Has anyone moved just for weather?

[Decision_Decisions]

Me and DH moved from Minnesota to California. DH gets seasonal affective disorder and really can’t handle the winters. We will eventually move back because our parents are elderly. But his compromise was that we have to get a condo / make roots in California so when our parents go to a higher place we can move back to California. But California ain’t a basket of roses either!

@Sprinkles&Stones, all things considered, has it helped your husband's SAD? I do think that I suffer from this as well and wonder about it. But my life can be hard in the summer too (life is just hard sometimes) and it's not like my mood in the summer is always perfect, so I wonder how much it would matter in the end. Still, I can't help but think that it would so help my mood to step out into a pleasant sunny day most of the time.

 

[Decision_Decisions]

I think every place has natural disasters.

But here is a list of states with the least natural disasters. I do not know how accurate it is.

The State with the Least Natural Disasters | Kuali

What is the state with the least natural disasters? Click to learn more about the state with the least and most natural disasters in America.

www.kuali.co

"

States with the Least Natural Disasters​

As we mentioned before, some states are more at risk for natural disasters than others. Michigan is considered to be the state with the least natural disasters, with a minor chance of earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Any natural disasters that have happened there have usually been less intense than they might be in other states. Other states that have a low risk of natural disasters include:

• Minnesota
• Illinois
• Vermont
• Ohio
• Colorado
• Maryland
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• Montana

"
The weather is not mild in any of these states.
Though some places in Colorado are quite lovely weather wise...

https://www.bestplaces.net/docs/studies/safest_places_from_natural_disasters.aspx

"
Here are the top ten metro areas with the lowest risk:

1. Corvallis, OR

2. Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA

3. Bellingham, WA

4. Wenatchee, WA

5. Grand Junction, CO

6. Spokane, WA

7. Salem, OR

8. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA

9. Yakima, WA

10. Olympia, WA

"

The weather can be pretty good in some of these cities but not a lot of sun generally except the eastern part of Oregon.

This is so funny, because I live in Michigan! I have heard that about the natural disasters, and that because of this, Michigan is one of the safest places to be during climate change. Less likelihood of natural disasters and all the fresh water. But I don't intent to live forever so not sure how much that really matters. A tiny consolation prize of staying put I guess!

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

@Sprinkles&Stones, all things considered, has it helped your husband's SAD? I do think that I suffer from this as well and wonder about it. But my life can be hard in the summer too (life is just hard sometimes) and it's not like my mood in the summer is always perfect, so I wonder how much it would matter in the end. Still, I can't help but think that it would so help my mood to step out into a pleasant sunny day most of the time.

Oh yes!!!! It helped him immensely. He loves it. He jokes that he’s cold blooded and needs to “charge” in the heat and sun

 

[Decision_Decisions]

I’ve moved a lot for work but I’m from the DC metro area. I like four seasons without a ton of snow. Most of my and my husband’s family is in NC, VA or DC so I will end up somewhere in that area! We have beach property in NC and I’d love to retire there.

There again, everyone wants to be in NC! I agree, seems perfect.

 

[Decision_Decisions]

Oh yes!!!! It helped him immensely. He loves it. He jokes that he’s cold blooded and needs to “charge” in the heat and sun

That's funny! I run really cold too and will often just sit in the sun and soak in the rays, sometimes while wearing long sleeves/pants. My family thinks I'm crazy because they all run so much warmer than I do and start to feel like it's too hot WAY before me.

 

[FL_runner]

There again, everyone wants to be in NC! I agree, seems perfect.

It’s also a relatively short trip from the coast to the mountains! I lived near skyline drive for years (VA but very similar) and loved the hiking. There are definitely more conservative vs liberal areas in the state but it seems overall moderate. I’d probably end up in Raleigh or Wilmington due to density of medical centers (I’m in healthcare) but the state is growing pretty fast because it really seems like so many people want to move there!

 

[Decision_Decisions]

It’s also a relatively short trip from the coast to the mountains! I lived near skyline drive for years and loved the hiking. There are definitely more conservative vs liberal areas in the state but it seems overall moderate. I’d probably end up in Raleigh or Wilmington due to density of medical centers (I’m in healthcare) but the state is growing pretty fast because it really seems like so many people want to move there!

