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How well people cope or even enjoy the cold is a matter of age and health. I did pretty good through my early and mid 60s. That has changed. My wife is afraid to walk on the ice and snow. We know too many people who have slipped and have torn knees and broken bones. It can and does happen to young people as well but the risks go way, way up with age. Not to mention the much longer time needed to heal. I have my share of issues as well. I have Raynauds and my fingers do not tolerate the cold. Heavy gloves barely help. My fingers turn cold and blue. It is not just uncomfortable. I don't want any amputations.
Should I mention the costs? High heating bills, cars that don't last as long and need to be in tiptop condition. I am having my roof rebuilt and reshingled because of the snow dams on the gutters which have leaked into the house and stained ceilings. Then there is cabin fever or even depression from being trapped indoors. I really enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking, exploring the woods, archery, fishing, photography. Most of those activities are greatly curtailed or impossible in bad weather with inches or feet of snow on the ground. Winter sports are for those who are young and healthy. No way am I going to cross country ski. I did that years ago. Now I just don't have the strength and don't want a twisted ankle or knee or a heart attack. Winter colds and bronchitis are enough.
Surely there must be some good things about cold winter weather. I just cannot think of any.
Sure that first snow can look beautiful. That fades quickly as the winter gloom settles in and the snow turns dirty and never seems to melt.
Aside from winter weather, I suggest you also pay attention to the "culture" of living in either of those Idaho cities. That would concern me as much as the weather, but we all have different perspectives.
Yep! Colder climates are basically 8-9 months of hibernation, and then 3-4 months of an explosion of activities. The hibernation is more like cabin-fever as well.
There is a reason why most Northerners would love to retire somewhere warm....we want to minimize or eliminate that 8-9 months of cabin-fever.
Hot & humid climates like where I live are similar - only the hibernation occurs from July-September when it is too miserable to be outdoors. But the longer I live here in Florida, the more I realize I could never deal with the cold anymore. It can be 60 degrees outside and I'm wearing a hoodie and heavy socks IN THE HOUSE.
Yep! Colder climates are basically 8-9 months of hibernation, and then 3-4 months of an explosion of activities. The hibernation is more like cabin-fever as well.
There is a reason why most Northerners would love to retire somewhere warm....we want to minimize or eliminate that 8-9 months of cabin-fever.
This post is very true.
While I love the relatively mild weather of the mid-atlaintc I find the colder weather months limits activity. I still do stuff outside but not nearly as much as when the temps are above 50. Even walks are restricted when temps fall below 32. And as noted some people above are not impacted by the cold.
Another important consideration. Is the area in Idaho you are considering cloudy in the winter. Cloudy winters can have an affect on peoples moods. Cabin fever is a real thing to be avoided if possible..
And of course if you are single or with someone your results may vary..
In 2004 my sister, at the age of 65, had her Florida house trashed by the hurricanes that year. She packed up whatever personal items she and her daughter could fit into two cars and headed for Racine Wisconsin where she had another daughter. That was after living in Florida for 46 years,
My wife and I figured that after one winter there, she would be ready to come back to Florida. That did not happen at all; she loves it there. Winters don't bother her, when the weather is bad (which is not all the time) she just stays inside. Today it is in the upper 50s and sunny; so much for the 8 or 9 months of having to stay inside theory.
Just like so many other things in life, when it comes to weather, one size doesn't fit all. Which, come to think about it, really works out well. Otherwise everyone would be jammed into one part of the country and the rest of it would be vacant.
Having lived in Arizona most of my life, I would add that it's important for anyone who dreams of moving to warm Arizona or similar states to understand that there are 5-6 months here where the heat is intense enough that you just cannot be in it without suffering ill effects. The 'hibernation' period here begins in late May and extends until almost November, although in the second half of October the temps finally drop below 100 degrees. In the past decade I've noticed that air conditioning runs continuously from April through October--the period of heat has definitely gotten longer.
Our active time of year, when it is easy to be outside, is from November through April. The problem is that for several of those months, it gets dark by 5:30 - 6:30 pm, so those of us who are working cannot get out for exercise or just outdoor activities. During the summer months when there is plenty of sunlight left at the end of the work day, the temps can remain above 100 until 10:00 p.m., so not much outdoor activity then either. Once retired, we plan to spend at least late spring through autumn in the coastal PNW. I'm not sure if we will want to remain through the winters though, for all the logical reasons stated by others who responded to this thread. At this point I'm thinking we will likely end up migrating to warmth for 2-3 months of the year.
We are in Phoenix now for the winter coming from Pa. I can not tell you the number of folks we have meet that live in cold climates in the USA and Canada and spend the winter here. Even more who own 2 homes, one here and one North. Everyone comes here in November and leaves in April-May. We spent last winter in Tampa, Fla and hated the nonstop traffic and crowding, we love it here in Phoenix.
We are in Phoenix now for the winter coming from Pa. I can not tell you the number of folks we have meet that live in cold climates in the USA and Canada and spend the winter here. Even more who own 2 homes, one here and one North. Everyone comes here in November and leaves in April-May. We spent last winter in Tampa, Fla and hated the nonstop traffic and crowding, we love it here in Phoenix.
Isn't the traffic and crowding bad in Peoenix too? Must be even worse in Tampa or you wouldn't have written that.
Everyone has their own preference but I think most retired people would desire a more moderate climate. I was all set to say don't do it but I looked at the agricultural zone map and Twin Falls is zone 6a. Santa Fe NM is also in zone 6a and people love it. Daytime temps might be reasonable but there will be a freeze at night that lingers well into what might be a growing season in more southern locations. It might be good to test it out before a final commitment -- rent a small place and spend some time.
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