Retirement...Florida or Arizona

[jeffjeney]

Hello everyone, just looking for some opinions. My wife and I are looking to retire in next 2 years but still have no clue where. We love to ride and know it will be Arizona or Florida. Arizona gets hot, but I know it is great riding most of the time. We like the idea of Florida because we love to cruise also. Our problem is the rain in Florida, looking at weather it shows that it rains almost every day, also very humid. We have been looking in Winter Haven /Ocala areas, but would not work if all we end up doing is riding in rain every day. Opinions???

 

[2006gold]

Arizona for me. Lived in a desert environment once and really liked the low humidity, the cool nights, and knowing a good soak down during the day every now and then kept one cool. A good trick is soaking down a snow mobile suit or heavy coveralls for riding. You'll practically freeze. I lived in Florida also for a time and the rot inducing humidity along with the heat was flat miserable. Oh, and the freaking bugs!!! Plus, some of the most spectacular thunderstorms you'll could ever experience.

 

[GrandpaDave]

Our plan is south in the winter and north in the summer. We have met a number of folks this summer in the upper Midwest campgrounds that are from Texas, Florida, California and Arizona to mention a few that leave the south in May to June and travel across the northern states over the summer and head back to the south in mid - late fall. They are hauling their trikes or bikes with them and exploring the whole country. Best of luck sorting out what you want to do.

 

[alienwulf]

Use to go to Florida a lot for work..Hot Humid and yes there are very large bugs there. Rains every day for sure. I would pick Az weather Hot yes but dry heat and it has nice weather mountains even snow Flagstaff in the winter. And taxes are good for retirement. IMO

 

[Bikerbozo]

My parents retired to AZ. Just north of Tucson(Saddlebrooke). Having visited there plenty of times on my bikes/trike, it's where me and the missus plan to retire.
Florida has to much humidity, alligators, red ants, bigger bugs, black panthers(Ft. Myers area) and crazy drivers and toll roads.

 

[tbear]

retirement?

I have lived in Arizona and now go to Florida to visit my daughters family. I live in Michigan now. Like most of the riders here say---ARIZONA. I would find a place where there is less desert area like the NW area. :Coffee:
Good Luck .........................

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Neither
Check out Gulf ShoresThumbUp

 

[Ed Hobgood]

There are so many things to consider such as do you like the beach and things that go along with it like deep sea fishing. Do you like riding in the hills and mountain area. I to would like to move south at least for the winter months it seams to be the best of both worlds. Good luck with your retirement and your decision.

 

[Doc*]

I have been retired 23 years and we spent 21 winters in Florida (usually about 6 or 7 months in Naples) and the remainder of the year on a lake in Indiana 11 of those years and Alabama 10 years). We truly enjoyed those 21 years and the great times at the beach as well as fishing in the Pine Island area. I would not go to Florida if I had to spend the entire year there (Winter nice Summer miserable). We were not there during rainy season. We now live full time on a lake in Central Alabama (hot Summers here) but decent winters, good riding and on a lake. We are too old to move now but I think if we did I would like to try Arizona. Hope this helps. Ride Safe. Doc ThumbUp

 

[paws]

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TEXAS

Native Texan here.

TExas offers a LOT,

We have humidity, beautiful green woods and fields, gorgeous wildflower rides, dry desert heat, hills, snow/ice, rain, wind, mountains, rivers, ocean, lakes, bugs, hunting, fishing, and lots of Tex-Mex food, BBQ, seafood, and good hospitals...MD Anderson and Baylor/Scott and White. We have lonely rural roads and busy interstates. Excellent winter riding temps especially from the hill country area and south. Yes summers are HOT all over the state but early morning rides, then swimming and finally air conditioning are the remedies.

Yep, staying right here where we have it all.