We have friends that used to live in Raleigh and really liked it. And I always hear that too, such a reasonable drive to either the mountains or the coast. My husband is also in healthcare so that's good to know! Although with the way things are with Covid I do feel like he won't have a trouble finding a job anywhere, and honestly, probably no problems even without Covid.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

That's funny! I run really cold too and will often just sit in the sun and soak in the rays, sometimes while wearing long sleeves/pants. My family thinks I'm crazy because they all run so much warmer than I do and start to feel like it's too hot WAY before me.

You sound just like my hubby! He loved sitting in the direct sun with a hot beverage and his long short and pants, even in California!

 

[kenny]

When I was a kid my parents did.
In the late 60s we moved from the (either freezing or hot/humid) Midwest to the temperate coast of Southern California.
I'm so glad.

I've never even remotely considered living anywhere else.
IMO So. Cal. beaches have America's best year-round weather!

 

[missy]

I’ve moved a lot for work but I’m from the DC metro area. I like four seasons without a ton of snow. Most of my and my husband’s family is in NC, VA or DC so I will end up somewhere in that area! We have beach property in NC and I’d love to retire there.

I agree having four seasons is something I would miss even if I complain about the cold. I do enjoy snow (for a short while) and I love the seasons. Autumn colors, spring flowers, summer warmth and everything is just so pretty plus AC. I love cooling off after being very warm. And getting out of the shower and not being cold. I am also weird that I enjoy bare trees in winter and begrudgingly I do enjoy the occasional winter snow. I also love walking in the snow in the forest where it is silent and you can just smell the freshness of everything. I would miss the stillness of the snow and the beauty all around.



I also love sitting by the fire and smelling the wood smoke with the very low air temps outside .

The seasons make it interesting and variety is the spice of life for some. I also enjoyed different activities during the different seasons. I might (maybe) get bored if we cycled all 12 months of the year. I used to love cross country skiing (haven't done it for many years) and sledding. I also really enjoy coming in from the cold and having hot tea of hot chocolate. It is very satisfying to warm up after being cold. So for all these reasons and more I do enjoy having 4 seasons. I just wish winter and summer could be just a bit more mild lol. It's the extreme temps I am not a big fan of experiencing. But still worth the trouble for now at least.

For me, with each season, I appreciate what it brings. Knowingit will be gone soon enough and on to the next. I find that I the day for each season and don't take it for granted. I know February will be here before I know it, so I make the most out of August and so on and so forth. It sort of forces me to live in the moment and enjoy each day as it comes. As best as I can. I don't know if that makes sense to you but that is how I feel with the change in seasons. Life moves fast and I wholeheartedly appreciate each of the seasons.

And I am with you regarding the beach. I don't want to live away from the ocean. I mean if I had to I could adapt but I prefer being near the sea. It's in my blood so to speak.

@missy, that view is absolutely spectacular! Honestly, that in and of itself would be so hard to leave. I agree that there are so many different things to consider. Where we live is not perfect, but it does feel like home and in the metro area that we are in I cannot imagine living in any other city. It is a perfect blend of anything we could ever need (as we are in the middle of a sea of suburbs), but our city itself is on the smaller side and does have a bit of a small town feel, as far as the sense of community, seeing people that you know when you go out, having a downtown with a lot of amenities within walking distance, like-minded people, etc. Just so many things that we love. So finding a small city like that somewhere else would be absolutely essential and honestly I just don't think that we could even afford something like that somewhere else with the way the housing market is right now.

And I agree, family is so important. I lost my dad this year and I am on only child so being near my mom is very important. But then there are other moments when I know that we can't make decisions for our family just with my mom in mind, so it is difficult.

I am so sorry about your dad. And I get it. We struggle with similar decisions. I don't know what we are going to do when one parent passes away. They are attached at the hip and I don't see one surviving without the other. I wish they would both go together. I hope that doesn't sound awful. It's to spare the other from the pain. I cannot even bear to think about it. Gentle hugs to you.

