Climate Change: Finding Your Ideal Destination

by | Feb 14, 2022 | Global | 1 comment

‘There are “hot weather people” who are perpetually in search of sand, sea, and sun. Then there are those “cold weather people” who crave crisp mountain air and fresh snow powder. And then there are those finicky individuals who search the globe looking for the perfect climate.

Eileen:
While it might seem a little silly to base as important a decision where to live on the climate, don’t we all do it on some level? Growing up in Vermont, I never realized there was a magical place called Phoenix that we eventually moved to, where it didn’t snow in winter and you could swim in your backyard pool all year long. And my frigophobia (and, yes, that is a proper word) seems to influence our travel decisions to this day.

Mike:

If you love snow-peaked mountains By Eileen Brill Wagner
If you love snow-peaked mountains By Eileen Brill Wagner

As opposed to you, I grew up enjoying winter with my years of skiing and playing ice hockey. But it’s still a change when there is sometimes no apartment heat in places like Cuzco, Peru where the night-time temperature can get as low as the mid-30s F. I like using Weatherbase when planning travel to know when is the best time of year to be in our next city.

Eileen:
And at the risk of sounding “high maintenance” (quiet, Mike!) there’s also such a thing as a place being too warm—or at least too humid.

My hair, normally straight and well-behaved, curled in violent protest to the weather in both Cartagena, Colombia and Hanoi, Vietnam.

While those two were among our favorite cities to visit, they were out of the running for any longer-term stays since walking down the street meant being bathed in sweat.

Mike:
Even with all of that planning, we sometimes end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I will never forget my 60th birthday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, when suddenly Hurricane Patricia headed straight for us. It was a powerful storm that required everyone to evacuate. Fortunately, it missed our beach, but a friend joked that it required a hurricane to blow out all of my birthday candles.

Eileen:

Surf's up!
Surf’s up! By Eileen Brill Wagner

Of course, it’s not just the temperature you need to be aware of. In some countries, there is a major difference between the dry and rainy seasons.

At best, the rainy season can make life uncomfortable and, at worst, it can cause life-threatening flooding and make road travel impossible. Weatherbase can also provide you with that kind of information.

Mike:
And then there is Medellin, Colombia nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring.” The average high is low 80s F and the average low mid-60s F year-round—near perfect. It’s no coincidence that it’s on our shortlist of places we’d choose for a longer stay.

Weather or not? Does the climate play a role in your decision-making process? We’d love to hear from you.

by: Eileen and Mike Wagner