If You Could Live Anywhere...

[operalover21]

One thing I have never bought into was that hot dry summers (think Phoenix or Las Vegas in July) are much better than hot humid summers (think Miami or Houston in July). I've been in Phoenix and Las Vegas in July and the heat is hellish. It felt like my skin was on fire it was so scorching hot. Comments like "oh....but it's dry heat" do not resonate with me at all.

 

I can take the heat for maybe a week. So I go to Bermuda or the tropics for vacation 6 times per year. But living there for 1, 2 or 3 months? I'd rather go to a Justin Bieber concert.

[seeker630]

Can I assume you mean Portland, OREGON? To those of us who live in the East, there is only one Portland, and it ain't in Oregon.

 

Perhaps that should be 'those of us who live in the Northeast. I'm on the east coast and I always think of Oregon first.

[citylaw1]

Someone in Portland commented to me, "Oh, but it's a dry rain here." Well, yes, in a way: it is rarely the heavy downpours that one gets in Florida. But unlike you, I really do find the dry heat of the desert different, and more bearable, than the heat of a humid place. In Philly, we thought it was really uncomfortable when it was over 90, but here I consider 90 a lovely, mild day; I don't notice the temperature until it is over 105.

 

I agree, the desert heat is much more bearable. 90 during the day is often followed by 70 at night. Over 100 it's a different story.

[EZEtoGRU]

I agree, the desert heat is much more bearable. 90 during the day is often followed by 70 at night. Over 100 it's a different story.

Except it's never 90 during the day in the summertime in the desert. Daytime highs are rarely below 100 and often well above in July/August.

[bigvalboy]

Except it's never 90 during the day in the summertime in the desert. Daytime highs are rarely below 100 and often well above in July/August.

 

Agreed. Temperatures in AZ at Havasu routinely reached well into the 110 range most of the summer months and would often drop only a few degrees at night. 110 plus was not uncommon, and often see temps maintaining a constant low 100's even long after the sun would set. Offering little relief from the heat. I have lived through summers that hit into the 120's for days on end. I pulled into Havasu one 4th of July at 3 am, it was 118 degrees, and 124 the next day. Humidity is a bitch, no doubt, but cool breezes coming off the ocean in the evening, makes much of it very doable.

[+ deej]

Comments like "oh....but it's dry heat" do not resonate with me at all.

 

A few years ago I attended a conference during the autumn in Phoenix and the weather took on an uncustomary early chill. At one evening event, held outdoors (a rodeo! yee haw!), bartenders handed over iced drinks with shaking hands muttering "it's a dry cold".

 

You can find things not to like wherever you are.

[bigvalboy]

At one evening event, held outdoors (a rodeo! yee haw!), bartenders handed over iced drinks with shaking hands muttering "it's a dry cold".[/

 

You can find things not to like wherever you are.

 

 

 

A rodeo, bartenders, iced drinks (assuming alcohol) and the offer of a warm bed to warm those boys up...so what's not to like?

[EZEtoGRU]

You can find things not to like wherever you are.

Yes....just as several of us commented upthread.

[Rod Hagen]

I'd give San Francisco a try for a few years, but I can't imagine a better city to grow old in than New York. Provided you're reasonably well off and in reasonably good health you can train, taxi, or private car all over the city and EVERYTHING you could need or want (except for mountains) is in easy reach.

[Tantros]

Somewhere in southern Brazil. For sure.

[operalover21]

Perhaps that should be 'those of us who live in the Northeast. I'm on the east coast and I always think of Oregon first.

 

You're either young or ... well, I don't know but I never met a native EastCoaster who thought Oregon instead of Maine when Portland was mentioned.

[seeker630]

You're either young or ... well, I don't know but I never met a native EastCoaster who thought Oregon instead of Maine when Portland was mentioned.

 

lol. I've lived in Virginia and North Carolina all of my 60+ years. Portland OR is a much larger city than Portland ME (29th largest in the country) and I'd wager gets mentioned in the national news more frequently. (I'm not saying that either is 'better' than the other - just that I honestly can't remember anyone I know ever speaking of Portland ME)

 

I'm not sure where you're located but I'm guessing its closer to ME than I am and therefore perhaps you hear more about it or know people who have been there.

[rickp]

Honolulu, HI- because of the beautiful year round weather, amazingly nice people, and gorgeous landscape.

 

As much as I love NYC the humid summers and freezing winters do get to me.

[operalover21]

lol. I've lived in Virginia and North Carolina all of my 60+ years. Portland OR is a much larger city than Portland ME (29th largest in the country) and I'd wager gets mentioned in the national news more frequently. (I'm not saying that either is 'better' than the other - just that I honestly can't remember anyone I know ever speaking of Portland ME)

 

I'm not sure where you're located but I'm guessing its closer to ME than I am and therefore perhaps you hear more about it or know people who have been there.

 

Oh, okay, I get it ... I think to those of us who live in NYC, Virginia and NC are NOT on the East Coast, we consider them the South.

It's not about bigger or better but about where you grew up.

[operalover21]

Honolulu, HI- because of the beautiful year round weather, amazingly nice people, and gorgeous landscape.

 

As much as I love NYC the humid summers and freezing winters do get to me.

 

 

I love Hawaii but I'd probably pick Kona or Maui. Honolulu has gotten so big and noisy and crowded. It's just like a big city with palm trees. Too many tourists.

