Perhaps I should move someplace overseas, where the weather is warmer and the cost of living lower. Then I think about health issues. I have a couple of medical specialists I see on a regular basis, and I really don't want to have to worry about finding a good retina specialist in say, Spain or Portugal or Costa Rica.
How about southeastern Africa? I love visiting Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania. But I don't think I could adjust to living there.
Perhaps I would like Florida. No, too much violence, not to mention the threat of hurricanes. And don't forget the bugs!
I can definitely eliminate the South (bugs, heat, humidity and I don't like the Bible Belt way of thinking). I spent three years in Texas, and I can say that part of the country isn't for me.
The Northeast? Oh, no, it's far too cold and snowy there. I don't ski or ice skate, and I have no desire to spend time outside in the snow.
The Pacific Northwest? It's beautiful, but that part of the country gets a lot of rain. That would make me depressed.
As someone who doesn't swim, doesn't fish and doesn't particularly enjoy boating, beach life has no appeal to me.
I love lots of sunshine, warm temperatures and low humidity. I also prefer less populated locales. I liked the weather in California, but it's too crowded and expensive for a retiree.
So that leaves the Southwest, where I have lived for the past 9 years. I love my house, which has wonderful views of the Sandia Mountains. I love the privacy my 1/2-acre lot provides. I love the sunshine and the low humidity. How low? As low as 5 percent! The Southwest is good, but not just anyplace in the Southwest will do. I have realized that my happy place must include mountains. Fortunately, most of America's West and Southwest does include mountains. As John Muir once said, "The mountains are calling and I must go."
So for now, I will stay where I am, happily enjoying 300 days of sunshine, low humidity, clean air and amazing mountains.
What about you? Where is your happy place?
No comments:
Post a Comment