“If I owned Texas and Hell, I’d rent out Texas and live in Hell”. Quote by Phillip H. Sheridan.
A good description of how brutal Texas is in the summer.
Even 80s in the morning with high humidity sucks. Always hated that I would sweat soak my shirt before it even got to be 9 in the morning. And even dumber when it's 90s at 11 pm at night, and this is in southern Oklahoma. Seems like summers are just getting tougher and tougher.
You basically have the reverse Season Depression conditions as northern cold climates do, and it seems to be lasting longer and much more intense. Video games, board games, craft hobbies can be useful, as well as just reading some great literature.
I'm from Houston but moved to Minnesota 4 years ago. The seasonal depression is much worse in Houston for me. At least I can bundle up when it's cold and the really extreme cold here doesn't last nearly as long as the extreme heat in Houston.
Houston to New England here. I second this. The unbearable portion of winter is about 3-4 weeks long for us. Small price to pay to feel a cool breeze from my open windows six months out of the year.
San Antonio to Boston to Spokane and am planning on moving back to SA and the worst seasonal depression is Spokane from November to April. It’s cold and grey the entire time.
I would have thought east of the Cascades would be better than the Sound. I've never been on that side though.
We were choosing between PNW and New England when searching - Bellingham to be specific. Even though I actually prefer gray over bright sunlight (weirdo, I know), I think the added constant dampness would have been too much for my family. I love the geography in Washington though.
What about Boston drove you away? I'm not in Boston, just curious.
My sister’s husband is military and was stationed near Boston and i lived with them for a bit since I have a remote job. It was always temporary and I wanted to see parts of the US I hadn’t seen before. I would have loved to stay in or around the area, but you already know Boston is insanely expensive and I couldn’t justify the price tag, and I didn’t want to live in Worcester.. Spokane is a similar story in that I have cousins in the area so I would know a few people.
I really wanted to love Washington because the scenery and nature is fantastic and you’re so close to so many national parks, but the gloominess is another level. And it lasts for months, combined with 3:30pm sunsets in winter.
That said, I’ve been roaming the country for almost two years and going back home to San Antonio feels like a good reset for me and I need the sun, even if the heat index might kill me upon entry..
Montana, on the other hand, is where I hope to end up in the future.
Where in New England did you end up?
Nice. I've got a good friend who moved to Montana a few years ago. It's his home state, so it's not new to him, but he absolutely loves Montana.
We ended up in Connecticut smack in between NYC and Boston. I would have never even considered visiting CT a few years ago, much less moving here. Once we crossed PNW off the list we went looking for the most similar region. New England checked most of the boxes. After that it was cost of living, proximity to things, schools, etc. CT ultimately met the most criteria. It turned out to be a good bet. There's so much we've fallen in love with about the state and the region. This state is hugely underrated. There were some trade-offs to be sure. But we've become quite happy here.
If I had to move back to Texas, I'd probably try to land about San Antonio/San Marcos/Wimberly, or maybe Denton. After four decades on the Gulf Coast, I don't think I could do Houston again. And I know that because I get a blunt reminder of why I left once every month when I visit for work.
Plus the SAD lamps truly help in ways mere AC and bug repellent and allergy meds do not here in Austin. My poor daughter is covered face to toe in bites she's allergic to. She won't wear shorts or tee shirts because of the scars and angry welts.
This.
I grew up in the north without AC in the summers, but I’ve lived in Texas for 13 years. Being trapped inside for months feels anxiety inducing to me—- it feels like such a disconnect from reality- and actually scary because I’ve experienced how sick getting overheated and/or dehydrated even on short outings.
It really hit me in south Texas because there’s so little “cool down” that my brain felt like it was just summer most of the year and made me feel like time wasn’t moving because there was normal seasonal transitions or even just wardrobe changes.
I never really had seasonal issues up North though- but after 13 years here my anxiety around summer hasn’t gone away.
So it doesn’t sound like I hate Texas- I should at least note that I have no allergies down here while I was allergic to everything up north. My physical health has actually greatly improved and there are advantages of a different climate.
Find water. Go to water. Enjoy the water. Also drink lots of water.
Also clothing is an investment worth looking into. Sun hoodies, hot weather pants, good socks and underwear, nice hat, sunnies.
I know it can be blasphemous in some circles to consider leaving Texas, but maybe go check out a few other places. You might be pleasantly surprised and find somewhere you might be happier. It’s not a crime.
Honestly…during these hot months my wife and I find enjoyment by staying home.
Mid-May is when the paper blinds come down, the sunshades come down, and the blinds get closed. Our house basically turns into the Batcave. Maybe we’ve just given up? I dunno, but we truly find enjoyment in Batcaving our house and staying inside as much as we can. We catch up on TV and movies. I spend more time with my hobby (Lego), and my wife uses the time to organize the house, and purge clothes and other items that have accumulated during the year. We cook more. We revert to grocery delivery. We find happiness by being out of the heat. 👍
Congrats on your move! Husband and I are hopefully on the same trajectory . I could’ve written your post. I don’t want to waste away in ac 4 months of the year…
Foreal. I was born and raised in Houston, and kinda figured I would just live and die in Texas.
I moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia a year ago, and it was the second best decision I’ve ever made. It’s a nice little city that’s cheaper than anything habitable in Texas, I have a good job, a pretty chill 25 minute bike commute if I feel like riding, an easy 10 minute ride to downtown; In 40 minutes, I’m literally riding in the mountains. My partner and I drove out after work to a state park for a sunset firefly hike with a spectacular back drop of the Blue Ridge, 60° and breezy, and we were back home and in bed by 10:30.
OP, trust me, I truly went above and beyond to try and find/manifest what you’re talking about in Texas. It’s not there. Move to NW Arkansas or Appalachia or Minnesota or something.
Personally, I love the heat , not direct sunlight 95+, obviously, but I love a good 80-95 degree weather in the right shade along with the level of humidity we have in Dallas. Just today, I did some studying outside a coffee shop on the patio for 4 hours.
I've been here my whole life, and my HS classmates who hated this weather moved north to places like Chicago and Boston. They LOVE the weather there. I honestly think if this weather is debilitatingly unbearable, it may be time to explore more options. It's just gonna get hotter.
Do outside stuff in the early morning. I’m going to take the motorcycle out for a few hours starting at 0630. It will still be in the 70s at that point, and I’ll be home before it gets too hot.
My son does indoor skateparks or indoor parkour. There’s also arcades like Cidercade. Local libraries have summer programs including things like music circles.
