Climate / outdoor activities

[Wipe0ut2020]

Originally Posted by Comeandgo92

Thank you , I'm gonna look at Atlanta and Houston .

If you like mild summers, do not mind times of severe chill in winter, like mountainous terrain, and like classical pine/deciduous hardwood forest, Atlanta would be a better fit for you.

On the other hand, Houston will have oppressive summers, but the winters are mild, warmer than any of the other cities you listed. It isn't as forested as Atlanta, but the forest areas are significant. Compared to Atlanta's forest, the forests in the Houston area are more subtropical in nature; you will see more broadleaf evergreens, subtropical/tropical epiphytes (spanish moss, ball moss), and subtropical understory (palmetto, evergreen shrubs and lianas, etc). Northern Houston areas are mostly pine, which stretches south across the metro in belts (extending near the Gulf of Mexico); southern Houston areas have subtropical bottomland forest (you will see more broadleaf evergreen growth, especially the southern live oak). Do keep in mind, though, that Houston is far from mountains (hills are an 1-2hrs away, and mountains are as close as 6hrs away).

So, think about your priorities: do you like mild/warm winter? Mountains or flat landscapes? Subtropical forest or more temperate? Hot or mild summers?

[Comeandgo92]

Originally Posted by Wipe0ut2020

If you like mild summers, do not mind times of severe chill in winter, like mountainous terrain, and like classical pine/deciduous hardwood forest, Atlanta would be a better fit for you.

On the other hand, Houston will have oppressive summers, but the winters are mild, warmer than any of the other cities you listed. It isn't as forested as Atlanta, but the forest areas are significant. Compared to Atlanta's forest, the forests in the Houston area are more subtropical in nature; you will see more broadleaf evergreens, subtropical/tropical epiphytes (spanish moss, ball moss), and subtropical understory (palmetto, evergreen shrubs and lianas, etc). Northern Houston areas are mostly pine, which stretches south across the metro in belts (extending near the Gulf of Mexico); southern Houston areas have subtropical bottomland forest (you will see more broadleaf evergreen growth, especially the southern live oak). Do keep in mind, though, that Houston is far from mountains (hills are an 1-2hrs away, and mountains are as close as 6hrs away).

So, think about your priorities: do you like mild/warm winter? Mountains or flat landscapes? Subtropical forest or more temperate? Hot or mild summers?

Interesting . I have lived with brutal cold -20 degree winters my whole life , I'm use to it I snowboard and snowmobile but am also at the same time sick of it . I enjoy summer now more than I did when I was younger . I use to hate the heat but now sitting out at a lake or pool , hiking and rocking a tank top most of the year is deff a plus . I do really love the fall and spring temperatures that are chilly but not hot or cold.

I think Atlanta seems to fit everything i am looking for . I did not realize Atlanta had so much forest and hiking / mountaneous terrain in the area .