@missy I don't have a "true Northeast" accent because I went to college in California. prior to that the Midwest was where I called home. Certain words or phrases...yeah you know where I'm from....lol Most people think people from Massachusetts must sound like a Southie or someone from Northshore. Thankfully no.

On the east side of SoFL, may as well be Northeast Corridor lite.

LOL I love that. Northeast Corridor lite.

I do think I may buy a second home somewhere with a milder climate (maybe around the Carolinas) to have a place to escape to periodically where the winters aren't so cold and long. And the days aren't quite so dark

@Lookinagain having a second home can be a great compromise I think for those who are open to and willing to deal with the challenges and expense.

I know many here have second and third homes. It is more work than you think it will be (at least from my perspective) and always more expensive than you anticipate. While I enjoy having two places I call home Greg puts in a lot of work to maintain and I hope eventually I can part with one. It is up up me as Greg is ready to let go of the NYC home but I am not. At this time I am not ready because I like the security of having both just in case. Like during hurricane Sandy we were in NYC and we were safe but our beach house neighborhood was without power for 17 days or something like that. Our generator kept our power on but without power in the neighborhood there is no phone, cable, internet etc. So even with electricity we couldn't access internet etc. I mean we stayed in NYC and were fine but those poor people here endured the power outage for over 2 weeks. And it was cold IIRC. But anyway I digress. Two homes is double the expenses (or more) and it is work. JMO and my perspective.

Thanks! Genuinely curious as I live in a place with no natural disasters and find it unimaginably scary to live in a place that’s constantly hit with natural disasters, or even with just high chance of one.

You probably should stay in Singapore. You have found your perfect place and honestly since you love it I don't see any reason to leave. At times the grass may appear greener in other places but if you have found your place stay put. IMO. Though I know there are disadvantages no place is perfect.

Anyway just some thoughts from me. No situation is perfect but it's what is perfect (or close to perfect) for the individual or couple or family. Everything requires compromise. It's just the way it works. The key is finding the best situation(s) for you.

 

[missy]

When I was a kid my parents did.
In the late 60s we moved from the (either freezing or hot/humid) Midwest to the temperate coast of Southern California.
I'm so glad.

I've never even remotely considered living anywhere else.
IMO So. Cal. beaches have America's best year-round weather!

I agree. If it weren't for the natural disasters, water issues and cost of living and well a few other things I cannot mention here I would love living in So (or even northern as I love change of seasons) California. On the beach please.

 

[Lookinagain]

Two homes is double the expenses (or more) and it is work. JMO and my perspective.

Yes, I know. That's one of the reasons I haven't jumped to buy a second home. It seems that a condo would eliminate at least some of the work. Pay your condo fees and at least the outdoor maintenance is taken care of for you so the condo could be more "lock and leave" than a single family home. But....if I were to move to NC or someplace like that, I'd probably choose something kind of rural and not a condo. When I have these conversations with myself, I say to myself, just rent a place for a month or two each winter and let someone else have the headache the rest of the year. Growing up in south Florida, my family and I always spent a good part of the summer in the NC mountains. We'd rent a nice home and be there for 6 or 8 weeks to escape the Florida heat. I think that was probably ideal.

 

[icy_jade]

You probably should stay in Singapore. You have found your perfect place and honestly since you love it I don't see any reason to leave. At times the grass may appear greener in other places but if you have found your place stay put. IMO. Though I know there are disadvantages no place is perfect.

Ah Singapore weather totally sucks. It’s hot and humid all year round. Have not moved due to family/job considerations and it is also safe and with decent schools for bringing up kids.

 

[missy]

Yes, I know. That's one of the reasons I haven't jumped to buy a second home. It seems that a condo would eliminate at least some of the work. Pay your condo fees and at least the outdoor maintenance is taken care of for you so the condo could be more "lock and leave" than a single family home. But....if I were to move to NC or someplace like that, I'd probably choose something kind of rural and not a condo. When I have these conversations with myself, I say to myself, just rent a place for a month or two each winter and let someone else have the headache the rest of the year. Growing up in south Florida, my family and I always spent a good part of the summer in the NC mountains. We'd rent a nice home and be there for 6 or 8 weeks to escape the Florida heat. I think that was probably ideal.