 

[trike lady]

I lived in Florida for 30 years, I got tired of the humidity, bugs and hurricanes. Plus the high electric bill to run the ac all summer.
If you want hot/dry climate think New Mexico too.
I had read an article a few days ago on Yahoo News on the Top 10 Retirement States and Wyoming welcomes retirees. I've only got 15 months before I can retire and go somewhere nice. epper:

 

[Rod69]

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TEXAS
Native Texan here.
TExas offers a LOT,
We have humidity, beautiful green woods and fields, gorgeous wildflower rides, dry desert heat, hills, snow/ice, rain, wind, mountains, rivers, ocean, lakes, bugs, hunting, fishing, and lots of Tex-Mex food, BBQ, seafood, and good hospitals...MD Anderson and Baylor/Scott and White. We have lonely rural roads and busy interstates. Excellent winter riding temps especially from the hill country area and south. Yes summers are HOT all over the state but early morning rides, then swimming and finally air conditioning are the remedies.
Yep, staying right here where we have it all.

Texas sounds pretty good to me. Sister lives outside of Abilene.

 

[Shimpy]

This is my 63rd year in Florida. Summers are hot and humid. Winters(our riding season) are perfect. In summer we ride to breakfast and get home around noon. Usually the thunder storms in summer start around 2 pm. Winter is dry season and never a problem unless a front goes thru. Many would have you believe that you have to dodge alligators but you have to look for them to find where they are. Just don't swim in lakes. I would stay away from south Fla. unless you speak spanish, and the riding is on flat, straight roads. I live in north central Florida just south of Ocala and we have much better riding, shorter summers and cooler winters than S Fla. Lows can go as low 28 degs.(rare) but will warm up to the 60's by noon. We ride from the Atlantic to the Gulf.
Since you have 2 years to make up your mind, try both places and see what you like.

 

[Gorilla]

I have lived in the Key Largo Fl. for 18 years and love it. Yes it is hot in late summer and yes it rains during the rainy season. You adapt and love it.

 

[jeffjeney]

Thanks

Thanks everyone for your opinions, lots to think about. We are going to Arizona the 2nd week of October and checking out some places, then going to Florida over Thanksgiving break to check a few places in Winter Haven and also in Ocala.

 

[tbear]

Thanks everyone for your opinions, lots to think about. We are going to Arizona the 2nd week of October and checking out some places, then going to Florida over Thanksgiving break to check a few places in Winter Haven and also in Ocala.

Good Idea.

 

[Gone2Three]

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TEXAS
Native Texan here.
TExas offers a LOT,
We have humidity, beautiful green woods and fields, gorgeous wildflower rides, dry desert heat, hills, snow/ice, rain, wind, mountains, rivers, ocean, lakes, bugs, hunting, fishing, and lots of Tex-Mex food, BBQ, seafood, and good hospitals...MD Anderson and Baylor/Scott and White. We have lonely rural roads and busy interstates. Excellent winter riding temps especially from the hill country area and south. Yes summers are HOT all over the state but early morning rides, then swimming and finally air conditioning are the remedies.
Yep, staying right here where we have it all.

Dang! Couldn't have said this any better. Texas has it all. Native Texan here, y'all come join us...

 

[DJFaninTN]

Florida is full .....



sorry.

 

[Dockem]

Thanks everyone for your opinions, lots to think about. We are going to Arizona the 2nd week of October and checking out some places, then going to Florida over Thanksgiving break to check a few places in Winter Haven and also in Ocala.

You may have to visit these areas at different times of the year to get a feel for the climate. It may also take a few years of vacay or visits before you settle on your favorite locale.
Every area has pluses and minuses to contend with, it just depends what you are willing to accept as reasonable. There are few "perfect" places year round.

The wife and I are also "looking" and favor central Florida right now. We've been there numerous times year round. Been there when it was below 32* in the winter and then when the summer was cooler than up north. Go figure.

Your living accomodations will play a big part in your happiness with your decision. And, you may decide to be a part time resident rather than year round.

Good luck!

