the door or look outside. That might be pretty spooky so I would rather live someplace a little more moderate.

I am pretty sure I can handle Missouri, though, at least after the first year or two of adjusting to the climate.

I just got back from the gym, where I got plenty of healthy exercise in a comfortable temperature and humidity without going outdoors. When I retire to Missouri I plan to join a gym, but to also have a home gym for days when it is too icy to drive outside. I will hire someone to shovel snow, just as I now hire someone to cut the grass. That kind of exercise gets old, fast!

[Nords]

Originally Posted by Orchidflower

California and Hawaii seem to be the only two places with decent weather, but undecent taxes/prices...so guess it is hot and humid or cold and snowy for me.

It's the Paradise Tax that's paid for Asian cuisine and great surfing...

[Want2retire]

Originally Posted by Nords

It's the Paradise Tax that's paid for Asian cuisine and great surfing...

Not to mention the breathtaking beauty all around, in Hawaii. Unfortunately my standard of living would have to be abysmally low if I moved back to the Islands and lived within my means.

No surfing for me if I am Missouri-bound. Guess I just have a different concept for my own little bit of paradise...

[jambo101]

I dont mind winter but shoveling the car out gets old real fast.http://www.highmarketsports.com/jan04a.jpg

[Khan]

Originally Posted by jambo101

I dont mind winter but shoveling the car out gets old real fast.http://www.highmarketsports.com/jan04a.jpg

I recall a picture of my mother sitting on a snowbank next to the top two feet of a utility pole (Upstate NY).

[Want2retire]

Originally Posted by Khan

I recall a picture of my mother sitting on a snowbank next to the top two feet of a utility pole (Upstate NY).

OK, now that is definitely TOO much snow for me!

But, a few inches or even a foot or so of snow might be do-able once I get used to it. It will be an adventure, for the first few years, at least!

[Moemg]

I remember the year Kennedy got inaugrated .We were off school for a week because of the snow .We had piles of snow so high it was like walking thru tunnels .The last year I lived in New Jersey we had an ice storm and it took me six hours to get to work which was a half hour drive usually .I love to visit the snow get my fill and then leave .

[Grizz]

Originally Posted by Ed_The_Gypsy

My experience somewhat parallels Trek's.

I don't mind the cold. Working in northern Alberta at -40 from time to time is a challenge. Every day is a challenge. Kinda fun, as long as nothing goes wrong.

The moderate climate of the Pacific Northwest is one of the great attractions of the area to me, BUT I REALLY DON'T LIKE RAIN ANYMORE! It is cold rain in the PNW. I would just as soon have my precipitation solid.

Have spent my whole existence in northern Alberta, and I remember thinking of winter weather the same way you do. That ended at around age 32. It was at about that age when I unfortunately shifted my outlook on winter and developed a low grade contempt for snow. There was just no more novelty left in it. Yes, I still snowmobile, ice skate, ski, and toboggan, and even enjoy building roaring fires in my wood burning stove, but nowadays I never actually look forward to snow and cold although I would think that extreme heat might be worse. After all, you can always put on one more layer of clothes, but you can't always take one more off.

[Goonie]

Originally Posted by Grizz

.......but nowadays I never actually look forward to snow and cold although I would think that extreme heat might be worse. After all, you can always put on one more layer of clothes, but you can't always take one more off.

I hear ya! I don't look forward to cold and snow, but I can deal with it. Like you say throw on 1 or 2 more layers of clothing....or just put on my Carhartt Arctic-Wear over my gym shorts and t-shirt. Unless it's sub-zero, I usually just wear a pullover sweatshirt (non-insulated) and a nylon windbreaker. And if I'm going to be outside for more than about 45-60 minute, I'll even break down and wear long pants instead of my customary shorts. I don't get cold easily!

But dressing for HOT weather........I hate it!!!! I can only strip off so many layers before my neighbors complain!

I can deal with the cold much easier than heat any day! Heck, I sleep with the bedroom window open all winter, unless the snow is actually blowing in.

[unclemick]

welllll - since I can still remember sitting under the fish camp at Lake Ponchartrain 90 degrees/90 percent humidity/no wind watching mosquitos and gnats doing the backstroke in the sweat on my arm - the four season greater Kansas City climate charm has not worn off yet. It snowed/iced the hill briefly after buying a house post Katrina - so I bought chains(first time in over thirty years) from Auto Zone. Have yet to use them.

Now - about Carhart - they worth looking into - ad's on tv all the time. My sister's care package hoodies/sweats over Jimmy Buffett Aloha shirts are looking less stylish all the time. I've gone as far as bib overalls unlined in warmer weather. But?

heh heh heh - too long gone from my first 26 yrs in the PacNW - rain is no longer 'Seattle Sunshine.'

[Martha]

Problem with Carhartt stuff is that they are so dang stiff until broken in.

[Goonie]

Originally Posted by Martha

Problem with Carhartt stuff is that they are so dang stiff until broken in.

Just wash 'em a couple of times, and throw 'em in the drier with an old pair of sneakers. The washing & drying will take out some of the stiffness, and the sneakers will kick a little more of it out.

For my first 15-18 years at my former employer, I worked outside all winter along a river with NO windbreaks. I've worn Carhartts, Walls, and a couple of 'knock offs'. Carhartts are BY FAR the BEST! And if you expect to spend a good deal of time out in the really cold weather, go with the Carhartt Arctics...they have a lighter weight quilted lining available, but the arctic quilted lining is MUCH warmer.

They also have flannel lined pants & shirts, denim & canvas pants & work shorts, henleys, sweatshirts, footwear....dang near everything...even thermal underwear!

They're not cheap....but they're good!

One of the benefits provided by my employer before I ER'd was a very nice annual 'clothing allowance'. When I started 30+ years ago it was $300/year. When I left it had been $450/year for quite a few years. They kept me dressed and warm for just over 30 years for just over $10K. I have enough clothes to last me for YEARS! We learned early on about stockpiling!

They put $450 in my clothing allowance 'bank' back on January 1st. By February it was all spent. But this time instead of "work wear".....they bought me "retirement wear". Shorts, t-shirts, polos, Hawaiian floweredy shirts, a nice pair of leather sandals, and several dozen pairs of socks. The ticket they received back from the vendor correctly stated my purchase..... "pants..shirts...shoes...socks".