[seeker630]

Oh, okay, I get it ... I think to those of us who live in NYC, Virginia and NC are NOT on the East Coast, we consider them the South.

It's not about bigger or better but about where you grew up.

 

And to us, you folks are 'up North'.

 

But we're all East coast.

[citylaw1]

I'd give San Francisco a try for a few years, but I can't imagine a better city to grow old in than New York. Provided you're reasonably well off and in reasonably good health you can train, taxi, or private car all over the city and EVERYTHING you could need or want (except for mountains) is in easy reach.

 

I was thinking about NYC today; I'm over it. It's too fucking expensive here. Making what I do, I shouldn't be one check away from trouble. Unfortunately, these days, you need to make a million a year to live well here.

 

As far as growing old here - puhleeze. You need Kennedy money to survive without working.

[citylaw1]

Except it's never 90 during the day in the summertime in the desert. Daytime highs are rarely below 100 and often well above in July/August.

 

Summer is excruciatingly hot. I lived in Scottsdale for 3 years, and the summer is from Mother's Day through September.

 

NYC, however, is hotter than ever. Walking and trains are a large part of life here, and summer is a mess. It's impossible to walk to a train, wait for a train, take the train and walk to a meeting without looking like you were raped.

[rickp]

I'd give San Francisco a try for a few years, but I can't imagine a better city to grow old in than New York. Provided you're reasonably well off and in reasonably good health you can train, taxi, or private car all over the city and EVERYTHING you could need or want (except for mountains) is in easy reach.

 

I love taking day trips to the mountains from NYC! Bear mountain is an easy 1.5 by train or bus.

[jankeedaddy]

I love taking day trips to the mountains from NYC! Bear mountain is an easy 1.5 by train or bus.

 

 

 

You might also try the mountains nearest NYC: The Ramapos and the Shawangunks. They are both pretty wild and uncivilized for being within sight of NYC.

 

 

The Ramapo Mountains are a forested chain of the Appalachian mountains in northeastern New Jersey and southeastern New York in the United States. They range in height from 900 ft to 1,200 feet (270–370 meters).

A number of parks and forest preserves encompass parts of the Ramapos, including Harriman State Park, the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Ramapo Mountain State Forest, and Bear Mountain State Park. There are many hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail.

 

The Shawangunk Ridge /ˈʃɑːwəŋɡʌŋk/, also known as the Shawangunk Mountains or The Gunks, is a ridge of bedrock in Ulster County, Sullivan County and Orange County in the state of New York, extending from the northernmost point of New Jersey to the Catskill Mountains. The ridgetop, which widens considerably at its northern end, has many public and private protected areas and is not heavily populated, boasting only one settlement of consequence (unincorporated Cragsmoor). While in the past, it was chiefly noted for mining and logging and a boom-era of huckleberry picking, as well as the fires set to create favorable conditions for further growth. Today it has become known for its outdoor recreation, most notably as one of the major rock climbing areas of North America. Also known for its biodiversity and scenic character, the ridge has been designated by The Nature Conservancy as a significant area for its conservation programs.

[Tantros]

Bear Mountain is actually amazing.

[Mikebiz]

The cold is getting to me as I mature but how can I give up spring and autumn in New England. Ok, got it. Rent out the place and come back for visits from the new place somewhere between Big Sur and Napa / Sonoma wine country in CA. Most memorable vacations have been in and around San Fran area.

[+ carlos45]

Santa Barbara, California...after all it is The American Riveria.

[rickp]

Thanks, I'll have to give it a try.

 

You might also try the mountains nearest NYC: The Ramapos and the Shawangunks. They are both pretty wild and uncivilized for being within sight of NYC.

 

 

The Ramapo Mountains are a forested chain of the Appalachian mountains in northeastern New Jersey and southeastern New York in the United States. They range in height from 900 ft to 1,200 feet (270–370 meters).

A number of parks and forest preserves encompass parts of the Ramapos, including Harriman State Park, the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Ramapo Mountain State Forest, and Bear Mountain State Park. There are many hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail.

 

The Shawangunk Ridge /ˈʃɑːwəŋɡʌŋk/, also known as the Shawangunk Mountains or The Gunks, is a ridge of bedrock in Ulster County, Sullivan County and Orange County in the state of New York, extending from the northernmost point of New Jersey to the Catskill Mountains. The ridgetop, which widens considerably at its northern end, has many public and private protected areas and is not heavily populated, boasting only one settlement of consequence (unincorporated Cragsmoor). While in the past, it was chiefly noted for mining and logging and a boom-era of huckleberry picking, as well as the fires set to create favorable conditions for further growth. Today it has become known for its outdoor recreation, most notably as one of the major rock climbing areas of North America. Also known for its biodiversity and scenic character, the ridge has been designated by The Nature Conservancy as a significant area for its conservation programs.

[Epigonos]

I lived in Santa Barbara, CA for four years. There are two major problems: 1.) Summers are frequently cool and foggy, and 2.) cost of living has always been out of sight. Housing in particular is outrageous. One major advantage currently is the proximity to the wine country of the Santa Inez Valley and the Central California Coast.

 

If one is in the market for weather with highs between 68 and 72 with lots of sunshine and minimum rain then the greater San Diego area is the place for you.

 

P.S. Bottom line is that if one has unlimited money one can live comfortably virtually anywhere and escape to someplace else when necessary. Unfortunately I'm NOT one of those fortunate individual with unlimited money.