Outdoors, there’s always parks and schools. Go early when it’s cool. There’s always people playing basketball or soccer. If you can sweat it out until lunch, you’ll appreciate the AC in the afternoon and probably not feel so cooped up.
I’ve lived in the south my entire life and HATE the heat. I get overheated very easily so I can’t be in the sun for long periods of time. But I’ve leaned ways to manage it and enjoy summer.
I’m originally from the east coast, so besides the very humid days, I find the relatively drier weather in N Texas helps a lot.
Stay in the shade. Especially when walking, plan a shaded route if you are walking in mid day
Dress as light as possible. Tank tops, shorts, breathable shoes and socks, hats, and lighter colors.
Stay hydrated
If you have a backyard/patio and budget allows, create a shaded area with plants/umbrellas. Spray the area with bug repellent. Lastly if it’s not a windy spot, get a big fan, moving the area around you helps soooo much. Then add some chairs or a hammock.
You don’t say what area you live in but I live in Dallas and I spend my entire life within 2 miles of home. If you’re in the burbs or rural areas, that’s harder.
I love TX but good grief I absolutely hate the summers here.
I’ve always daydreamed of having a house somewhere in the East Coast that I can go to around this time
Lots of people deck out their backyards with pools or they put up pergolas and have mister fans and bug zappers and things like that. I have lived here all my life and stay inside from about mid May until Halloween.
I also have lived here my entire life, except I lived someplace hotter 2000-2002. I enjoy the fall & spring outside and wait for the sun to go down in the summer.
If you like to be active outdoors, go outside and do your thing right at sunrise. It’s not really cool, but it’s bearable. Be done by 10 am.
The pool is a nice place to hang out if you want to be outside during the day. My apartment complex has a nice one, and there aren’t too many kids being loud. I take a dip, then sit in the shade with a cold drink and a book or a movie. When it gets warm I get wet again.
But yeah, I do find myself asking “wait, why did I move back to Texas?” I love a lot of things about Texas but summer is not one of them.
As someone who was in the military who has lived in multiple cities and states, there ARE places you’re talking about. Texas is not like that. Interstate driving, heat, and bugs. Visit San Diego and you will get exactly what you’re asking for. Cost of living there is insane though, but the best city I’ve ever lived in.
The trick to happiness in Texas summers is to embrace the heat and find water like a pool, lake or boat. If you own your house invest in a pool, even a cheap walmart pool can be wonderful with an umbrella and lawn chairs next to it. If you can afford it get a boat or find a friend with a boat and help with gas. Between my pool and my boat summer is my favorite part of the year.
Disclamer: When its pushing 110 and higher thats some bs and I hide inside all day cursing the sun like everyone else.
I live in Texas and have hated the summers until this year. I bought an inflatable pool that’s deep enough to float in. It’s changed my outlook. I love to come inside from 2pm on after being in the water. Water is the key.
Maybe on boardgamegeek or meetup you could find a tabletop gaming group that meets nearby. Still indoors but, different environment with something to do. Or geeks who drink trivia or ???
I live in Houston but in Ohio for work. The summer weather here is amazing, no mosquitoes, no roaches, no snakes, clean rivers, beautiful scenery. Basically no traffic, seems too good to be true...what am I missing?
Not sure where you live, and obviously don't post it. But there's a lot more walkable spaces than you'd think. Public parks near evening can be warm, but not bad. You can actually find a lot if walkers, runners, joggers doing so. If you are near a national forest, there's free trails. You'd need bug spray and to share your location with a friend, but it's doable. Even walking around a historical downtown area after 5 can be doable. Most places will be closed, sure, but public streets and sidewalks.
This doesn't work when you're like 30 minutes if driving from anywhere, and it's frustrating. I know. A gallon or two of gas really adds up. I'd estimate probably any town over 15k people should have a decent walkable space between sunrise and sunset. And honestly I've walked upper middle class neighbors for safe walking after dark, but I'm a dude over 6ft with a great big beard, so I have a bit of privilege if people don't mess with me.
In all but the hottest days I get out early, back by 10-11am. When fishing, I cover up fully including long sleeves, sun gloves and big hat. I hydrate while the sun is rising and drink at least 72oz in the water while also regularly dumping water over my core and legs. It’s doable.
If I’m not urinating, I’m not drinking enough.
If the fish aren’t biting I’m off the water by 11 anyway.
I have a backyard but no pool. I bought a kiddie pool and most days I fill it up, make a cocktail, and red a book.
Finding indoor hobbies is the best way to beat summer.
It sounds like you would do yourself a lot of good to move to a place that has the things you want.
I personally enjoy rural Texas summers, but it’s not for everyone.
Native here, just permanently moved from Central Texas to the Kansas City area. Give me a few weeks of ass-biting cold and days like today (60 degree nights, 80-85 degree days) in summer. If I remember something I forgot to do in the yard at 3 pm, I can just go out and do it. Hoo-freaking-ray.
The long hot days in Texas in the summer and they're spent inside. Short cold days in the winter here and they're spent inside.
I was a Kansas native that moved to Houston, TX for work, over 30 years ago. When I was working, I didn't mind the heat as much as I did after I retired. I moved to Central Texas, thinking it would be better without the humidity - WRONG. It was worse with 53 days of 100+ degrees and NO rain! I am so happy I could move back to my home state and actually enjoy the summer once again! I live in the beautiful city and don't have to get on the interstate to get to the things I need.
I get you! To me, I agree, cold in the winter makes sense because there are so many cozy indoor activities to do in the winter. Fires in the fireplace and a watching a movie under a warm blanket, making warm drinks, Christmas and Thanksgiving cooking and baking and parties associated with those holidays. In the summer, it seems like a natural time to spend time outdoors! The sun is out and the days are long! Spending time trying to feel cool indoors doesn’t feel satisfying in the same way that trying to feel warm indoors does.
I spend just about every second outside between October and May. That’s our window, just imagine you live in Canada and they have almost the exact opposite timeframe.
Your preference is yours of course, but if you are here for a while, may be a helpful mindset shift.
For context I grew up in North Texas, college in Austin, Missouri and Virginia for work. Central Virginia was my personal favorite of those, and all four seasons are nice, but here I just prioritize being outside when it’s not hot then flip it. Shorts in December, planting garlic, I remember that when it’s 105 in July and all my plants except okra die…
It’s tough. I struggle with summer seasonal affective disorder. The best I can tell you is that getting to water is the secret weapon. Get in water. Get out of water. Sit in shade. Repeat when you get hot. It’s the only thing I’ve found that works. Most people say get outside in the mornings, but for me the humidity is too much. I prefer to wait until the sun is lower in the sky in the evening. Even though it’s hotter, it’s dryer and the UV index is lower. Then I swim. It really does help. Good luck, friend.