Yeah we are all different. Personally I don't like renting because I like my stuff being there and no one in my bed. Sounds crazy but this is my preference. I just like what I like LOL. Drawbacks and all.

Ah Singapore weather totally sucks. It’s hot and humid all year round. Have not moved due to family/job considerations and it is also safe and with decent schools for bringing up kids.

Oh I forgot about the weather there. Right. But yeah for you the pros far outweigh the cons.

 

[_dracarys_]

Yes. We moved from northeast Ohio to Phoenix in 2015. Short answer is no, it was not worth it. We moved back 13 months later.

My husband and I are both from NE Ohio where winters can be brutal and both of our families live here. We are extremely close to both, but winter 2014/2015 was absolutely brutal here and that's when I started looking for work in warmer climates. I found similar work in Phoenix, got an offer with paid relocation, and we decided to take it. My kids were 8 and 11 at the time. They adjusted fine in AZ, but they were happy to come home.

Since then, we've learned to embrace winter in Ohio. Some years are harder than others, but for the most part we learned that being near our family is more important than the weather. We talk about going back when our parents are gone, but I'd be shocked if we leave again. Moving sucks lol.

 

[AprilBaby]

Another Chicagoan. Today the weather is making my migraine miserable. If we move it will be to Oregon as we have kids there. Right now I have 4 grandkids here who are worth the headaches.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

im thinking about a summer house in Antartica

i got about 2 min of sleep last night in the heat

 

[cflutist]

im thinking about a summer house in Antartica

i got about 2 min of sleep last night in the heat

Right now is the summer season down there.
Daylight most of the time.
We spent 15 days down there in 2018.
Was supposed to return this year but our cruise got canceled.

 

[kenny]

I hear people say, "I'd never move to California!.
That's earthquake-country."

Oh Really? ...

I just googled Which types of disasters are the deadliest in USA?
This was the first hit.

Only 1.5% of US deaths from natural disasters is by earthquake.



Source:

Which Types of Disasters Are the Deadliest in the U.S.? The Answer Is Surprising

Mortality remains one of the major outcomes related to natural disasters, and a recent study on which types of disasters are the deadliest has yielded interesting results.

www.prb.org

 

[Girlfriday17]

I’ve been plotting my escape from this frozen wasteland for years. 10 more to go. It was -50c with the windchill here in my part of Canada this morning. We lived in a more temperate climate when we were first married but moved for better job/business opportunities. We have been focusing on saving to move when my husband is ready to transition into a different less physical job where he can work from home. My whinging is probably not helpful but I do understand where you are coming from @Decision_Decisions

 

[LilAlex]

I think this is one of those "Don't make any major career decisions on a Monday or a Friday" things. I imagine the winter solstice is the "Monday" of climate choice!

 

[Decision_Decisions]

Yes. We moved from northeast Ohio to Phoenix in 2015. Short answer is no, it was not worth it. We moved back 13 months later.

My husband and I are both from NE Ohio where winters can be brutal and both of our families live here. We are extremely close to both, but winter 2014/2015 was absolutely brutal here and that's when I started looking for work in warmer climates. I found similar work in Phoenix, got an offer with paid relocation, and we decided to take it. My kids were 8 and 11 at the time. They adjusted fine in AZ, but they were happy to come home.

Since then, we've learned to embrace winter in Ohio. Some years are harder than others, but for the most part we learned that being near our family is more important than the weather. We talk about going back when our parents are gone, but I'd be shocked if we leave again. Moving sucks lol.

@_dracarys_, if you are willing to share more details I'd love to hear more about how you decided you needed to move back. Were you just renting out your first home & could move back in? We're you renting in AZ? Did you know right away it was a mistake or did it build over time?

If nothing else, I think you're really brave to give it a try. My kids are similar ages and I'm sure moving the entire family was no easy feat. I guess I'm worried I'll regret it if we don't try (or at least really seriously look into it) and at least you can say you tried and you can put it to rest in your mind.

