<p>We usually tolerate winter weather pretty well, but this winter was horrible. Very frigid temperatures were present for almost 2 months. Granted it was an unusual year, but our tolerance to this cold may decrease. We went out each day to work but limited our outside activity to the point of isolation. It was too cold to ski except for a few days. Just getting out of the car to work was exhausting. The lows were below zero for 6 weeks with highs in the teens. It was a downer to say the least. Finally, it warmed up the last few days.
So, on the brighter side we were talking about our options in retirement for those months. Sorry, but Florida and Arizona do not interest us. We thought of California and France. We must take short trips to investigate! Where would you go?</p>
<p>We live in the Chicago area. Last year we spent January and February in San Diego and had a wonderful time (we were trying it out for future relocation potential). We rented houses via VRBO - one month near Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma, and one month in Del Mar.</p>
<p>I would go to France</p>
<p>The lowest I had to deal with in New Orleans was mid 40s and I was complaining about how cold it was I can’t believe you dealt with sub zero! </p>
<p>Northern California is great if you like 60s year round…</p>
<p>Well, it was hard to complain much since many parts of Colorado were colder than us, but not Denver I might add. We were in some kind of inversion where the cold weather stays once it snows, and cannot warm up enough to melt, and in the valley it keeps the cold in- or something like that. I usually have that attitude ‘there is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing’, in this case the long underwear and winter clothes worked but the houses were really hard to keep from the pipes freezing somewhere . I cannot wait to see my water bill- we let the faucets in about three areas drip for weeks to prevent freezing. I did learn something new this year- I did not realize that you have to let them drip in the hot and cold part - and that the hot part freezes easier - something about the air in it- well i read it on the weather channel website after we managed to have a shower hot water part freeze. This is a new home, well built, and well aware of the cold bursts here but we still managed to get a shower frozen. I seemed to defrost OK though. It was almost harder to sleep at night because the bedroom and the rest of the house we keep warmed than usual.
So we also thought of Hawaii but we would have to rent a car for a long time. Crazyaboutsci- where in France ? any ideas?</p>
<p>Estero Island, Florida</p>
<p>In 2 years when my youngest is in college I plan on spending a month on St John in the USVI. There are villas for rent by the week/month. And I’m nowhere near as cold as you and I can’t stand it.</p>
<p>I know we would be in Key West. Probably with a few side trips to Disney.</p>
<p>I would return to any of these places where we or family members have lived at one time or another. Taking only weather into account, not cost of living or local politics.</p>
<p>Coronado California
Oahu, Hawaii
Northwest panhandle of Florida
Ponte Vedra Florida
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill North Carolina</p>
<p>I have spent a few cold snowy weeks in France. But as So Cal residents, that’s kind of a winter treat for us…Are you LOOKING for more cold weather? If so France might be just the place.</p>
<p>About New Orleans - it does get cold there, don’t laugh, it does! When you’re in a humid climate, the cold seems to cut into you more. But mainly, it’s the fact that those beautiful older houses aren’t insulated at all, the pipes aren’t insulated either, and the floors are raised up so they can often feel cold in the winter with nothing but cold air beneath them. </p>
<p>You might end up running that “pencil stream” of water all night once or twice each winter. You can avoid all this by being in a more modern, weatherproof house, which is something you should look out for wherever you go. Remember all the wailing when it got seriously cold in southern California last month? It can happen anywhere, even if it’s not likely.</p>
<p>Did anyone of you guys think of India???:)</p>
<p>Puerto Rico- easy to get to, US money, no passport needed.</p>
<p>Turks and Caicos - British colony but when I was there (OK - 20 years ago) they used the US dollar as currency, used the same electrical system as us, and encouraged hitchhiking so that people would need less cars. It was undeveloped then and still is far less developed than most islands. One of the top 3 dive sites in the world.</p>
<p>San Diego,
Hawaii</p>
<p>Colorado or Montana or Utah or Idaho. We have 4 years to figure it out. I like winter…I…do…not…like the gray Michigan days at all, the sun shines maybe 3 days between December and April.</p>
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<p>Right where I am sitting typing this! At our place in Hilton Head, SC. Every day since we arrived weeks ago has been sunny and beautiful, with temperatures ranging from the low sixties to the low eighties. Most days are in the middle of that range, which, considering the frigid weather we left (and travelled through in many states to get here) is perfect. </p>
<p>Beautiful weather, the beach, golf, shopping, theatre, endless great restaurants, terrific hiking and biking trails, interesting and lovely towns close enough to explore - Savannah, Charleston, Beaufort - amazing wildlife and birds, fishing, truly something for everyone. There are all kinds of accomodations you can rent and there are people here from all over.</p>
<p>We are thrilled with our choice.</p>
<p>You mean if money was no object??</p>
<p>Hawaii
San Diego
St. Maarten
Puerto Rico
St. Lucia
Possibly the Bay area of FL
US Virgin Islands</p>
<p>Lately I’ve been spending time in San Luis Obispo. WOW! The weather is somewhat more temperate, not as chilly in the a.m. and p.m. than my home area 3 hours north. It’s a great town - voted as the happiest place in the US. You can visit wineries, the beach, and even go skiing with a bit of driving. It is less crowded and hectic than the bay area, much less expensive than San Diego, Santa Barbara, LA. etc. and just simply beautiful.</p>
<p>Phoenix…one of our kids lives there. The weather in Jan and Feb is really pleasant and we would get to see our kid!</p>