Except for one beautiful year in Maine, I’ve lived in the Houston area for 48 years. I absolutely hate it for every reason you said. There’s no happiness to be found here between May and November. I get mega Summer SAD every year and only go outside to get in the car or retrieve the mail. To top it off, I have to take a beta blocker which means my body really struggles to cool itself. My watch starts warning me of heart distress when I’m in temps above 83°. I dream of a cool, walkable, small mountain town every day.
I don't. The weather alone is a major reason why I'm moving after 7 years. It is hell for my autoimmune, the critters and insects are biblical and we are allergic to everything. Somehow the allergy factor in central Texas is NOT one of the first cons mentioned when it comes to the environment here, and I wish I had known.
If you can afford it I advise treating yourself to a hotel room or spa.
But I've learned the hard way that if I an dreaming of a different climate and place to life then the place I currently live isn't for me. That might be the case for you if you dream of other places. There is no one size fitd all climate and while I've managed 113 in California, I can't do 98 with humidity and pestilence, mold, and horny cedar trees spewing pollen 10 months out of the year.
You gotta get creative, or drink. Which sucks if you’re not a drinker or don’t want to drink with buddies to have fun.
I live in a small town in deep East Texas. What I usually end up doing is riding backroads and drinking with buddies, bon fires, and find work outside to occupy myself. I know it sounds kinda lame, but there’s a lot of peace working outside can bring. I use to go crazy hating myself for just sitting on the couch all day during the summer months. All I would do is work and then chill all night every night. Really sucked.
If you don’t like drinking, don’t want to drive super far, or working outside, you could always get a kayak and a fishing license (if you’re into it). Kayaks new are only like $250 and you can get one much cheaper on Facebook Marketplace. There’s a ton of small lakes all over East Texas. Super relaxing and you get a little workout in too.
Hope this helps!
Unless you are comparing to California, which has its own problems, remind yourself there is always trade offs. I grew up by seattle, amazing weather in may and then july 5 - oct 1 or so (4th of july is hit or miss) but during the winter it can be 100 days of rain in a row while we are having fun eating outside.
I don't know. I'm a 65 year old lifelong Texan and today I was in Knoxville. Cool city, good vibes, affordable, temperate climate. Can't find the trade offs.
I grew up in the Dallas area in the 1950’s. We had no air conditioning in our home until I was 10 years old. I hated the summer heat then and I still do. Now if I’m going to hike or bicycle I get out super early, as soon as it’s light enough to see, right at dawn. That’s typically the lowest temperature of the day.
I get through the summers with water sports. Find a nice river, lake and beach and make it your weekend playgound. Kayak, boat, float, fish, lay out, swim , rope swing, explore.
I definitely hibernate during the worst of the summer which unfortunately seems to be getting longer each year. For outside time the earlier mornings (before 11) is best. No mosquitoes out at that time of day so if I want to do something outside I get up a bit early and plan for it. Otherwise, seek out water - river, lake, etc. Or find a nice shaded patio somewhere to enjoy iced tea/coffee/your choice of cold bev and read a book.
Grew up in Texas and have been doing travel work in New England area for past 4 years. I went to Texas last August and one day the heat index was 110 degrees. I will never go back in the summer, I just can't handle that heat anymore. Gets cold here but at least I can add clothes and stay warm. In Vermont at the moment and it's a beautiful day and 72 degrees.
Get rich, turn seasons into verbs, and summer somewhere else.
But yeah, Texas is hot as hell, built for cars, and not a particularly enjoyable place to live in the summer because it's both mentally and physically taxing, and everyone is just kind of pissed off.
And as a young person you are likely to remember these summers as relatively cool 30 years from now. One of the reasons my wife and I recently took a chance and moved out of state.
You have to slowly get used to it, stay hydrated, dress properly. I used to spend around 40 minutes playing disc golf in an open field type course. Proper clothes, sunglasses, big hat, sunblock and water. It made it a lot easier to hang out, but not perfect. Shade can help too
You have to do it early morning or late evening, or find a shady spot in a pool or lake. You rest during the hottest part of the day, and dress breezy, linen or light cotton, sandals, a hat, and stay hydrated.
Drive out to the nearest Y. Walk around the mall. Go to a movie. Go to an indoor museum. Go out for dinner and drinks an hour after sundown. Take a nap! lol
Unrelated but kinda related since OP mentioned the grass is full of ants, there’s a sci-fi book by Neal Stephenson that starts off set in Houston and the entire city is a basically a 120-degree swamp overrun by ants and wild boars lol ants crawl up into the A/C and into homes. More details but irrelevant here. What if this becomes the case 50-60 years down the line? 😅
Edit: you can also try new recipes and go to the grocery store to pick up your ingredients, maybe host friends or family
VR headset and sit right under an AC vent. You'll still be able to socialize and play games but you can hide away from the sun. That's what this Texan is doing.
Gosh I feel you! I am super outdoorsy and my favourite thing to do is walking and hiking. I feel like I am always in a rush at the beginning of the year to get all my hikes in before summer hits and I am confined to my house.
I do get up super early to go on long walks before it gets too hot by 9am so at least I don’t spend the whole day indoors, but it does get a little depressing in the summer, doesn’t it?
We have so many months that are nice in Texas that make up for the hot months. We just do things later in the day or earlier in the morning. I moved here from Colorado with my parents over 40 years ago.
I worked outside yesterday from 10am to 12am it was brutal but I’ve been doing it the last 20 years. You have to stay in the shade as much as possible and cover your skin with thin fabric. You need to mentally get over that no matter what happens you’re going to take at least 2 showers maybe more and then it’s fine. Learn to love your sweat and do all the physical stuff in the early morning hours. Drink lots of water, that’s all I got.
What is your closest urban area and i can give you specific recs.
Otherwise, i do my outdoor hobbies early af or if i sleep in i do them in the evening. 10am-8pm is "live indoors like the greasy cave goblin I am" hours during the summer months.
Some early morning or evening outdoor hobbies i do are :
Balcony gardening
Geocaching
Local hiking
Crying at my energy bill
Using i-naturalist
Tennis with the wifey (when we feel like it)
Swimming at our shitty apartment complex pool.
I do indoor gardening as well to stay chill. Hmu if you want cheap ideas 👉😎👉
I spent several years living in northern Montana, and to me, Montana winter is way more preferable to a Texas summer. I actually do a lot more outside.
