I live in FL. not far from Clearwater. I spend 90% of my time inside. My Husband loves the heat ,I can not handle it. Many times I feel traped in my home, Thank God I have a nice home. It would be best for you to drive. waiting for a bus in the heat . (Yuck!!) Humidity is bad also. If I had my own way FL would not be the State for me.

As for the kids ,your Son is the one who is moving that is his choice. I understand it is hard. Good Luck.

I had personal experience with my own parents regarding a late in life move and it did not work out well. That does not mean that yours wouldn't but this is a decision that is extremely important for you personally. I've been to Florida in late fall and in the summer before I had this emphysema. The heat was unbearable every time I've ever been there and the air so oppressive I felt like I was slapped in the face by it every time I opened a door to the outdoors.

Please - folks from Florida - this is nothing personal against your state but it's just too hot! I cannot even imagine going down there now that this illness has progressed. I have trouble with heat and humidity in Western PA.

I think you have to think this through very carefully and decide what is best only for you and where you will be happiest. It's not just your son and daughter you would be leaving behind. It would be a lifetime of friends and neighborhoods and being comfortable in your surroundings. There's a lot to be said for the latter too.

Sending BIG hugs to you and whatever your decision, hoping it will be the right one for you. It truly is a hard decision.

Hey MOMOM, glad to see you check in!

Ok, I lived in Sarasota, not too far from Clearwater, and vacationed there also, years and years ago.

BUT, when you think this thru, remember that every place has air conditioning there. So, if it's a walk from your door to car for your ride, then so be it...and once the sun goes down, you will have more leeway to get out, although yes..it's very muggy, especially in August and September...

This is up to you, and what you want to do with your life. It's a gorgeous place, with lots to do, and oxygen does travel!!! Just think it thru, long and hard, and make a list of pro's and con's....Don't rush into it, and you will find your answer.

Hugs,

Boo

I live in fl & it is hot!!! I stay inside with the a/c on. Lol-- If you are a stay at home person - great -- but if you like to go somewhere everyday, it's hot & humid, but I love fl

THANK YOU ALL!!! I am really going to think this over long and hard..., and I am not going to make any decision for at least a year or more. again, thanks for all the advise, this is such a wonderful site full of wonderful people!!!

Born and raise St. Pete, I always said "when I grow up I am outta here", I did left when I was 18, tried it again in my 30's...left again, to hot, buggy and sandy for me.

However, some folks love it, go visit and test the water first...LOL

Mommom,

I live in Valrico FL, which is east of Clearwater, about 30 miles. The weather is indeed hot and humid, but not quite as bad in Clearwater because you get the breeze from the Gulf. But I won't kid you it is hot and humid. But having said that, your from the Philly area, and the humidity is pretty bad there during the summer. Just think of Clearwater as Philly with a much longer summer and no winter. The homes have AC and you could adapt with little trouble. But public transportation does not compare to that of the northern cites. Yes there are buses, it would be a case of making sure your on one of the major bus routes. You can google Clearwater and their homepage provides a ton of good information. I have also found that cabs a available all over the place, and the rates are quite good.

I have COPD as well, and have adapted to living in the heat and humidity. Sometimes it kicks your butt, but I believe it sometimes kicks you butt up in Philly.

Mid to late October thru March are wonderful down here. Keep that in mind. Once he moves and gets settled I suggest you come for an extended visit (at least a couple weeks) in the Dec /Jan timeframe and then come again in the July/August time frame for a couple weeks. That would give you a real good sense to whether or not you would like it on a permanent basis.

Good Luck and Take care, Bill

i've lived in my home a long time, i love it & am comfortable in it.
it was wonderful when all the kids lived close by,no worry and wonderful close family.
then they all had to move (as i did away from my parents- however, i went back to care for them when they passed)
we have to count our blessings that our kids are so wonderful to want to be here for us..not everyone has that.
my son worries about me and wants me to move in with him also, but i don't like city & i have friends here & face it-THIS IS MY HOME.
i am very independent also and i like my life here.
so i chose to stay in my home as long as i can care for it & myself. as i go "down" my oldest daughter plans to come care for me as i cared for my parents when the time comes. (so if i moved in with my son; that might be good FOR HIM now but in the long run would cause problems).
as you see, my children & i have made plans for my care in the end.
that doesn't mean everything will go as planned, but for now i am happy, independent & in my home that i love.
it's a personal decision and it's your decision. make a choice that you can live with as i can't imagine making a choice that would make my last time i have on this earth miserable.

ps. a note to think about. our boys are wonderful, but the girls are the caretakers that most likely will be there when you need.


my story & my opinion only! you have to chose yours

I live in the southern part of North Carolina and it gets very hot and humid here too so I don't have the tan I had in the old days because I stay in a lot when it's very humid. That being said, it has been unusually hot this year and some say that will recyle itself like everything else who knows.

After I was hospitalized with bilateral Pulmonary Emboli, my son moved to Wilmington - 50 miles away from me- and wanted me to move in with him, or move up to Wilmington to an independent living facility or buy a new home up there. Lots of people told me to go for it and I was so torn that I went to see a therapist about it. She said that when I was ready to move, if ever, I would know for sure that it was my wish to do so. Until then, stay put.

I love my home and I know I would have more social options if I moved but I am very independent, not crazy about city living any longer, and feel safe and secure where I am . I also have long term care insurance if I decide to go that route. And my son is still looking at options in Wilmington for me. lol.

It's easier for our kids to think such a move is not overwhelming. And it's easier for them to have us closer. We are blessed with loving kids but unless they build an independent living facility in Wilmington that looks like it fits my needs, I am not going anywhere. Even son Phil admits that he didn't care for the ones we looked at. And to take on another home at age 75 and not feeling terrific, it doesn't make sense to me at this point.

It's a very individual choice so listen to your own heart and body fully.

Let us know. Wishing you peace and strength in decision making.

Hugs, Cindy

Southern gal here, who lived in Philly a couple of years before returning home.

My COPD has been easier to manage, especially in winter. Places here heat with electricity or more commonly, with natural gas. They burn so much cleaner than home heating oil popular up north. Much less dust, fewer fumes, easier breathing.

Hope this helps.