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I guess its all in your perspective. I grew up in Wisconsin and have lived over 20 years in the south, so I know both extremes. From that perspective, Indiana is in the middle sort of. btw, I also lived 8 years in Peoria, ILL and 3 in Ft. Wayne, so I know the weather. Trust me, Wis. MN MICH. ND, SD Maine etc, are significantly colder and harsher in winter.
There is a snow line that is around Laporte, IN where the lake affect snow from Lake Michigan stops. Fort Wayne has mild weather compared to above that snow line. When I was a kid, we could open our windows and walk out onto drifted snow banks. I moved to the lower part of NY and was surprised to learn it rarely gets below zero, we always had below zero temps in northern IN at points during the winter.
I'm in FL now and yes it's hot, but by the coast and there are breezes. Many a night there wasn't anything stirring outside to relieve the heat in IN.
You are right, it isn't the coldest or the hottest, but it can be the coldest and the hottest at times, giving you the worse of both extremes.
Just about every city in America can be at times considered as a best place....for Somthing. Demographic's being what they are these days ( as detailed as you want ) . Just one item on you wish list can throw off the status of a " best place location ".
For the first thing, Midwest/ Great Plains areas are the worst place to retIre/ live/ work. These are the land of extremes , hot humid summers , cold and snowy winters. Throw in a toronado or two , negative rust belt blight, civil unrest ( lack of jobs), and you will have a witches brew to stay away from. There are exceptions to be found in northern Michigan , mostly in Upper Michigan (UP) because of the Great Lakes. Large bodies of water, like Lake Superior , can bring lots of lake effect snow , but also not so cold temps. Summers living by the lake seldom require AC and humidity is low by comparison. The big lake can help with air born algeries too.
M
All this leads to the one special place in the Midwest that HAS wone more awards as best places.....it's Marquette, MI. 49855. There are other small city's in the UP on he lake shore, but nothing can compair with Marquette. It's the largest city, experencing almost a boom in new construction, did not suffer downturn in the markets ether. Yes , all this could be yours, come on up and check us out.
I chose Marquette to retire, first based on the reports I found right here on City Data. , and second watching all the awards the city has won over the years.. Ya , we are remote the closet city's where extensive services is 200 miles away ( Green Bay, WI.including Appleton , WI.) ........
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I always laugh when it is stated that a particular apartment is within 'walking distance' of grocery shopping, etc., and it is located in a severe winter area. No one is going to go out when the temps are near, or below zero; in a blizzard; when the sidewalks are icy/covered in a deep layer of snow, etc., and "walk" to do their grocery shopping, or to even try and catch a bus.
Now, if that same unit were located, say in San Diego, or in another coastal area of SoCal where there is NO weather to speak of, then yes, one may "walk" to the grocery store, etc.
Just about every city in America can be at times considered as a best place....for Somthing. Demographic's being what they are these days ( as detailed as you want ) . Just one item on you wish list can throw off the status of a " best place location ".
For the first thing, Midwest/ Great Plains areas are the worst place to retIre/ live/ work. These are the land of extremes , hot humid summers , cold and snowy winters. Throw in a toronado or two , negative rust belt blight, civil unrest ( lack of jobs), and you will have a witches brew to stay away from. There are exceptions to be found in northern Michigan , mostly in Upper Michigan (UP) because of the Great Lakes. Large bodies of water, like Lake Superior , can bring lots of lake effect snow , but also not so cold temps. Summers living by the lake seldom require AC and humidity is low by comparison. The big lake can help with air born algeries too.
M
All this leads to the one special place in the Midwest that HAS wone more awards as best places.....it's Marquette, MI. 49855. There are other small city's in the UP on he lake shore, but nothing can compair with Marquette. It's the largest city, experencing almost a boom in new construction, did not suffer downturn in the markets ether. Yes , all this could be yours, come on up and check us out.
