i've been asking that questions for years. I want a place that doesn't get any hotter than 80 and no colder than 50. that would be my Utopia.

Try northwestern California on the coast! Not only is it beautiful here, it rarely gets above 70 degrees in the summertime. In the winter it gets cold and is very wet. When I say cold, it gets down to freezing at times.
A great place to live if you can afford it is San Francisco. It never gets too hot nor too cold there. I lived there myself for many years and enjoyed not having to deal with the heat.
San Francisco is however, a very expensive place to live. A 1 bedroom apt. can run you $2500+ a month! That rules San Francisco out for most people sadly.

I love the weather where I live. I live on the coast of Washington State. Our summers are mild and only once in awhile is a air-conditioner necessary. Winters are mild too and a dusting if snow is a rare thing. This is a beautiful area. But as far as how it compares financially to the rest of the country I am not sure. I love it here though! Hugs!

Hawaii often has the reputation of never too hot never too cold throughout the year, I believe the big Island is more affordable and less densely populated.

Hawaii is indeed beautiful, I lived there for three years. The main problem there is health care...it's awful! They do not allow narcotic to be given for chronic pain at all. The only way to get narcotics is in an ER room. Then there is the constant sun, sounds nice, but it gets old. You start hoping to see a cloud or something. The heat was too much for my MS so I spent a great deal of my time next to a air-conditioner. And cost of living is through the roof. Unless you are military and can shop at the commissaries groceries are extremely expensive. I enjoyed my time there, but unless you have means and enjoy the indoors I wouldn't recommend it.

I'm even game for retiring outside of the US. Any ideas there as well?

Well since Hawaii is looking less attractive that leaves Australia of course haha

Here's a few to consider.....

Sydney - beautiful city but expensive
Perth - mediterranean climate
Brisbane - subtropical
Cairns - tropical

You could consider the UK, cold weather, Summer falls on a Thursday in August, and when it does, there is a hosepipe ban for 3 Months, it's raining now, cloudy windy well just crap :) I don't think I'll be asked to be the UK tourist ambassador anytime soon :), I did live in Dublin/Pleasanton CA for 6 years so I concur with hope4acure about Northern CA.

gazo: My son and his wife just arrived here last night from Melbourne to get away from the cold and get some of our 100+ degree weather to thaw out. I guess some of us are never satisfied. LOL

I will tell you that Florida is NOT the place you want to be. The humitity makes it much worse. I did live in Arizona years back and I loved it! It gets hot there but there is not that much humidity so it really did not feel that bad. The nights were nice too, you could open the windows at night througout the year. The winters were not bad either, light snow between the mountains. Most of the time the light snow would be gone before the day ended. I just think the humidity makes the heat feel even worse, so I really can not STAND the Florida summer, which is just about year round!

I agree about Fl. I lived in Jacksonville for 13 years before moving back to Missouri, which isn't any better heatwise plus we have cold and snow.

haha oh yes they say Melbourne has four seasons in a day, not known for there good weather so that's why i didn't mention it on my list, but in saying that it has the best culture, restaurants, and warm people!

cool that your son lives here, your turn next!

You can scratch Louisiana from your list! Blistering heat! I am miserable. When you find the perfect spot let me know, I am packing my bags! :)

I'm in Alaska and I like it here. The hottest it gets is about 70. Cost of living is a little high though.

Just say no to Oklahoma! It's been over 100 all month so far. It's still 100 and it's 8:00!! Ugh! But I will say, I was in Florida earlier this month and while not as hot, seemed to bother me more. Don't know if it was the humidity or just that I was outside at the pool more when I was down there.