Question for you Northerners...

[Beefer]

I grew up in NY. I watched folks work and work and muddle through the freezing cold, grumbling about how they can't wait to retire to Florida. How they hate the cold, etc., etc.

Every winter here on iboats, there is always a thread or two complaining about the cold.

Why do you stay?

I moved from NY to the PacNW for 17 yrs. Milder winters then the AtlNE, the decided to move here 5 yrs ago, at age 41, wasn't retiring (not a chance), got a job, got a boat, got some fishing poles. Got a house on the water, and I have sunshine and 65F in the middle of January. I'm sitting on my patio in my swimsuit, typing this. I own one pair of long pants, and I haven't worn them in 2 years, and I'm not sure if they still fit.

No, I'm not getting rich, but the wife and I own a small store that we each work 28 hours per week, and it pays the bills, hobbies, and then some.

I guess I just don't understand why people will stay somewhere they don't like being 100% of the time, only to work their nose to the grindstone for 40 yrs, so they can die where they want. Move down here (or wherever you want), and enjoy life at an age that you still can.

Are you all just masochistic?

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

Beefer....everyone likes the sun and warmth, no mistake about it.
However, around world and throughout history....weather has never, ever had much to do with quality of life and living. If it did then everyone, include Floridians...would move even closer to the equator, which none of us do.
The general economy and opportunities in the south, I don't think, are anywhere near what they are up north (at least right now) and I'm hoping to put a thread in on this pretty soon. That has a lot more to do with peoples happiness than the sunny days usually....no disrespect there by the way.
I know Canadian 'Northeners' love winter vacations down south and many retire 6 months a year down there. However, not many would fully trade out lifestyles for weather advantage alone.
Interesting thread.....keep the responses coming on this guys!!
BP

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

Why?

Two thoughts come to mind..

Job opportunity's and closeness to ones family.

Another for me is I'm a new england boy through and through, and I like all my area has to offer. Other places are nice to visit, but I can't imagine living anywhere else.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

Well put, BP. Personally, I like the sun and fun, but I also like the cold and snow. I live in a place where we have 4 seasons so I can enjoy it all. Kind of like it that way. I do enjoy a week or two in FL every now and then, and when I am there think about what it would be like to live there, but I in the end I am anxious to come back to the cold and snow (actually supposed to get some this evening, so I might be plowing soon! YEAH!)

 

[oops!]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

we like whining and sniveling

 

[Philster]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

The North East US of A is the heartbeat of the world; the coast of the North East and Mid-Atlantic are boating heaven and I love the change of seasons. Bays, harbors, sounds, coves, canals, inter-coastal waterways, inlets (man made and natural) and beautiful barrier islands that offer beaches second to none.

I grumble about the cold when it gets nasty, but the Floridians grumble about things down there, too. If you have a complaint about something, it doesn't mean you want to abandon it. That's the illogical misrepresentation that needs to stop.

We are wanting for a nice big blizzard right now. Shovel the snow, go sledding, hitch a snow mobile ride, come in and light a fire and get some hot soup... it's all good to me. Winter has a big plus side. I don't miss cutting the grass, and I get all my indoor projects done.

I love where I live. I am well-traveled but love the NE U.S.A and Mid-Atlantic region. Coastal living up here is great. The ocean develops a Winter's howl that is awesome, and when Spring returns, there is a feeling in the air, literally and figuratively, that can't be beat.

We just keep sending all the old cranks down to FLA. Works fine for us.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

I like the cold.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

Ya beef, I'm with aspeck up there^^^

I love the seasons so no complaints from me (though I really do wish fall was longer).

It's freezing cold out right now and the wind is fierce, I kinda like it

Round about when I'm starting to tire of one season, the next is here

Although, to answer your question - if I really wanted to move somewhere else, I wouldn't anyway. Job, family.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

Double post, sorry...

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

A picture is worth a thousand words....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=299480

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

I like the other three seasons, being close to family and free health care.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

i love having four distinct seasons, sure it gets cold, and yes i worked outside today , and yes the windchill was a numbing -17, and yes i had cold hands.....but would i move to a warmer climate? no, wouldnt even think of it. here in canada we embrace winter, get the most out of it and enjoy what it has to offer. ( a wise old science teacher once told me " there is no such thing as 'cold'......its just an absence of heat". if life hands you lemons.......turn em into slushies!!! lol

 

[cribber]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

Florida is not for everyone and I'm not just saying that to keep the snowbirds away
Although our winters are warmer we have a season I call Julaugust that sends the snowbirds packing back home for more temperate weather. 90 degree plus temps with 90% plus humidity makes it feel like 120 or better outside.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

The winters are worth it if you don't like them for the other 3 seasons we have. Winter has it's good points as well for me but having said that I am glad when spring arrives !!!!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

Why?

Two thoughts come to mind..

Job opportunity's and closeness to ones family.

Another for me is I'm a new england boy through and through, and I like all my area has to offer. Other places are nice to visit, but I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Well said !!!

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

I love to visit the south often, Florida , Tennessee, Cuba, Dominican, and make sure I do it before June because I can`t stand the heat!
You can dress for the cold but you can only take so much clothes off in those hot places ! I even find it hot when i visit Ontario in the summer.......no I think I`ll stay here and enjoy my cool summers !

 

[nwcove]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

nfld would be my destination of choice in august! get "screetched in....kiss the cod" enjoy the people. ( im hoping for a work related trip to the rock this summer!...would also love to fish brook trout there...or is the nfld brook trout thing just a myth?)

 

[Don S]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

95? F temp + 95% humidity, and those in South go in the house to the Air Conditioner.
5? F temp + 5% humidity, and those in the North go in the house to the heat.
The south also has 4 seasons, Need a jacket, Nice, Too Hot for comfort, and Hurricane season.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

I've lived in the pnw too and I like that just fine except around the holidays. Waking up on Xmas day to 50 and rain kind of sucks

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Question for you Northerners...

nfld would be my destination of choice in august! get "screetched in....kiss the cod" enjoy the people. ( im hoping for a work related trip to the rock this summer!...would also love to fish brook trout there...or is the nfld brook trout thing just a myth?)

Mud trout or brook trout are some of the most beautiful fish I've seen. Dark brown bodies, and bright orange bellies. And there are a ton of trout fishing in NFLD. There are lots of landlocked salmon as well. They call them Ouananiche. Bring lots of fly dope. And don't forget a camera as well.