[NJblue]

As I write this I am looking at snow on the rooftop of the house across the street, the Floridian sunshine is MIA, some of my newly installed landscaping is dieing/dead, the forecast calls for even colder weather the next two nights and the first time we have a hope of seeing an "average" day as far as temperature is Friday. This would give us two weeks of considerably colder weather than normal. With nothing better to do, I turn to hypotheticals. If this weather were not an anomaly, but the norm for the entire winter in TV, would this change anyone's mind about living here? How about snowbirding here?

I have a somewhat twisted theory that this could actually make living here even better, but before laying that out, I'd like to hear the answer to the above questions from anyone having nothing better to do on a dreary day.

[Bogie Shooter]

What?

[billethkid]

There are 2-6 weeks of cooler (sometimes like now, cold) weather. Usually in January and usually less than 6 weeks.
No one hates the cold weather and snow any more than I do. There is no contest about staying up North.....no way Jose'.

I have over the past 5 years let the cold snaps claim the vulnerable tropical plants and have been replacing them with cold weather tolerant species that are still tropical species....for example European Fan Palms good to as low as 10 below for short periods of time.

So if I had it to do all over again, my initial landscaping would include no cold vulnerable species. There would be hardly any compromise in the look and a significant relief of worrying when the temp hits 32 for a few days per year.

btk

[NJblue]

But, I think we can all agree that this weather is far from "normal", so to answer the question based on how the winters normally are around here is not really answering the question. The question is, if the weather patterns over the last 2 weeks were the norm for let's say half of December, all of January and February and part of March would you still live here or would you search for a warmer climate further south (yes, I know southern Florida is also cold right now, but using the liberty of hypothetical questions, assume that it was appreciably warmer down in Miami, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, etc.) In other words, do the attractions of a place like TV albeit with complete winters like we had for the last 2 weeks outweigh a warmer climate but without the TV lifestyle?

[swrinfla]

NJblue:

Frankly, I suspect that I'd be here anyway! Yes, the current weather is a serious disappointment, but 1) whatever we had this morning isn't "shovelable!", 2) my daughter in St. Louis is putting up with below-zero wind chills, 3) I'm perfectly comfortable here in my study/den adding thoughts to TOTV!

Last winter we had about five freezes, just not all in the same week! I am positive that my tropical crotons are long gone, which is a pitty, because they're very attractive, but vulnerable.

Alternatives: a Caribbean island, but think of the limitations of that!

Hang in there! It will get warmer!

SWR

[Pturner]

Ok, I admit it. I'm stumped. Does anyone fly north (or to a northern climate) to snowbird? Would a developer design a whole city around 500-plus holes of golf, with the concept of everything being "just a golf cart ride away," featuring a groovy little thing called pickle ball and every other warm-weather outdoor sport imaginable, and live outdoor entertainment "every night of the year" in a location that routinely experienced sub-freezing temperatures for four months running?

Hypothetically, would anyone go skiing in Aspen, CO if it were flat and tropical?

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by NJblue

The question is, if the weather patterns over the last 2 weeks were the norm for let's say half of December, all of January and February and part of March would you still live here or would you search for a warmer climate further south (yes, I know southern Florida is also cold right now, but using the liberty of hypothetical questions, assume that it was appreciably warmer down in Miami, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, etc.) In other words, do the attractions of a place like TV albeit with complete winters like we had for the last 2 weeks outweigh a warmer climate but without the TV lifestyle?

Why did I first want to come south? My main goal was to not be cold anymore, being from MA. I no longer ski, so I was tired of not biking, golfing, sitting outside for 4-6 months every year.

The attractions of TV made me NOT go to a places in southern FL even though they are warmer. I felt like high 60s - low 70s is plenty and I loved this place since I visited my Dad 8 years ago. The occasionally cold snap could be tolerated.

That said, If you are asking me if I would buy a warm retreat homein "The Villages, NC" as an example, for me it would be too cold and I would most likely look elsewhere.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by NJblue

As I write this I am looking at snow on the rooftop of the house across the street, the Floridian sunshine is MIA, some of my newly installed landscaping is dieing/dead, the forecast calls for even colder weather the next two nights and the first time we have a hope of seeing an "average" day as far as temperature is Friday. This would give us two weeks of considerably colder weather than normal. With nothing better to do, I turn to hypotheticals. If this weather were not an anomaly, but the norm for the entire winter in TV, would this change anyone's mind about living here? How about snowbirding here?

I have a somewhat twisted theory that this could actually make living here even better, but before laying that out, I'd like to hear the answer to the above questions from anyone having nothing better to do on a dreary day.

I will reluctantly and with great trepidation trade weather with you poor unfortunate. We have had 3 consecutive weeks of below freezing temps, including at least six days with morning lows of BELOW ZERO We are anticipating with great excitement a high on Wednesday of close to 40 above!!!! Oh sure, there is that pesky 23 inches of snow that was blown around in 35 mile per hour winds, but that allowed me to spend many solitary hours of self contemplation with a snow shovel in hand. You pay an amenity fee for the privilege of using the recreational opportunities in TV, while we get a great cardiovascular workout for free! Now, because I am altruistic and sacrifice for others sake is my mission in life, I wll agree to trade homes with you for the next 30 days (however you may have to pay a small boot which I am sure you will gladly fork over for the opportunity to witness our lovely bare trees and dormant flora.) I will look forward to your response, but this offer will not last much longer..............................But wait!!! If you contact me in the next 24 hours I will double the offer - that's right TWO full months of delightful North Missouri winter. Please, this offer is limited and only available to NJ because of his/her misery.