I chose Marquette to retire, first based on the reports I found right here on City Data. , and second watching all the awards the city has won over the years.. Ya , we are remote the closet city's where extensive services is 200 miles away ( Green Bay, WI.including Appleton , WI.) ........
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How much is the Marquette Chamber of Commerce/Board of Realtors paying you for that?
I always laugh when it is stated that a particular apartment is within 'walking distance' of grocery shopping, etc., and it is located in a severe winter area. No one is going to go out when the temps are near, or below zero; in a blizzard; when the sidewalks are icy/covered in a deep layer of snow, etc., and "walk" to do their grocery shopping, or to even try and catch a bus.
In a blizzard, I get. On icy sidewalks, I get. But the rest? What's wrong with temps near, or below zero? Sure, there is the inconvenience of bundling up, but this is the Retirement Forum, and as retirees I think we can afford the extra few minutes. Ditto for the "deep layer of snow" on the sidewalks; winter boots would be required, but it's fun and beautiful to be out walking in the snow. I would be out walking in it even if I had no particular destination to walk to.
Walking in the snow in the midwest is fine, it's flat and easy to navigate. One problem is ice underneath that snow that can't be seen. I was running across a parking lot at work through snow and hit a patch of ice. My feet flew up and my head hit the ground. My car had died a block away, I was late for work. Ouch.
Once snow is on the ground, it usually doesn't go away and just piles up along with ice in these areas, unless there is a warm spell.
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Ditto for the "deep layer of snow" on the sidewalks; winter boots would be required, but it's fun and beautiful to be out walking in the snow. I would be out walking in it even if I had no particular destination to walk to.
Charming thought, but the reality is that beauty is great for kids/young people, not so much for older people who have less bone mass and are more prone to bone fractures. A walk in the woods maybe, away from concrete and the dirty piles of snow the next day and I would agree. Walking on sidewalks and navigating the mounds that the snowplows push around driveways etc. makes it treacherous.
My best winter in NY was three years ago, when it snowed less than 10 days and melted away with no snow on the ground after a few days. The dog and I were out walking almost every day, the temp doesn't matter and you are right, taking the time to bundle up and dress in layers is all that is needed. In NY the steep hills and snow are a dangerous combination, as are the slick leaves on a hilly road after a rain. Picturesque scenery for sure, but it's best not to be taken lightly.
Walking in the snow in the midwest is fine, it's flat and easy to navigate. One problem is ice underneath that snow that can't be seen. I was running across a parking lot at work through snow and hit a patch of ice. My feet flew up and my head hit the ground. My car had died a block away, I was late for work. Ouch.
Yep. Five winters ago, I was coming out of the gym at night. The parking lot was heavily salted except for one area of black ice ... I was walking carefully but slipped and thought I'd could get right back up like so many times in the past. Not this time. The ambulance had to come and take me to the hospital for surgery. Broke my ankle (crushed, the doctors were amazed at how bad it was), and ended up off work for two months. After that experience, I bought my own treadmill and workout videos for wintertime
How much is the Marquette Chamber of Commerce/Board of Realtors paying you for that?
Ha Ha Ha. No , I work as a lone wolf in the wilderness. What I do promote about Marquette is I found it as renewed, 6 years ago with extensive search, a lot right here on CD. Granted I have been in love with the UP for over 39 years, but mostly from afar, and summer vacations.
Sometimes I get carried away with what it is like retiring here, and some of the facts about climate around here are heavily criticized. So , I guess I over sell this little remote ( not so much anymore ) corner of the Planet...... It IS true that Real estate has not suffered during the recession up here, and now there is a shortage of homes to sell. The Realtors are complaining like its effecting their income , which I guess it is when you have the people coming threw your door and nothing to sell to them. Marquette is on a building boom like never before, mostly commercial and service directed as more and more people " find" us. ....and as far as the Chamber Of Commerce , they have closed long ago , the building has now been taken over by the Business Development Commission. .
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