As you can see, I've had it with winter.

So…Jodi and I discussed it and as soon as we can retire, we are going to split our time up here in the Spring/Summer/Fall and somewhere warm from November 1 to May 1.

So my question to you fine folks is…where?

I am not a serious golfer, so that doesnt matter to me. We need water. Big water. Doesnt have to be an ocean. Could be a river or nice big lake.

Not fond of gambling, so Vegas is out.

I dont like old people, so a retirement village in Florida is out. I plan on being fit into my 80's and will not be acting old. I love the state of Florida, and would seriously consider working part time at Disney or something like that.

What do you suggest?

Clermont. About 45 minutes from Disney. Surrounded by a chain of 17 lakes, most connected by canals. Great boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, and any other water activities. It used to be a tiny town but it is growing. There is a brand new hospital there now. Leslie's parents lived there for about 10 years and we visited at least once a year if not more. It's a nice location, outside of all the main Orlando traffic but still close enough to the attractions and it really isn't far to cocoa beach or Daytona.

Seattle!

Clermont is nice…at least what I remember of it when we stayed there in 1984.

I like the Carolinas a lot.

Seattle?

As much as I would LOVE to live there and be a surrogate big brother to you and faux uncle to your girls, the weather concerns me.

Is it 70 in Seattle in January?

Because…lord knows Jodi will want to bake her boobs in the sun….LOL.

I've heard of Clermont….I might have even driven through it in the early 90's on the way to wally world south.

Well no its not 70… but its not 10 either! haha

If you move to Clermont you have to get a pair of jet skis. Its fun to cruise slowly through the canals in between lakes knowing that at any moment a gator bigger than you and the jet ski could come up and take you down.

Um, I hear that St. Cloud is nice and cozy in the dead of winter.

Ok, a complete and utter lie but I'll brew anything you want, keep the thermostat at 72, and cook every night. All I ask is that you do windows. 

Saskatchewan has lovely weather in the winter

May I suggest San Diego?  Although it is expensive, you can't beat the weather.  And it isn't humid like Florida!

Clermont and St Cloud have increasing crime. BAD crime…like random getting shot on your way to the mailbox type crime.  (don't forget…I lived there from 1982 until I moved to Ohio…and my parents just left)

Clermont is not too far removed from an area known as "Crime Hills"  (Pine Hills)

And St Cloud is just a stone's throw away from a HUGE crime area in Kissimmee.

Both areas WERE nice at one time…but not so much anymore…that's why my parents left…you couldn't pay me to move back to either area…and I've lived in both.

Traffic in both areas…SUCK…Plan on spending an hour in your car if you want to go to anything.

A good area in Central Florida… that hasn't been affected by the scrouge that is Disney… would be Deland.  Far enough from Orlando…yet close if you want to go to the theme parks… very close to the beaches (Daytona and New Symrna)

West…

Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater is very nice.

Southwest…

Naples/Estero Island also very nice.  I love Estero.  That's where my husband's family has a condo…lots of shopping…Jai lai…and the dog track…excellent retaurants…

South East…

Stuart/Jupiter and Tequesta…

Sandestin up in the panhandle is also beautiful.

Why not consider US Virgin Islands?

Holy Crap Darlene. That is insane.

I've been to Clearwater/Tampa/St.Petes area and love it…might be an option. The rest I would have to check out.

San Diego….not so much. The 4 hour plane ride is a killer and its not driveable. Where as Florida is driveable.

Dean….have you been sniffing Igloo Glue?

As for you Jen….I'll do your windows if you do me….um…a favor. Beat me silly if I ever even consider moving to Minnesotah. I'd die from purple disease.

Dean… Have you been sniffing Igloo Glue??

;O)

Someone just told me I'd never be able to move away from my children or eventual grand children.

I could see that being hard for you… but I also think you'd so love being somewhere warm during the winter.  Just fly the fam down for visits. :)

Austin. Cultural epicenter of Texas. Easy living, lots of youth, lots of things to get involved in. Cedar allergies might affect you in the winter time - Cedar killed me in January a few years ago.

Have you thought about New Mexico or Arizona? I have a friend who has nothing but praise for Tucson, AZ. I think NM is a little more pricey, but it's supposed to be beautiful.

What about the triangle in NC? Raleigh, Durham, Chappel Hill? If forced to move to the southwest, I'd definitely look at the triangle or Hotlanta. And despite my penchant for big cities, I think the triangle would probably win. Smaller towns, lots of culture, great live music and theater scene, relatively inexpensive. Not too far from water.

I'd avoid Florida like the plague, having lived in a smaller town in central Florida for three months. Nice people, terrible climate. Rains every day at 3pm. People look like leather. Almost all the restaurants and stores were chains and franchises.

I was about to suggest Hawaii. But, it seems you're not even willing to fly to San Diego, so I guess Hawaii's out.

I heard that there's a gated community in Florida that's the largest one in the country.  I guess that the female to male ratio is about 10 to 1.  So there's a lot of sex going on…

Just saying.

I am guessing everyone is in a walker?