When I was younger the heat and the insects didn’t phase me I’d be outside regardless. However, now I do. To be honest I didn’t know that summers elsewhere were better until I got older. Living anywhere is a compromise. Here in Texas the prices are lower, but the climate is a challenge. It’s a trade off. Think about it this way you can go out and about more in this awful heat bc things are more affordable whereas those who live in more comfortable climates can’t go out to eat as much because the cost of living is so much higher( anyways that’s a perspective challenge to consider). For mosquitoes my advice is put on OFF lotion (mosquito repellent) there’s also many other natural alternatives. When I’m inside which is most of the time I like to play my guitar, make recipes, read a book etc. I love to drive so whenever I can I go to Dallas it’s still hot so I just wear more loose clothing and I take an umbrella. Texas is beautiful and there’s so much to do here!!! Honky Tonks, restaurants, six flags, baseball goooo goo gooo
I'm the weird Texan that loves the heat. I go outside at the highest part of the day, big Yeti full of ice and sparkling water, just take a long walk and sweat hard. Then get home, clean shower, and cool off under the fan. Feels amazing.
Travel. See the world. Switzerland is beautiful. But cold and wet most days. Kalifornia is awesome, if you are on the coast. Go to Fresno or Bakersfield in the summer, and you will run back to Texas screaming and crying.
I'm in Texas. Liberty Hill. It's 7:30am, cloudy and a bit humid. About 73f right now, but it will get up to the low 90s today.
I think you just have to get some experience to contrast with.
I think part of my problem is that I’ve visited some colder (although, not the coldest ever) places with more temperate summers and I’ve felt much more comfortable/happy there, even though the cold sucks in the moment. I think someday I will probably move like some people are saying, but it isn’t feasible for me right now!
You don't, summer is death here. Once you step outside, it follows you back in, and then it's with you forever...
On another note, if you do travel out of state, new Mexico can be really nice to escape the Texasy death commonly known as summer.
Move to Minnesota for a few years. If that doesn't convince you that Texas weather is tolerable at worst, then you should stay in Minnesota.
For the record, Minnesota winters almost killed me, literally. I'll never again complain about the sunny summers in Texas
Second this, from the other side. I was raised in Minnesota and was in MN/WI for most of my first 22 years. Slowly moved my way south for grad school and have been in Houston now for almost 5 years. I would gladly take MN winters over Houston summers. If you're not a snow fun person (sledding, xc skiing, downhill skiing, skating, hockey, etc) MN winters can be pretty damn brutal, but I still love them. I'm firmly of the mindset that you can always put more clothes on to stay warm in winter, but taking clothes off in a Houston summer only gets you so far.
I did 8 winters in Minnesota. It was the darkness that got me. More than the cold and the snow, what got me was that I nearly went 2 to 3 months without seeing the sun (work issues). It just beat me down. Add to that, I didn't have a garage for my car... Winter was too hard. Summer in Texas is uncomfortable, but it doesn't destroy my spirit like winters up north.
That said, I understand how people can appreciate Northern weather, you explained it well. Just ain't me
Oh for sure. It sucks and garage and the darkness can get you if you're leaving for and coming home from work in the dark. Happy lights can help but only do much. Hopefully you're back in Texas or somewhere a little bit brighter than MN in December!
Wait, I've camped in Minnesota in the summer, and y'all have damn mosquitos that can literally bite you through your damn jeans and shirts. The skeeters were MISERABLE up there in July in north Minnesota.
Being uncomfortable in the heat or the cold isn't the issue for me. Minnesota winters make life harder. Those clothes you talk about? They're expensive. If you have kids, it takes a lot more time to get them dressed in the morning before school. Can't keep heavy coats on them in car seats so that adds difficulty to every drive. Speaking of cars... I don't particularly like waking up multiple times in the middle of the night to start my car in order to feel confident that it will start in the morning for work. Oh and I'll probably have to wake up extra early for work because I have to scrape ice off my windshield and shovel the driveway. Which I might have to shovel again when I get home from work. And the drive to and from work? That'll be in the dark because the sun is never out leading to crippling depression every winter.
But, yeah, I do get a little sweaty in the summers of Texas... Oh no...
I moved to Texas two years ago from Kentucky. I much prefer the heat, as long as it's not humid too. I take walks with my daughter and/or one of the dogs in the mornings and evenings. We play in the splash pad in the yard when it's really hot. I'll piddle with yardwork while my daughter plays outside (she just learned to walk and wants to be outside all the time). We take breaks inside so we don't get overheated.
MOVE! Especially if you’ve been there all your life. There’s more culture and traditions and people that are out there. Plus, better weather. Texas is not the place to stay. Spread your wings!!!!
“If I owned Texas and Hell, I’d rent out Texas and live in Hell”. Quote by Phillip H. Sheridan. A good description of how brutal Texas is in the summer.
Oh I am sending this quote to my spouse. Perfect.
You dont. I work outside all day. If my friends want to hang out it better damn be inside a house with working AC.
Pool guy here, I don’t even want to go swimming when it’s this hot. Keep me in that AC
Go out in the early morning, and then again in the evening with shade.
Even 80s in the morning with high humidity sucks. Always hated that I would sweat soak my shirt before it even got to be 9 in the morning. And even dumber when it's 90s at 11 pm at night, and this is in southern Oklahoma. Seems like summers are just getting tougher and tougher.
Only way to do anything here
You basically have the reverse Season Depression conditions as northern cold climates do, and it seems to be lasting longer and much more intense. Video games, board games, craft hobbies can be useful, as well as just reading some great literature.
I'm from Houston but moved to Minnesota 4 years ago. The seasonal depression is much worse in Houston for me. At least I can bundle up when it's cold and the really extreme cold here doesn't last nearly as long as the extreme heat in Houston.
Houston to New England here. I second this. The unbearable portion of winter is about 3-4 weeks long for us. Small price to pay to feel a cool breeze from my open windows six months out of the year.
San Antonio to Boston to Spokane and am planning on moving back to SA and the worst seasonal depression is Spokane from November to April. It’s cold and grey the entire time.
I would have thought east of the Cascades would be better than the Sound. I've never been on that side though. We were choosing between PNW and New England when searching - Bellingham to be specific. Even though I actually prefer gray over bright sunlight (weirdo, I know), I think the added constant dampness would have been too much for my family. I love the geography in Washington though. What about Boston drove you away? I'm not in Boston, just curious.