 

[Begonia]

im thinking about a summer house in Antartica

i got about 2 min of sleep last night in the heat

How hot was it D?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

How hot was it D?

not sure butit was more that the humitidy was very high
i cant find my ussual weather app and i dnt like the one that my pc finds

mind you its a case of becareful what i wish for
its been heavy raining for a couple of hours now and the river will be up

 

[_dracarys_]

@_dracarys_, if you are willing to share more details I'd love to hear more about how you decided you needed to move back. Were you just renting out your first home & could move back in? We're you renting in AZ? Did you know right away it was a mistake or did it build over time?

If nothing else, I think you're really brave to give it a try. My kids are similar ages and I'm sure moving the entire family was no easy feat. I guess I'm worried I'll regret it if we don't try (or at least really seriously look into it) and at least you can say you tried and you can put it to rest in your mind.

We rented in AZ and our house in OH sat vacant after being on the market with no bites. The decision to move back was kind of made for us; my husband was reserve military at the time and was called up to deploy to Afghanistan. We decided that the kids and me needed to be back home near family while he was gone and since our home never sold we just moved right back in. My position was also still vacant so I called my former boss and asked to come back. But really, we had been talking about going home before he got called up. We both missed home more than we thought we would and realized in this case that the grass was not greener on the other side. We didn't have any immediate regret though.

However, I think had we lived in a different part of Phoenix in a house we miiiiiiiight have stayed, but we ended up on the far west side (in Surprise) in a crappy apartment complex, never really made any friends, and the schools were terrible. We only had one weekend to go out there to house hunt and we couldn't find anything near where my job was going to be.

In the end I am glad we gave it a shot because I'd probably still be sitting here dreaming of year round sunshine and warmth. I'm also glad my kids got to see what life was like outside of their little Ohio bubble. My son, now almost 18, still keeps in touch with some of his friends from AZ and says he misses it sometimes.

 

[icy_jade]

I hear people say, "I'd never move to California!.
That's earthquake-country."

Oh Really? ...

I just googled Which types of disasters are the deadliest in USA?
This was the first hit.

Only 1.5% of US deaths from natural disasters is by earthquake.



Source:

Which Types of Disasters Are the Deadliest in the U.S.? The Answer Is Surprising

Mortality remains one of the major outcomes related to natural disasters, and a recent study on which types of disasters are the deadliest has yielded interesting results.

www.prb.org

Because the big one hasn’t hit yet. Read about the big Japan earthquake in 2011.

 

[GoldenTouch]

No but I think it every winter. When my daughter is an adult if she moves north I would as well (not to be in her pocket!!). With covid I’ve realised I want to live in any state she lives in because I wouldn’t like to be like some friends who haven’t seen family for two years. I currently have caring responsibilities as my parents are in their 80’s & need to be near the other parent….
I am bound to keep her here so she can see her father but you never know may happen years from now…. ?!

 

[Tayberry]

Chicago IL to Austin TX

 

[Austina]

We’ve recently moved from just outside of London (UK) to Austin, Texas. NOT because of the weather, but because our only child lives here and wanted us to be close by.

We still can’t get over the fact that it’s late December, and it’s 80 degs F here.

Hi @Tayberry

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Yes. We moved from northeast Ohio to Phoenix in 2015. Short answer is no, it was not worth it. We moved back 13 months later.

My husband and I are both from NE Ohio where winters can be brutal and both of our families live here. We are extremely close to both, but winter 2014/2015 was absolutely brutal here and that's when I started looking for work in warmer climates. I found similar work in Phoenix, got an offer with paid relocation, and we decided to take it. My kids were 8 and 11 at the time. They adjusted fine in AZ, but they were happy to come home.

Since then, we've learned to embrace winter in Ohio. Some years are harder than others, but for the most part we learned that being near our family is more important than the weather. We talk about going back when our parents are gone, but I'd be shocked if we leave again. Moving sucks lol.

Being able to move back was a huge factor we had to consider. Where we came from, the cost of living and housing are so ridiculously high. If we left and wanted to go back, it'd be near impossible for us to buy a home there.