Alternatives to California

Based on what Bill mentioned about his preference for the climate in California versus Florida, I can only say that I understand what he is talking about. Having been to California (I am from Norway) I can only say that it is one of the most beautiful and weatherly pleasing geographies in the world. In fact, there is a very special name for the climate in California. There are only a few other places in the world that have climates like it, and, basically, they are perfect for growing wine grapes.

The name of this type of climate is called Mediterranean, characterized by warm (or hot) and dry summers but relatively mild/cool winters, sufficiently cold to initiate leaf shedding (fall).

Mediterranean climate – Wikipedia

The Wikipedia article has a nice map over the places where you can find such a climate. If you are looking for warm summer (i.e. not hot) type mediterranean climates, there is in addition to California: Northern-eastern spain/portugal South-western and southern Australia, parts of Chile/Argentina, Venezuela, Southern tip of South Africa, and parts of Ethiopia. You might be surprised about Venezuela and Ethiopia since they are basically tropical countries, but they are high-altitude landscapes. Caracas essentially has nice Californian climate all year round.

Now, in case you haven’t noticed, the thing that all of these places have in common is that they are socialist hell holes. This tells you a lot of what you need to know about human nature: paradise attracts snakes. Food putrifies in warm climates because vermin and parasites thrive.

As someone who travels regularly to Spain, I can say that there are many places in the world where it is possible to go for several months per year with perfect climate. One solution to living in a warm place like Florida is to not stay there all the time, but to e.g. have a summer house in a cooler part of the world. My travel schedule is basically the following:

• Winter in Southern Norway (cold but not too cold)
• Fall and Spring in Spain (perfect climate, like California)
• Summer in Northern Norway (Arctic summers are fantastic)

For me, this migratory style of living makes it easy for me to endure bad weather. Works well for me.