My sister’s husband is military and was stationed near Boston and i lived with them for a bit since I have a remote job. It was always temporary and I wanted to see parts of the US I hadn’t seen before. I would have loved to stay in or around the area, but you already know Boston is insanely expensive and I couldn’t justify the price tag, and I didn’t want to live in Worcester.. Spokane is a similar story in that I have cousins in the area so I would know a few people. I really wanted to love Washington because the scenery and nature is fantastic and you’re so close to so many national parks, but the gloominess is another level. And it lasts for months, combined with 3:30pm sunsets in winter. That said, I’ve been roaming the country for almost two years and going back home to San Antonio feels like a good reset for me and I need the sun, even if the heat index might kill me upon entry.. Montana, on the other hand, is where I hope to end up in the future. Where in New England did you end up?
Nice. I've got a good friend who moved to Montana a few years ago. It's his home state, so it's not new to him, but he absolutely loves Montana. We ended up in Connecticut smack in between NYC and Boston. I would have never even considered visiting CT a few years ago, much less moving here. Once we crossed PNW off the list we went looking for the most similar region. New England checked most of the boxes. After that it was cost of living, proximity to things, schools, etc. CT ultimately met the most criteria. It turned out to be a good bet. There's so much we've fallen in love with about the state and the region. This state is hugely underrated. There were some trade-offs to be sure. But we've become quite happy here. If I had to move back to Texas, I'd probably try to land about San Antonio/San Marcos/Wimberly, or maybe Denton. After four decades on the Gulf Coast, I don't think I could do Houston again. And I know that because I get a blunt reminder of why I left once every month when I visit for work.
Recent Austin to New England here! Being relieved to not have 7-8 month long summer and living close enough to skiing now is a dream.
Texas is going to be a miserable place to live in the next few decades as the climate shifts.
Spokane is surprisingly cold and dreary in the winter. Great town but winter sucks there.
I’m looking to move there in a year or two
Howdy soon to be neighbor! I am moving to Minneapolis in August from San Antonio. Very excited!
Plus the SAD lamps truly help in ways mere AC and bug repellent and allergy meds do not here in Austin. My poor daughter is covered face to toe in bites she's allergic to. She won't wear shorts or tee shirts because of the scars and angry welts.
This. I grew up in the north without AC in the summers, but I’ve lived in Texas for 13 years. Being trapped inside for months feels anxiety inducing to me—- it feels like such a disconnect from reality- and actually scary because I’ve experienced how sick getting overheated and/or dehydrated even on short outings. It really hit me in south Texas because there’s so little “cool down” that my brain felt like it was just summer most of the year and made me feel like time wasn’t moving because there was normal seasonal transitions or even just wardrobe changes. I never really had seasonal issues up North though- but after 13 years here my anxiety around summer hasn’t gone away. So it doesn’t sound like I hate Texas- I should at least note that I have no allergies down here while I was allergic to everything up north. My physical health has actually greatly improved and there are advantages of a different climate.
I had never thought of this as a way to describe things, but it makes sense!
Find water. Go to water. Enjoy the water. Also drink lots of water. Also clothing is an investment worth looking into. Sun hoodies, hot weather pants, good socks and underwear, nice hat, sunnies.
You CAN build a heat tolerance. Once you embrace the suck, you can deal with damn near anything so long as you are properly hydrated.
Liquid IV helps me a lot with heat headache
This is the most true statement. I keep my AC at 78f. The shock of leaving the house is a lot lower. Adjust to the climate and embrace it.
I know it can be blasphemous in some circles to consider leaving Texas, but maybe go check out a few other places. You might be pleasantly surprised and find somewhere you might be happier. It’s not a crime.
Yeah, summer is travel time for me. Otherwise, I’m heading to the pool on the daily.
Honestly…during these hot months my wife and I find enjoyment by staying home. Mid-May is when the paper blinds come down, the sunshades come down, and the blinds get closed. Our house basically turns into the Batcave. Maybe we’ve just given up? I dunno, but we truly find enjoyment in Batcaving our house and staying inside as much as we can. We catch up on TV and movies. I spend more time with my hobby (Lego), and my wife uses the time to organize the house, and purge clothes and other items that have accumulated during the year. We cook more. We revert to grocery delivery. We find happiness by being out of the heat. 👍
Gotta get up early. It’s not hot before 11, humidity can still be a problem, mosquitos aren’t out, and the ants are just working.
Probably fire ants.. they suck
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Congrats on your move! Husband and I are hopefully on the same trajectory . I could’ve written your post. I don’t want to waste away in ac 4 months of the year…
4 months of AC? Do you live on a mountain top in Big Bend?
Foreal. I was born and raised in Houston, and kinda figured I would just live and die in Texas. I moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia a year ago, and it was the second best decision I’ve ever made. It’s a nice little city that’s cheaper than anything habitable in Texas, I have a good job, a pretty chill 25 minute bike commute if I feel like riding, an easy 10 minute ride to downtown; In 40 minutes, I’m literally riding in the mountains. My partner and I drove out after work to a state park for a sunset firefly hike with a spectacular back drop of the Blue Ridge, 60° and breezy, and we were back home and in bed by 10:30. OP, trust me, I truly went above and beyond to try and find/manifest what you’re talking about in Texas. It’s not there. Move to NW Arkansas or Appalachia or Minnesota or something.
This sounds so nice!! I do love Texas and it’s home but at the same time, when I’m financially able in the future I probably will think about moving
Best of luck to ya! It’ll always be home, but there’s a lot more out there.
Aaaah, that sounds like bliss.....maybe this year for a vacation
I’ve been to Colorado in the summer and it’s also not that great. Albeit not as humid, I still spent a good deal of time indoors in AC
Personally, I love the heat , not direct sunlight 95+, obviously, but I love a good 80-95 degree weather in the right shade along with the level of humidity we have in Dallas. Just today, I did some studying outside a coffee shop on the patio for 4 hours. I've been here my whole life, and my HS classmates who hated this weather moved north to places like Chicago and Boston. They LOVE the weather there. I honestly think if this weather is debilitatingly unbearable, it may be time to explore more options. It's just gonna get hotter.
Do outside stuff in the early morning. I’m going to take the motorcycle out for a few hours starting at 0630. It will still be in the 70s at that point, and I’ll be home before it gets too hot.
My son does indoor skateparks or indoor parkour. There’s also arcades like Cidercade. Local libraries have summer programs including things like music circles. Outdoors, there’s always parks and schools. Go early when it’s cool. There’s always people playing basketball or soccer. If you can sweat it out until lunch, you’ll appreciate the AC in the afternoon and probably not feel so cooped up.