 

[txlander]

Yeah, I thought that when I retired I would leave my native Texas and move to some place up north. You know, like Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota where the winters are so pleasant. Yeah, right. Who retires from the south and moves up north? I think any place along the southern border would be nice (except Cali.) I think any humidity would probably be better than 9 months of snow. Any place west of central Texas, the humidity is not so bad. At least not for a boy raised in Houston. But 12 month riding time in Florida has a nice ring to it, too. In time you will acclimate to either place. Good luck on your choice.

 

[jjvw]

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TEXAS
Native Texan here.
TExas offers a LOT,
We have humidity, beautiful green woods and fields, gorgeous wildflower rides, dry desert heat, hills, snow/ice, rain, wind, mountains, rivers, ocean, lakes, bugs, hunting, fishing, and lots of Tex-Mex food, BBQ, seafood, and good hospitals...MD Anderson and Baylor/Scott and White. We have lonely rural roads and busy interstates. Excellent winter riding temps especially from the hill country area and south. Yes summers are HOT all over the state but early morning rides, then swimming and finally air conditioning are the remedies.
Yep, staying right here where we have it all.

We love our Michigan but can't wait until we get to the Texas Hill Country for the winter!

 

[paws]

We love our Michigan but can't wait until we get to the Texas Hill Country for the winter!

Hope ya'll are coming early enough to make the Hill
Country Gathering at Kerrville ..... Weekend of October 6, 7, 8, 9.
Clint has it listed in the events here on TrikeTalk.
Some good rides are scheduled and right now there's about 62 or so folks on the list.

 

[desertclassic]

Being an Army guy, and working for the govt, I have lived a lot of places in the world. Best place ever, Alaska. Second best, Las Cruces, NM. Worst place, DC. Second worst, Kansas. Jim

 

[bikerbillone]

Hello everyone, just looking for some opinions. My wife and I are looking to retire in next 2 years but still have no clue where. We love to ride and know it will be Arizona or Florida. Arizona gets hot, but I know it is great riding most of the time. We like the idea of Florida because we love to cruise also. Our problem is the rain in Florida, looking at weather it shows that it rains almost every day, also very humid. We have been looking in Winter Haven /Ocala areas, but would not work if all we end up doing is riding in rain every day. Opinions???

I live about 20 mins from Winter Haven, a very nice place to retire, not many miles from any outing you'd like, but I'm sure you've checked that. Don't let the 'rain thing' deter you, not that much rain here. I've ridden in the Phoenix area, man it was hot, with a camel back, I don't think I would have survived that ride. AZ is a dry heat, I mean heat, FL is hot and humid, most get used to in, some don't, but you can schedule a ride any time you want.

 

[jjvw]

Hope ya'll are coming early enough to make the Hill
Country Gathering at Kerrville ..... Weekend of October 6, 7, 8, 9.
Clint has it listed in the events here on TrikeTalk.
Some good rides are scheduled and right now there's about 62 or so folks on the list.

We would love to attend but it will still be deer hunting season here and the spring event, it's spring here too.

 

[TGCarol]

I love Florida

Yes, it's hot and humid in the summer here. That's for a relatively short time though. Most of the year is just gorgeous. When all of the northern states are grey and cold for the winter, we are green and beautiful with some of the clearest night skies around. For every scorching hot summer month, we have three amazing ones. No smog, ocean breezes and some pretty great riding.

Somebody stop me. I could go on and on and on.......

 

[bikerbillone]

There ya go TG, good promotion. Someone mentioned red ants, no problem, fire ants, there's a problem, but controllable. There just ain't no perfect place, and I too am too old to move.

 

[Gorilla]

Key Largo is close to perfect if you can afford the home. I was lucky to buy before they went up.

 

[Ed Hobgood]

Ted, I would love it down your way but I'm afraid I would spend to much time in Key West at Margaritaville. Then again, what am I thinking...

 

[bikerbillone]

Key Largo is close to perfect if you can afford the home. I was lucky to buy before they went up.

What, a mod in Key Largo? I have a new respect for mods, KL is a fine place.