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I have lived in climates with HOT heat: Baton Rouge, LA ; Jackson, TN ; Louisville, KY.
I have also lived in 4-season climates like Detroit, MI; Syracuse, NY; and Erie, PA area.
My favorites are Syracuse and Erie since they have cooler summers, loads of snow, and year-round moisture.
I hate excessive heat There's absolutely no reason for it to get hotter than 80 F in the summer. I'm fine with summers that last 3 months or less and winters that last 6 months.
I would chose Miami weather. I don't mind a little bit of winter weather, but not 5-6 months a year of it. I also prefer palm trees and sunshine over leafless trees, gray skies and gloom.
5-6 months of it? People always exaggerate I live in Minnesota and its almost December and its been in the 50s and 40s all week up there. I actually wish there would be snow for me when I return from Miami, but there's no snow in the forecast. We had some snow falls over the month but they were for a few days, hardly the whole month and they topped at 1 measly inch. I still don't see which of these 5-6 months have winter weather. A handful of snow and freezing cold days don't count because its not all month long. I understand some of y'all don't like cold and thats fine but don't say we have half the year with winter weather because that is not true, and any year with 6 months of snow would be one for the record books, not the norm.
There is no place in the USA (major city at least) where boating is as good as Miami. Los Angeles cannot compare, and certainly not Minnesota (even though there is boating in both places, it's just not on the same level).
From the countless man-made islands and keys, to the numerous foreign archipelagos worth exploring - if you spend even one hour inside while visiting Miami you're doing something wrong.
Granted there are no winter activities in Miami but the water/boating activities there are so strong that it's simply on some other plain when compared to the rest of the USA.
Miami wins in boating because of the ocean and year round boating options, I'll give you that. But that's about it. Boating, jetskiing and scuba diving are all great in Miami... if you even have the money to do it. Fishing and swimming are the best things that anyone can afford. Miami is a water activity city, where Minneapolis is a water, land and snow activity city.
In Minneapolis you can not only boat and do other lake activities in summer (water skiing was invented in MN) but you can ice skate and play hockey in the winter, the weather is much more comfortable for bike riding up there from April-October. April-October is great for swimming in Miami but sucky for anything outside of water because of how hot and humid it is. I personally find Miami weather miserable. Right now its November 26th and in the 80s outside. F*** that! Even LA which I find too warm as well, is at least a lovely 64.
Also there's so many woods and waterfalls in the Twin Cities. I'll give Miami for ocean nature, its spectacular in that regard, but land nature, it sucks. The Everglades? That's water too. You need an airboat to fully enjoy 'em. Everglades are cool and all but I'd rather kayak across the lakes in Minny. Have you even been to MPLS? A lot of people who never been there, especially from Florida, are convinced its a frozen tundra for every season besides summer. Not true. Even when it is a frozen tundra, there's so many winter activities. Best city for winter sports east of Denver IMHO.
Benefits:
-beach weather year-round (though I've heard on here that locals don't really go in the water in the winter), meaning year-round water-sports. I would totally get into windsurfing if I had the opportunity.
-year-round alfresco dining
-warm nights and early mornings, you never have to gear up for the cold. You can wear a t-shirt and have a drink on your balcony. Or you can just stroll out to your car in your gym clothes early in the morning and head to the gym! One of those seemingly small perks of warm weather that accumulates into a huge benefit for me.
Cons:
-hot, sticky summers, but the pros make it worth it for me. Besides, the Caribbean-style ocean there becomes like a heated pool, which I love.
-no nearby winter sports. I would love to improve my ski skills or take up snowboarding, but I can live without it. I can just make it the occasional trip that I'll have to fly out for.
However, if I had Miami weather but no beach nearby....then it becomes a more difficult choice. Would depend if it was a mild 4-seasons climate (a la the Carolinas or PNW), or one with harsh winters (a la Minneapolis or Chicago).
Miami wins in boating because of the ocean and year round boating options, I'll give you that. But that's about it. Boating, jetskiing and scuba diving are all great in Miami... if you even have the money to do it. Fishing and swimming are the best things that anyone can afford. Miami is a water activity city, where Minneapolis is a water, land and snow activity city.
In Minneapolis you can not only boat and do other lake activities in summer (water skiing was invented in MN) but you can ice skate and play hockey in the winter, the weather is much more comfortable for bike riding up there from April-October. April-October is great for swimming in Miami but sucky for anything outside of water because of how hot and humid it is. I personally find Miami weather miserable. Right now its November 26th and in the 80s outside. F*** that! Even LA which I find too warm as well, is at least a lovely 64.
Also there's so many woods and waterfalls in the Twin Cities. I'll give Miami for ocean nature, its spectacular in that regard, but land nature, it sucks. The Everglades? That's water too. You need an airboat to fully enjoy 'em. Everglades are cool and all but I'd rather kayak across the lakes in Minny. Have you even been to MPLS? A lot of people who never been there, especially from Florida, are convinced its a frozen tundra for every season besides summer. Not true. Even when it is a frozen tundra, there's so many winter activities. Best city for winter sports east of Denver IMHO.
I just want to point out you can ice-skate too in Miami. In indoor rinks. Other than that, I won't disagree with anything you wrote.
If I had to choose I’d take Chicago but not for the weather. I like four seasons but with a mild winter. High desert New Mexico is nearly perfect for my climate preference.
No snow please (unless it's possible to live car-free)
Unfortunately, unless you live in Key West, FL, you're bound to get snow in your lifetime no matter where you live, even if it's like maybe once every decade or so.
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There's absolutely no reason for it to get hotter than 80 F in the summer. I'm fine with summers that last 3 months or less and winters that last 6 months.
I live in Minnesota and its almost December and its been in the 50s and 40s all week up there. I actually wish there would be snow for me when I return from Miami, but there's no snow in the forecast. We had some snow falls over the month but they were for a few days, hardly the whole month and they topped at 1 measly inch. I still don't see which of these 5-6 months have winter weather. A handful of snow and freezing cold days don't count because its not all month long. I understand some of y'all don't like cold and thats fine but don't say we have half the year with winter weather because that is not true, and any year with 6 months of snow would be one for the record books, not the norm.
