DISQUS

SaveBuyLive · 7 months ago

I can't prove that happiness is directly proportional to warm days. Although I personally believe it is. But the incidence of seasonal affective disorder drops as you move to lower latitudes.

So while days with more sun (and thus more warmth) won't necessarily make you happy, they are less likely to make you miserable. And I'll take neutral over miserable any day.

Curmudgeon · 7 months ago

At least we have four seasons, Steve. Now, you only have one-and-a-half.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

It's an old book (1990s), and I don't think she really nailed it, but you might want to pick up a copy of Annalee Saxenian's Regional Advantage. As an academic with experience in both, she compared the relative cultural advantages of Silicon Valley and the Boston area as incubators of high technology business. One of the more relevant conclusions was that you were more likely to take an entrepreneural risk in Silicon Valley than Boston. In the Valley, if you failed and had to sleep on a park bench, at least you wouldn't freeze to death.

Enrique S · 7 months ago

When I was a kid, my friends and I spent all day outside, playing baseball, swimming, bike riding, etc. Nowadays, my neighborhood is quiet, although there are plenty of kids here. They're either at summer camp, or holed up in their rooms playing video games or surfing the internet. So much for progress. I wouldn't trade my "primitive" childhood for all of the gadgets in the world.

Tom · 7 months ago

I had a happy childhood as well, even though we were very poor growing up.
I had tremendous freedom to do what I want (because I could handle it) and I was out and about constantly. I didn't need too much money to have fun.
As for the weather, it was rarely cold here in BC, Canada but it rained constantly.
At least you don't have to shovel the rain.

Medela metro bag · 7 months ago

This is really very interesting read, I will definitely share this article with others as well to encourage them. Thanks for covering this topic.

Debra

bubelah · 7 months ago

I will add a few words "for" having winter - I love snow to some degree, mostly first few times it snows in winter. It's beautiful, it's calming, it's charming. That's it. After that it's old news. I enjoyed skiing as well but that was before I had kids. We had fun time going outside with our son and played in the snow and built a snowman. Most of the time we spent indoors, though, because of our infant daughter. Try to bundle everybody up for half an hour only to spend 15 minutes outdoors. When we had only one baby (read before baby can walk, after they learn to walk they don't want to sit still) I would take him for a walk in a stroller on a cold winter day. I was the only freak walking outside. Everybody saw me out their windows and knew it was ME.
We used to say good-byes at the playground in November for the winter. "See you in 6 months" - we would say. We did organize playdates here and there but not everyday. Anyway, it's not all black and white. So, for all you people staying behind, don't be too jealous, just a little bit.

ctreit · 7 months ago

I can see where you are coming from, but I have had a different experience. I grew up in a climate with a nice and often long winter. I had a happy childhood, too, spending lots of time outside all year long. These days I shovel snow at home, since I am the dad of the house, but I still get almost as excited about the first snow as I did when I was a kid. I love the snow and mountains neither one of which can be found in Florida, which is why I won't be found living in Florida. Different strokes for different folks. Enjoy your life in Florida!

Fargo · 7 months ago

I grew up here in upstate NY, I lived in Polk County, Florida for 6 years but recently moved back to the mother land. I do miss the beach more than anything but nothing beats 4 seasons :)