Florida might be lovely, but I’m not sure to whom. The climate is so hot, so muggy, so gross outside. Sure, it is possible to go outside, but now I firmly remember why I moved from here. Arizona is better. At least there are mountains there and everyone has a pool. Washington is definitely the shit, and I can’t wait to get back there. I am going to go crazy if I’m here much longer.
The weather is the crux of my problem with Florida. People do not want to be outside in the humid slop that is the weather here, so they don’t go outside. The internet and TV and video games have strong staying power - it’s what you do when you don’t want to go outside. Maybe it’s a stretch of my imagination, but no WONDER so many people are over weight. And no wonder I am absolutely BORED out of my mind. I feel brain dead, and it’s not from the heat. It’s from air conditioning and fake entertainment. If anyone I know hears me talking about spending any length of time in Florida again, please slap me … hard.
aye … ok, that’s enough complaining from me. I’ll shut up until I have something interesting to say.
In my somewhat educated opinion, Florida is considered lovely by people who have never been anywhere else. Those people don’t know about odorless tap water, days when you only need ONE shower, mountains, Christmas trees without ticks, low humidity, friendly bugs, and lake water that doesn’t contain alligators or brain-eating amoebas. So, therefore, they think Florida is Heaven.
Those of us who have been to Washington know it’s “the shit,” as you so eloquently put it.
Well, I know 2 people here at my office that were in Florida, moved to Washington to work for Microsoft, and then came back. They both cited not being able to handle the lack of sunshine. Some people just have different needs or different things that affect their mood/attitude. Certainly for Steve’s personality and lifestyle, I agree Seattle is better suited to him. However, I wouldn’t get be able to get my wife to move to a cold state unless her whole family went with her and I was able to invent a force field that kept her from getting cold outside
I think her asthma creates lessened ‘warm’ circulation in her hands & feet. I also mostly stay in Florida b/c most of my family (that I love) as that is a bigger priority for me.
Thanks for the comments you guys …
I was definitely not in a good mood when I wrote that. Not that it lessens my feelings towards my home state, but James brings up the point of why I visit Florida at all - my family is here, but also my long-time and much-loved friends. They all make it worth visiting. I drop hints all the time that I’d love it if my family moved out of Florida. It would be sooo great, as I’d be more inclined to live closer to them. I know they would love the change of pace and climate.
As far as the people moving from Florida to Washington and back again- I’ve heard of the other side of that as well. Friends who moved from WA to FL in search of sun and cheap housing. They ended up moving back to WA within a year. They couldn’t take the humidity, didn’t like the climate or terrain and may have even said there is too much sunshine in FL (they weren’t too fond of the traffic, retirees, or tourists either).
I like sunshine, and it was difficult moving to WA. But to me (and yes, I’m different) the rain was much easier to take than the heat and humidity. Not only that, but what I realized is that the lack of sunshine and the gray, overcast days tend to internalize your feelings and emotions. If you learn to work with it, it makes all the difference in the world, and you can use it to your advantage (where do you think all the great Seattle musicians get their inspiration?). If you are not used to it, and can’t stand being inside your head, and need sunshine to brighten your day, the lack of it will surely drive you crazy.
Lastly, I don’t know anything about asthma, completely ignorant about it, but I do know that I had horrible respiratory allergies in Florida and have absolutely none in WA. Maybe your wife’s asthma would be less of a problem in a different climate (subsequently improving circulation and keeping digits warmer)? And, their are force fields for not getting cold outside - the right clothing and good hand and feet warmers!
I used to LOVE Florida - - and I have lived all over the country and overseas twice. The fact that it is very inexpensive to live here (no state income tax), you don’t need to every buy new sweaters or coats, and all of the beautiful springs and beaches are nice. I also like the relaxed atmosphere here. However, I have recently grown tired of living in the city. Eric and I just spent a week at a cabin in the mountains of North Georgia and it was great. And, land is very cheap up there. Of course, you don’t have the convenience of living in the city - - or the job opportunities that the city brings.
I’ve been to Seattle and I thought it was nice. But, that cold, dreary weather would definitely cause me to slit my wrists. You mentioned Arizona and I fucking HATE Arizona. That is the worst place I’ve ever lived. Yeah, there’s mountains but there’s no grass or trees or water. Yuch! I really like Portland, Oregon. It’s a bit cold, but not as cold as Seattle and they are very liberal there. The only problem is that I’m not sure what the concealed carry laws are there and it would be a problem if I couldn’t have my .38 with me everywhere I go.
Welcome back to the USA!!!!