[JohnN]

well, the storms can be wicked, and it's called the lightning capital of the world, I've not been here long enough to really attest to that

[Mikeod]

Oh, yeah, we have lightning. If you take reasonable precautions, it's not a problem. If I'm on the golf course or outside with other activities and I hear thunder, I'm out of there. There are too many other nice days to be outside to risk getting hit. Truthfully, I haven't been in thunderstorms here as bad as I did in Sarasota.

One of the discussions you will hear around here is whether or not to put lightning protection on the house. Some feel it is necessary while others not so much.

Really, everyplace has something natural that causes concern.

[nussbaum]

Going to the neighborhood pool during the summer gives you plenty of opportunities to meet new friends & neighbors. Make yourself a TV noodle float and enjoy the water. Don't forget the sunscreen.

[redwitch]

Okay, I hate humidity. I truly get physically ill. In the two years I've been here, I've had to stay at home and do nothing for a grand total of 5 days because of humidity. Given that I'm living in a Southern state with lots of water (albeit fake lakes and ponds), with two coasts on either side of me, that really isn't too bad. I had bigger issues with humidity when I lived in New Jersey and NYC.

Heat itself doesn't really bother me. It rarely gets all that hot here. Heck, we had more days over 100 in the East Bay (near San Francisco) than we do here.

Bugs? Yup, Florida has bugs. The Villages has few, at least in the common areas. Mosquitoes are mild. Horseflies are non-existent. Palmetto bugs are icky but easy to get rid of if you have a decent exterminator. We won't discuss lovebugs cause I really, truly hate the little buggers (pun intended).

The truly unbearable weather days here really are few. We do have air conditioning (you can even get fans for your golf cart). The bugs really aren't that much of a problem and, when they are, it's either because you left something out to attract them or they're fire ants (which can be a big deal if you're allergic to bee stings). Lightning really be pretty bad, but, as was said, if you use reasonable precautions you should be safe.

So, when your friends remind you about the weather, remind them about the weather there. You don't have to shovel snow. You have heat and humidity. Ditto on bugts. You have bugs up there, just different ones or different types of the same ones up north.

Better yet, tell them to come down and check out TV for themselves. They'll quickly understand why you're moving to heat, humidity, bugs and lightning.

[Freeda]

It is magical - paradise - here in the summer; and is our absolute favorite time to be here. The traffic is light, no crowds; very laid back, and the people who are here seem less rushed and busy. It's a totally different experience than the rest of the year; and I love it here the rest of the year, too; it's just different in the summer. Yes, the heat is often (not always) pretty intense in the afternoons, which is why it is great to have a premier pool membership because we love the resort-like atmosphere of those pools to hang out during the afternoons, especially Hacienda Hills, our favorite. So, we say 'heat? - bring it!!" (especially after this unusually cool winter, we are all saying that!). And of course, there are still plenty of activities to stay busy with inside during the summer afternoons, and then by the time the music on the squares, or other evening activities, start around 5 PM, and when the beautiful sunsets are occurring, the temperature outside is usually fine. I have never found the humidity particularly bad here; not nearly as bothersome as August in Louisville was.

Bugs, which terrify me, are virtually nonexistent here, in my experience (and undoubtedly pesticide applications are the explanation for this). We walk and jog outdoors alot, and rarely see mosquitoes, bees, or other flying insects; we have seen a few palmetto bugs are a very few (and small) spiders in our 2 1/2 years here; very rarely. Elsewhere we travel in the more rural areas of central Florida, yes, you get bugs all over the windshield, for example; but not here (except the love bugs that others have mentioned; they come in May and September, though, not during the height of summer).

[Tamma49]

Bugs....in all 50 states

Lightning...in all 50 states

Heat...it's relative to where you live and to what your body has become accustomed

Cold...relative, again

Snow...NOT in Florida

Case closed.

[dizz42]

Ohmygawsh...thank you all! Nice to know we are not alone in what folks say about our upcoming move. Also, not only have you given me super responses but you made me smile and, in some cases, I laughed out loud. That's what I like best about TOTV...great information and a little bit of humor. If this community is representative of the actual TV community, I can't wait to join you all! Hope it's soon!

[jblum8156]

I've only been here since last August but I guess I've been through most of the climate changes. I can only say that it costs a lot less to cool your house when it's hot than to heat it up north when it's cold. And it's mighty nice to walk into a cool house when it's hot and humid outside. No bugs in my house. I have also lived in south Florida - Miami - where the heat and humidity and bugs were much much worse.

[Army Guy]

See to us TV is cooler in the summer! Try living in East Central Alabama where in the summer it can be 109 degrees with 100% humity, and no breeze, better yet 6 AM and it is 85 and 100%. So to us the so called FL heat is a delightful to us!!

Army Guy

[Avista]

We've lived in Florida since 1983. First we lived in Tampa where husband's company relocated us, and in 2007 we moved to The Villages.

Sure summers are hot, but have your friends ever heard of A/C? With A/C we love summers in Florida. Children graduates of Univ of Florida in Gainesville.

[l2ridehd]

I think your all missing a great opportunity. These nay sayers need to be told. Yeah, bugs as big as horses, and lightening that causes your hair to stand on end, and humidity that causes you to have to stand in a pan to catch the drips. And don't forget to tell them about all the snakes and gators. Worst place ever. Maybe that way they will stay away. Who needs more grumps around?

[JMarkle]

Originally Posted by dizz42

My husband and I are hoping to move to TV soon. Everytime we mention to anyone that we are moving to Florida, all they say is "...but what about the heat and I hear the bugs are horrible!" I am sooooo tired of hearing this and it's getting harder and harder to just nod and smile. What do you all say?

I got the same comments when I lived in Florida for 18+ years many years ago. We used to joke about the roaches being so big you could put a saddle on and ride them. And that the state bird is a mosquito. So what? Show me a place that doesn't have some sort of pest problem and I'll pack up and move tomorrow. As far as the heat, to each his own. I'll take the constant heat over several feet of snow anyday. August is for travel, movies and/or the frozen food section as much as possible. It passes.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by dizz42

My husband and I are hoping to move to TV soon. Everytime we mention to anyone that we are moving to Florida, all they say is "...but what about the heat and I hear the bugs are horrible!" I am sooooo tired of hearing this and it's getting harder and harder to just nod and smile. What do you all say?

How about,

"Hey, if you don't like my driving, get the *ell off the sidewalk."

[downeaster]

When I accepted a job in Florida in 1965 everyone told me I was nuts. With the heat, humidity and bugs I would soon tire of it and move back North. I arrived in August of '65 and my only disappointment was my job took me back North eight years later. That lasted 14 years and in 1987 I was able to get back to Florida and the rest is history.

As to the heat, bugs and humidity. It is hot but we are so air conditioned I take a sweater with me when we go out. Humidity? Three summers in St. Louis taught the meaning of humidity. The bug scare is a left over from way back. I have received more mosquito bites in five minutes in Maine than I have in 30 years in Florida. As previously mentioned, love bugs are no threat to humans other than messing up their cars. Other bugs are under control.

BTW, I am not a camper. Campers might tell a different story.

You may want to rent for a while. Especially during the summer. Get a feel for it before you burn any bridges.

[rshoffer]

[.

The bug scare is a left over from way back. I have received more mosquito bites in five minutes in Maine than I have in 30 years in Florida.

Don't know how they do it... but there are no skeeters in TV.