Climate

If the winters weren't too cold for my taste, I'd give it a *5*.

I grew up in the Northwest, so after living in Florida for two years, I can say I would never want to stay. Not to say there aren't good things about it. I agree that the winter months are great, but they don't last long enough. It starts getting into the 80s as early as March and lasts well into December. I miss the seasons, and it is like I have been on the longest "vacation" ever since I arrived, as the heat never really goes away. And then when you think you get relief in the evening (which in the summer it gets down maybe in the upper 70s at night), the mosquitoes come out to greet you in swarms, bug spray or not! I also wish that Florida had some rolling hills or Mountains, which is something I valued from the Northwest, and even Hawaii (to compare the two tropical climates). I am a person who loves hiking and outdoor recreation, so it is hard to find those kind of activites here. There are a lot of forest parks which is great, but the bugs can be a little too hard to bear. I wore long-sleeved clothing during the middle of summer, and bug sprayed myself and still got eaten alive at one of the state parks near the beach. Cost of living is lower, which is nice. Home prices are lower, which is great for moving here, but can be risky if the market goes down for someone wanting to move out. If you like constant heat,and staying in your air conditioned house most of the year, this is the place to be.

Ive lived in Florida and Ive lived in Las Vegas, Nevada. I've experienced both dry heat (Vegas) humidity. I will take humidity any day. Plus the terrain and trees, grass, and flowers in Florida are beautiful. The Climate is awesome.

Great for winter months, unbearable in summer. Go to Miami in July and you will feel the heat!
Wow! Way too humid. The winter months are paradise, not too hot.

The only place I have actually enjoyed a place featuring year round warm weather was the two years I lived in Hawaii. They don't call it paradise for nothing. Now, Florida is another kettle of fish. Humid to the max and blisteringly hot. I'm fair skinned and humidity can easily turn me into a screeching banshee. Since I have no desire to live in the South Pacific, I'm better off in the mid-west or the north - not because I like cold weather but because apparently the climate keeps me sane to a certain degree.

I don't think those who love winter, or are fans of big seasonal change would be excited about living in great weather year round, but I really wouoldn't mind.

I spent a couple high school summertimes in Orlando and man, they were pretty brutal. I had new blood blisters on my ears almost every day. Yes I applied suntan lotion but I was sweating so much it wore off. It does make for some beautiful nights though.

Well, it's the end of January. And I have my windows open because the temperature outside is nice. I went to the beach and got a tan . . . in October. How can I complain? The only reason I don't give this a "5" right off is because I can't really judge until summer hits, since I haven't been here for a full year yet.