When given the choice between extreme cold and extreme heat, many of us would be inclined to select the latter. This is particularly true for people who come from areas known for relentlessly snowy, bitterly cold winters. As such, when presented with an opportunity to relocate to a part of the country with more agreeable weather and beach front homes, many people from up north would happily accept. However, living in an area that receives summer-like weather year-round comes with its own set of challenges that transplants are unlikely to fully appreciate right away. So, if you’ll soon be relocating to a perpetually warm area, take care to heed the following pointers from a friend of ours who’s been there and done that!
Tips for Relocating to an Area That’s Warm Year-Round
Make Sure Your New Home is Well-Defended Against the Heat
Depending on how warm an area you’ll be moving to, home cooling measuresf may need to be a priority all year long. As such, if your new locale’s climate can best be described as “endless summer,” you’ll need to make sure that your home is well-defended against the heat. For starters, this means investing in a dependable air conditioning system. The right A/C system will be able to cool your entire residence effectively and efficiently and get you through periods of extreme heat in maximum comfort.
You’ll also need to install high-quality ceiling fans in every area of your home. Good fans will help circulate the cool air produced by your air conditioning, thus taking some of the pressure off the A/C. Additionally, by adjusting their blades to turn counterclockwise, you can imbue your fans with the ability to create cooling breezes that flow directly downward. If you spend a fair amount of time on your porch or patio, you may also want to consider searching for outdoor ceiling fans.
Take Precautions During the Sun’s Peak Hours
Anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors needs to take a number of precautions during daylight. Firstly, any time you intend to spend more than 10 minutes in the sun, you’ll need to apply sunscreen – and make sure to reapply it as often as the packaging recommends. Any part of your body that is exposed to the sun should have sunscreen applied to it. Not only can excessive sun exposure cause considerable skin damage and premature aging, it can also result in heatstroke, skin cancer and other potentially life-threatening ailments.
In addition to using sunscreen, you should wear breathable clothing that offers effective sun protection. Furthermore, take care to wear hats and sunglasses whenever possible. You should also make a point of giving yourself regular breaks from sun exposure. Whenever you start feeling overheated or fatigued, rest up in a cool, shady area until you feel up to going back out.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is a must when dealing with extreme heat. So, regardless of where you happen to be, make sure you have a hydrating drink within easy reach. A resilient water bottle, for example, can be a highly worthwhile purchase for anyone living in a perpetually hot area. I always find if I have a water bottle or cup that makes me smile, I’m more likely to use it and continue using it. So if you find a water bottle in your absolute favorite color? It’s probably worth the splurge- you’ll use it more than one that’s not your favorite.
Search for a Climate-Appropriate Vehicle
You can save yourself a fair amount in fuel costs by purchasing a climate-appropriate vehicle. In states with harsh winters, heavy-duty vehicles are often needed to safely navigate snowy, icy roads. As such, there’s little wonder as to why trucks and SUVs are so abundant in these parts of the country. Unfortunately, such vehicles generally don’t have much to offer in terms of fuel-efficiency, and if you’re living in a state with favorable driving conditions year-round, you probably don’t have much need for a supersized automobile. Getting rid of your gas-guzzler in favor of something more affordable and fuel-efficient can be a boon to your personal finances, as well as your carbon footprint.
Those of us who hail from areas known for frigid, snowy winters are endlessly intrigued by the idea of bidding farewell to uncomfortably cold weather. After all, you can only shovel so much snow, suffer so many ice-assisted tumbles and bundle up in so many layers before you’ve had enough. While there are certainly advantages to living in parts of the country that are warm year-round, it should be understood that the people living in those areas face their own set of weather-related challenges.
Are you considering moving to warmer climate? Check out these tips before relocating to an area that’s warm year round- and add any of your own suggestions in the comments!