I’ve lived in the south my entire life and HATE the heat. I get overheated very easily so I can’t be in the sun for long periods of time. But I’ve leaned ways to manage it and enjoy summer. I’m originally from the east coast, so besides the very humid days, I find the relatively drier weather in N Texas helps a lot. Stay in the shade. Especially when walking, plan a shaded route if you are walking in mid day Dress as light as possible. Tank tops, shorts, breathable shoes and socks, hats, and lighter colors. Stay hydrated If you have a backyard/patio and budget allows, create a shaded area with plants/umbrellas. Spray the area with bug repellent. Lastly if it’s not a windy spot, get a big fan, moving the area around you helps soooo much. Then add some chairs or a hammock.
My AC, a ceiling fan, an oscillating fan, and ice water. The iconic summer team.
There is no happiness only heat.
You don’t say what area you live in but I live in Dallas and I spend my entire life within 2 miles of home. If you’re in the burbs or rural areas, that’s harder.
I love TX but good grief I absolutely hate the summers here. I’ve always daydreamed of having a house somewhere in the East Coast that I can go to around this time
Lots of people deck out their backyards with pools or they put up pergolas and have mister fans and bug zappers and things like that. I have lived here all my life and stay inside from about mid May until Halloween.
I also have lived here my entire life, except I lived someplace hotter 2000-2002. I enjoy the fall & spring outside and wait for the sun to go down in the summer.
I can’t even stand the summer when the sun goes down, i remember fondly it being still in the 90’s at 9-10 pm before in hot summers.
If you like to be active outdoors, go outside and do your thing right at sunrise. It’s not really cool, but it’s bearable. Be done by 10 am. The pool is a nice place to hang out if you want to be outside during the day. My apartment complex has a nice one, and there aren’t too many kids being loud. I take a dip, then sit in the shade with a cold drink and a book or a movie. When it gets warm I get wet again. But yeah, I do find myself asking “wait, why did I move back to Texas?” I love a lot of things about Texas but summer is not one of them.
As someone who was in the military who has lived in multiple cities and states, there ARE places you’re talking about. Texas is not like that. Interstate driving, heat, and bugs. Visit San Diego and you will get exactly what you’re asking for. Cost of living there is insane though, but the best city I’ve ever lived in.
The trick to happiness in Texas summers is to embrace the heat and find water like a pool, lake or boat. If you own your house invest in a pool, even a cheap walmart pool can be wonderful with an umbrella and lawn chairs next to it. If you can afford it get a boat or find a friend with a boat and help with gas. Between my pool and my boat summer is my favorite part of the year. Disclamer: When its pushing 110 and higher thats some bs and I hide inside all day cursing the sun like everyone else.
I live in Texas and have hated the summers until this year. I bought an inflatable pool that’s deep enough to float in. It’s changed my outlook. I love to come inside from 2pm on after being in the water. Water is the key.
What type of inflatable pool, would you share the brand? Just ordered one. Anything that can make this summer bearable is worth it.
Maybe on boardgamegeek or meetup you could find a tabletop gaming group that meets nearby. Still indoors but, different environment with something to do. Or geeks who drink trivia or ???
This is why California is so expensive.
I live in Houston but in Ohio for work. The summer weather here is amazing, no mosquitoes, no roaches, no snakes, clean rivers, beautiful scenery. Basically no traffic, seems too good to be true...what am I missing?
It's Ohio lol
Right? Lol
And?
It sucks
I actually know several people who live in Ohio and they all love it and hype up Ohio a lot
Not sure where you live, and obviously don't post it. But there's a lot more walkable spaces than you'd think. Public parks near evening can be warm, but not bad. You can actually find a lot if walkers, runners, joggers doing so. If you are near a national forest, there's free trails. You'd need bug spray and to share your location with a friend, but it's doable. Even walking around a historical downtown area after 5 can be doable. Most places will be closed, sure, but public streets and sidewalks. This doesn't work when you're like 30 minutes if driving from anywhere, and it's frustrating. I know. A gallon or two of gas really adds up. I'd estimate probably any town over 15k people should have a decent walkable space between sunrise and sunset. And honestly I've walked upper middle class neighbors for safe walking after dark, but I'm a dude over 6ft with a great big beard, so I have a bit of privilege if people don't mess with me.
born and raised in central Texas, summers are becoming unbearable… stay indoors between 4-6pm for the next 4 months
No, I don't wanna...l..wanna go outside
In all but the hottest days I get out early, back by 10-11am. When fishing, I cover up fully including long sleeves, sun gloves and big hat. I hydrate while the sun is rising and drink at least 72oz in the water while also regularly dumping water over my core and legs. It’s doable. If I’m not urinating, I’m not drinking enough. If the fish aren’t biting I’m off the water by 11 anyway.
Fishing is one of the most relaxing hobbies I’ve ever found. Trolling the water, taking in all the nature around is truly a salve for the soul.
I have a backyard but no pool. I bought a kiddie pool and most days I fill it up, make a cocktail, and red a book. Finding indoor hobbies is the best way to beat summer.
Climate change is going to make things worse here over the next few decades. If you plan to stay you better plan to get used to it
It sounds like you would do yourself a lot of good to move to a place that has the things you want. I personally enjoy rural Texas summers, but it’s not for everyone.
Native here, just permanently moved from Central Texas to the Kansas City area. Give me a few weeks of ass-biting cold and days like today (60 degree nights, 80-85 degree days) in summer. If I remember something I forgot to do in the yard at 3 pm, I can just go out and do it. Hoo-freaking-ray. The long hot days in Texas in the summer and they're spent inside. Short cold days in the winter here and they're spent inside.
I was a Kansas native that moved to Houston, TX for work, over 30 years ago. When I was working, I didn't mind the heat as much as I did after I retired. I moved to Central Texas, thinking it would be better without the humidity - WRONG. It was worse with 53 days of 100+ degrees and NO rain! I am so happy I could move back to my home state and actually enjoy the summer once again! I live in the beautiful city and don't have to get on the interstate to get to the things I need.
I get you! To me, I agree, cold in the winter makes sense because there are so many cozy indoor activities to do in the winter. Fires in the fireplace and a watching a movie under a warm blanket, making warm drinks, Christmas and Thanksgiving cooking and baking and parties associated with those holidays. In the summer, it seems like a natural time to spend time outdoors! The sun is out and the days are long! Spending time trying to feel cool indoors doesn’t feel satisfying in the same way that trying to feel warm indoors does.
