Moving to a "warm climate" versus staying put in a colder one ?

[steve2470]

I've always heard that it's "easier" for an elderly person to live in a warmer climate (Florida, southern Texas, Arizona, etc) than in a colder one. Is that really true or exaggerated ?

[ohiosmith]

1. It is for me. Been in Vegas eleven years and love it.

[steve2470]

2. very cool !

[edhopper]

3. I know quite a few elderly folks

living to a ripe old age here in the Northeast. Live where you are happy. For me I wouldn't live in Florida if they paid me. And texas...don't get me started.

[RebelOne]

4. Do not move to Florida unless you like lots of bugs or extreme humid heat. n/t

[dimbear]

5. Agree 100% with that. The elderly can be essentially locked inside all winter.

Don't forget a slip on the ice for a youngster means an owie, but for an oldster can be fatal.

Better than any of the places you mentioned: California. IMHO.

Another big consideration: heating costs. Can be cruel up north.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. I think that it depends on the person.

Some people will exercise if the weather is good enough, and in a snowy, cold area, they will just stay in the house. And cold weather can cause some problems like arthritis to be much worse, so being away from the cold helps them be more comfortable. And there is also the problem with always being cold that some of us old people have. So if you are cold at 70 degrees, you are unbearably cold at 10 degrees. And if you have ice and snow a lot of the winter, most older people do not feel comfortable driving, so they end up stuck in the house all winter.

However, the places that you are suggesting are extreme in the summer, which can cause a whole new set of problems.

[rurallib]

7. gets harder to outrun the gators as you age

besides, the cold areas are getting warmer, and soon the warm areas will be freaking hot.