The Pros And Cons Of Where You Live

[RJ898]

I don't know what I hate more, humidity or freezing and snow. I won't be happy weather-wise anywhere other then California but my wife is 100% against it and it's probably the only place more expensive then NY...

[meshugener]

I don't know how you guys put up with the summer heat.
I was in FLL 2 weeks ago and could barely move outside it was so hot.  Tried putting on sunglasses but the humidity is so high that they just fogged up instantly.  And nighttime gives no reprieve.

Though I'm sure FL people think the same of people living in the winter up north.  Though I'd answer at least I can get an awesome down coat for walking around outside and be toasty but as frum jews we can't just walk around half naked in the summer...whereas the summers in CLE are just so nice.

I can definitely see myself being a snowbird one day though.

You're aware I'm barely 10% of your size?

[Dan]

I won't be happy weather-wise anywhere other then California

Bingo.  Such good weather.
And such bad traffic, taxes, housing prices, cost of living, pollution, and general pritzus everywhere you look.

I don't know what I hate more, humidity or freezing and snow.

Tough call. 
NYC/PHL have very hot humid summers so less of a tough call there.
But CLE/PIT/etc have nice mild summers with very pleasent weather.  To trade that for a steambath would be hard.

[Dan]

You're aware I'm barely 10% of your size?

Huh?

[jaywhy]

as soon as the docs let my wife fly again, I'll be round the corner checking out coral springs

Let me know when you come.

I don't know how you guys put up with the summer heat.
I was in FLL 2 weeks ago and could barely move outside it was so hot.  Tried putting on sunglasses but the humidity is so high that they just fogged up instantly.  And nighttime gives no reprieve.

Though I'm sure FL people think the same of people living in the winter up north.  Though I'd answer at least I can get an awesome down coat for walking around outside and be toasty but as frum jews we can't just walk around half naked in the summer...whereas the summers in CLE are just so nice.

I can definitely see myself being a snowbird one day though.

IMHO, it's bad but not unbearably so. It's maybe a bit hotter than a hot day in NYC in August, but it lasts for a few months. I stopped wearing glasses outside because of the fog
All other things equal, I think 4 months of brutal heat are better than 4 months of brutal cold. And no SAD.

[jaywhy]

True true.
But don't they make up for that elsewhere?

High property tax rates but no higher than NY/NJ/CT.
Overall, FL has the fifth lowest tax burden in the country. http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=29

[Dan]

IMHO, it's bad but not unbearably so. It's maybe a bit hotter than a hot day in NYC in August, but it lasts for a few months.

That's unbearable in my book

I stopped wearing glasses outside because of the fog

Really bad idea for your long-term eye health.

All other things equal, I think 4 months of brutal heat are better than 4 months of brutal cold.

It's an interesting debate, definitely hear both sides.  If we could walk around town in beachwear it would be less of a debate, but that's not an option for us.  But a toasty knee length LL Bean coat and a paid of cozy uggs and winter's bite isn't all that bad.   The problem most people have is they don't dress warm enough.  Though that's easier in a place where everyone drives and there's ample parking near everything.

As I said, I'd love to be a snowbird.  Just doesn't really work with kids.

[Dan]

High property tax rates but no higher than NY/NJ/CT.
Overall, FL has the fifth lowest tax burden in the country. http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=29

"Property taxes in Florida are some of the highest in the country"
How much are they for an average home?

[meshugener]

Huh?

Much easier to tolerate heat.

[Dan]

Much easier to tolerate heat.

You weigh 19.5 pounds?

[RJ898]

Whenever I walk around in the heat and humidity of NY I think: this is unlivable, bring me winter. Winter comes around and I'm praying for the sun. It's true that you can dress warm but you have to add 10 minuted of bundling up everywhere you go (especially with kids). Florida weather is supposedly amazing for 7-8 months a year, is there anyone here that can back up or dispute?

[jaywhy]

Really bad idea for your long-term eye health.

That's why I wear my contacts instead 

It's an interesting debate, definitely hear both sides.  If we could walk around town in beachwear it would be less of a debate, but that's not an option for us.  But a toasty knee length LL Bean coat and a paid of cozy uggs and winter's bite isn't all that bad.   The problem most people have is they don't dress warm enough.  Though that's easier in a place where everyone drives and there's ample parking near everything.

As I said, I'd love to be a snowbird.  Just doesn't really work with kids.

T/Polo shirt + linen or cotton pants/shorts works pretty well. Do you consider that beachwear?

[AJK]

News to me.
https://local.google.com/maps?q=cleveland&hl=en&ll=41.658549,-81.732788&spn=1.10809,2.732849&sll=40.365277,-82.669252&sspn=4.520052,10.931396&hnear=Cleveland,+Cuyahoga,+Ohio&t=m&z=9

I meant salt water... ya know, real water. With waves

[AJK]

BTW Cedar Point is on a great beach in Sandusky with awesome offshore islands to go to.  And there's a massive Sandusky indoor waterpark resort on groupon now. Largest in the country.
#2MonthsLeft

Let me confer with the boss. And no, I don't mean the person who signs the paychecks 

[Dan]

Whenever I walk around in the heat and humidity of NY I think: this is unlivable, bring me winter. Winter comes around and I'm praying for the sun. It's true that you can dress warm but you have to add 10 minuted of bundling up everywhere you go (especially with kids). Florida weather is supposedly amazing for 7-8 months a year, is there anyone here that can back up or dispute?

There are other places besides FL and NY...
NY has brutal summers and winters.  There are plenty of places that are very pleasant for half of the year.

We were in MIA in late September and it was still miserable. My wife, who is half my size, didn't want to be outdoors at all due to the oppressive heat and humidity.  So I don't think it's possible that 8 months are all that great...

[Dan]

That's why I wear my contacts instead 

Talking about sunglasses.

[Dan]

I meant salt water... ya know, real water. With waves

Got news for ya. There are waves. People even come here to surf!

[AJK]

That IS news... who woulda think you could surf... on a lake! 

[Dan]

Let me confer with the boss. And no, I don't mean the person who signs the paychecks 

You can make a nice mini-trip out of it.  Find a nice cruise to check out the islands, really cool places to see.

[AJK]

So, NY is brutal in both seasons, MIA is brutal in summer, CLE is brutal in winter...

MIA has low taxes, NJ has high taxes, and CLE is somewhere in the middle?

NYC has great access to international flights, MIA less so, and CLE even less than that.

TX has no state income tax, but has hot summers, MEM has cheap homes but is humid in summer and lacks good flight options, while ATL is somewhere in the middle.

Can we create a top 5 list or something? I need to start thinking about this stuff. I refuse to pay $1MM+ for a nice house.

... but I also want good weather... and low taxes... and good access to flights