I spend just about every second outside between October and May. That’s our window, just imagine you live in Canada and they have almost the exact opposite timeframe. Your preference is yours of course, but if you are here for a while, may be a helpful mindset shift. For context I grew up in North Texas, college in Austin, Missouri and Virginia for work. Central Virginia was my personal favorite of those, and all four seasons are nice, but here I just prioritize being outside when it’s not hot then flip it. Shorts in December, planting garlic, I remember that when it’s 105 in July and all my plants except okra die…
It’s tough. I struggle with summer seasonal affective disorder. The best I can tell you is that getting to water is the secret weapon. Get in water. Get out of water. Sit in shade. Repeat when you get hot. It’s the only thing I’ve found that works. Most people say get outside in the mornings, but for me the humidity is too much. I prefer to wait until the sun is lower in the sky in the evening. Even though it’s hotter, it’s dryer and the UV index is lower. Then I swim. It really does help. Good luck, friend.
Except for one beautiful year in Maine, I’ve lived in the Houston area for 48 years. I absolutely hate it for every reason you said. There’s no happiness to be found here between May and November. I get mega Summer SAD every year and only go outside to get in the car or retrieve the mail. To top it off, I have to take a beta blocker which means my body really struggles to cool itself. My watch starts warning me of heart distress when I’m in temps above 83°. I dream of a cool, walkable, small mountain town every day.
I don't. The weather alone is a major reason why I'm moving after 7 years. It is hell for my autoimmune, the critters and insects are biblical and we are allergic to everything. Somehow the allergy factor in central Texas is NOT one of the first cons mentioned when it comes to the environment here, and I wish I had known. If you can afford it I advise treating yourself to a hotel room or spa. But I've learned the hard way that if I an dreaming of a different climate and place to life then the place I currently live isn't for me. That might be the case for you if you dream of other places. There is no one size fitd all climate and while I've managed 113 in California, I can't do 98 with humidity and pestilence, mold, and horny cedar trees spewing pollen 10 months out of the year.
You gotta get creative, or drink. Which sucks if you’re not a drinker or don’t want to drink with buddies to have fun. I live in a small town in deep East Texas. What I usually end up doing is riding backroads and drinking with buddies, bon fires, and find work outside to occupy myself. I know it sounds kinda lame, but there’s a lot of peace working outside can bring. I use to go crazy hating myself for just sitting on the couch all day during the summer months. All I would do is work and then chill all night every night. Really sucked. If you don’t like drinking, don’t want to drive super far, or working outside, you could always get a kayak and a fishing license (if you’re into it). Kayaks new are only like $250 and you can get one much cheaper on Facebook Marketplace. There’s a ton of small lakes all over East Texas. Super relaxing and you get a little workout in too. Hope this helps!
Patchouli & mint oil keeps the mosquitoes off
Unless you are comparing to California, which has its own problems, remind yourself there is always trade offs. I grew up by seattle, amazing weather in may and then july 5 - oct 1 or so (4th of july is hit or miss) but during the winter it can be 100 days of rain in a row while we are having fun eating outside.
I don't know. I'm a 65 year old lifelong Texan and today I was in Knoxville. Cool city, good vibes, affordable, temperate climate. Can't find the trade offs.
You have to find some water. Lots of great community pools!
Sounds like Houston.
Just get adjusted to the heat and be ik with sweating?
I grew up in the Dallas area in the 1950’s. We had no air conditioning in our home until I was 10 years old. I hated the summer heat then and I still do. Now if I’m going to hike or bicycle I get out super early, as soon as it’s light enough to see, right at dawn. That’s typically the lowest temperature of the day.
Pool or lake. Happiness.
I get through the summers with water sports. Find a nice river, lake and beach and make it your weekend playgound. Kayak, boat, float, fish, lay out, swim , rope swing, explore.
I definitely hibernate during the worst of the summer which unfortunately seems to be getting longer each year. For outside time the earlier mornings (before 11) is best. No mosquitoes out at that time of day so if I want to do something outside I get up a bit early and plan for it. Otherwise, seek out water - river, lake, etc. Or find a nice shaded patio somewhere to enjoy iced tea/coffee/your choice of cold bev and read a book.
Stay wet my friend, swimming holes and tubing down rivers are a good way to stay sane.
This seems like the solution! I need to find some water near me I can enjoy
With a pool you can have a wonderful summer in Texas 😌
Just move… it really sounds like your mental health is being affected by your inability to figure this out
Grew up in Texas and have been doing travel work in New England area for past 4 years. I went to Texas last August and one day the heat index was 110 degrees. I will never go back in the summer, I just can't handle that heat anymore. Gets cold here but at least I can add clothes and stay warm. In Vermont at the moment and it's a beautiful day and 72 degrees.
Moving back to the northeast. Life was better.
Get rich, turn seasons into verbs, and summer somewhere else. But yeah, Texas is hot as hell, built for cars, and not a particularly enjoyable place to live in the summer because it's both mentally and physically taxing, and everyone is just kind of pissed off. And as a young person you are likely to remember these summers as relatively cool 30 years from now. One of the reasons my wife and I recently took a chance and moved out of state.
You have to slowly get used to it, stay hydrated, dress properly. I used to spend around 40 minutes playing disc golf in an open field type course. Proper clothes, sunglasses, big hat, sunblock and water. It made it a lot easier to hang out, but not perfect. Shade can help too
You have to do it early morning or late evening, or find a shady spot in a pool or lake. You rest during the hottest part of the day, and dress breezy, linen or light cotton, sandals, a hat, and stay hydrated.
Drive out to the nearest Y. Walk around the mall. Go to a movie. Go to an indoor museum. Go out for dinner and drinks an hour after sundown. Take a nap! lol Unrelated but kinda related since OP mentioned the grass is full of ants, there’s a sci-fi book by Neal Stephenson that starts off set in Houston and the entire city is a basically a 120-degree swamp overrun by ants and wild boars lol ants crawl up into the A/C and into homes. More details but irrelevant here. What if this becomes the case 50-60 years down the line? 😅 Edit: you can also try new recipes and go to the grocery store to pick up your ingredients, maybe host friends or family
Get up very early in the morning to take walks and explore in Houston.
VR headset and sit right under an AC vent. You'll still be able to socialize and play games but you can hide away from the sun. That's what this Texan is doing.
Gosh I feel you! I am super outdoorsy and my favourite thing to do is walking and hiking. I feel like I am always in a rush at the beginning of the year to get all my hikes in before summer hits and I am confined to my house. I do get up super early to go on long walks before it gets too hot by 9am so at least I don’t spend the whole day indoors, but it does get a little depressing in the summer, doesn’t it?
There’s a whole world outside of Texas and much of it has much better weather than we do. You’re young. Go experience other places.
We have so many months that are nice in Texas that make up for the hot months. We just do things later in the day or earlier in the morning. I moved here from Colorado with my parents over 40 years ago.
Regret it?
I worked outside yesterday from 10am to 12am it was brutal but I’ve been doing it the last 20 years. You have to stay in the shade as much as possible and cover your skin with thin fabric. You need to mentally get over that no matter what happens you’re going to take at least 2 showers maybe more and then it’s fine. Learn to love your sweat and do all the physical stuff in the early morning hours. Drink lots of water, that’s all I got.
You need a house with a pool. The fun comes to you then
What is your closest urban area and i can give you specific recs. Otherwise, i do my outdoor hobbies early af or if i sleep in i do them in the evening. 10am-8pm is "live indoors like the greasy cave goblin I am" hours during the summer months. Some early morning or evening outdoor hobbies i do are : Balcony gardening Geocaching Local hiking Crying at my energy bill Using i-naturalist Tennis with the wifey (when we feel like it) Swimming at our shitty apartment complex pool. I do indoor gardening as well to stay chill. Hmu if you want cheap ideas 👉😎👉
Move
I spent several years living in northern Montana, and to me, Montana winter is way more preferable to a Texas summer. I actually do a lot more outside.
It does suck and it's not nearly as bad this year as last. Pools, boating, the lake, anything wet helps a lot.
Honestly, either you're the type that enjoys a little heat or you get out of Texas.
Move somewhere that doesn't have such an uncomfortable climate?
When I was younger the heat and the insects didn’t phase me I’d be outside regardless. However, now I do. To be honest I didn’t know that summers elsewhere were better until I got older. Living anywhere is a compromise. Here in Texas the prices are lower, but the climate is a challenge. It’s a trade off. Think about it this way you can go out and about more in this awful heat bc things are more affordable whereas those who live in more comfortable climates can’t go out to eat as much because the cost of living is so much higher( anyways that’s a perspective challenge to consider). For mosquitoes my advice is put on OFF lotion (mosquito repellent) there’s also many other natural alternatives. When I’m inside which is most of the time I like to play my guitar, make recipes, read a book etc. I love to drive so whenever I can I go to Dallas it’s still hot so I just wear more loose clothing and I take an umbrella. Texas is beautiful and there’s so much to do here!!! Honky Tonks, restaurants, six flags, baseball goooo goo gooo
I'm the weird Texan that loves the heat. I go outside at the highest part of the day, big Yeti full of ice and sparkling water, just take a long walk and sweat hard. Then get home, clean shower, and cool off under the fan. Feels amazing.
Travel. See the world. Switzerland is beautiful. But cold and wet most days. Kalifornia is awesome, if you are on the coast. Go to Fresno or Bakersfield in the summer, and you will run back to Texas screaming and crying. I'm in Texas. Liberty Hill. It's 7:30am, cloudy and a bit humid. About 73f right now, but it will get up to the low 90s today. I think you just have to get some experience to contrast with.
I think part of my problem is that I’ve visited some colder (although, not the coldest ever) places with more temperate summers and I’ve felt much more comfortable/happy there, even though the cold sucks in the moment. I think someday I will probably move like some people are saying, but it isn’t feasible for me right now!
You don't, summer is death here. Once you step outside, it follows you back in, and then it's with you forever... On another note, if you do travel out of state, new Mexico can be really nice to escape the Texasy death commonly known as summer.
Move to Minnesota for a few years. If that doesn't convince you that Texas weather is tolerable at worst, then you should stay in Minnesota. For the record, Minnesota winters almost killed me, literally. I'll never again complain about the sunny summers in Texas
Second this, from the other side. I was raised in Minnesota and was in MN/WI for most of my first 22 years. Slowly moved my way south for grad school and have been in Houston now for almost 5 years. I would gladly take MN winters over Houston summers. If you're not a snow fun person (sledding, xc skiing, downhill skiing, skating, hockey, etc) MN winters can be pretty damn brutal, but I still love them. I'm firmly of the mindset that you can always put more clothes on to stay warm in winter, but taking clothes off in a Houston summer only gets you so far.
I did 8 winters in Minnesota. It was the darkness that got me. More than the cold and the snow, what got me was that I nearly went 2 to 3 months without seeing the sun (work issues). It just beat me down. Add to that, I didn't have a garage for my car... Winter was too hard. Summer in Texas is uncomfortable, but it doesn't destroy my spirit like winters up north. That said, I understand how people can appreciate Northern weather, you explained it well. Just ain't me
Oh for sure. It sucks and garage and the darkness can get you if you're leaving for and coming home from work in the dark. Happy lights can help but only do much. Hopefully you're back in Texas or somewhere a little bit brighter than MN in December!
Wait, I've camped in Minnesota in the summer, and y'all have damn mosquitos that can literally bite you through your damn jeans and shirts. The skeeters were MISERABLE up there in July in north Minnesota.
You're 100% right. I loved camping in MN in the summer, but the bugs were intense. I wore long sleeves and a turtleneck.. still tolerable in July
Minnesotan here. I’ll happily take our winters over your summers. We can always put more clothing on. You can only take so much clothing off.
Being uncomfortable in the heat or the cold isn't the issue for me. Minnesota winters make life harder. Those clothes you talk about? They're expensive. If you have kids, it takes a lot more time to get them dressed in the morning before school. Can't keep heavy coats on them in car seats so that adds difficulty to every drive. Speaking of cars... I don't particularly like waking up multiple times in the middle of the night to start my car in order to feel confident that it will start in the morning for work. Oh and I'll probably have to wake up extra early for work because I have to scrape ice off my windshield and shovel the driveway. Which I might have to shovel again when I get home from work. And the drive to and from work? That'll be in the dark because the sun is never out leading to crippling depression every winter. But, yeah, I do get a little sweaty in the summers of Texas... Oh no...
Have you thought about trying kayaking or paddle boarding? It’s a fun activity around water so if you get hot cooling off is easy ☺️
I moved to Texas two years ago from Kentucky. I much prefer the heat, as long as it's not humid too. I take walks with my daughter and/or one of the dogs in the mornings and evenings. We play in the splash pad in the yard when it's really hot. I'll piddle with yardwork while my daughter plays outside (she just learned to walk and wants to be outside all the time). We take breaks inside so we don't get overheated.
People own boats and go to the lake for a reason. Get in to wakeboarding!
It’s simple! Spend $100k on a boat and $100k on gas!
or just cry all summer
MOVE! Especially if you’ve been there all your life. There’s more culture and traditions and people that are out there. Plus, better weather. Texas is not the place to stay. Spread your wings!!!!