Tabs, I live in and absolutely love NY but you are right about our winters and the summer is the exact opposite, it can get oppressively hot and humid. I have lived here all of my life but have also thought I would like to try living somewhere else to see what it would be like. Its not an easy thing for me to choose. My roots are here, my family, friends and an energy that I have not seen anywhere else.
I have traveled extensively in Europe and the US and have always enjoyed every place that I have visited but there are very few where I feel I would be happy to make a permanent home. One of the places I would love to try living in is Hawaii
. Just the thought of it makes me happy. The weather is so beautiful and warm most of the time, but dry and not too hot, with nice evening breezes so you don't need a/c. I love the scent in the air and the feeling of being so out there on a remote island in the Pacific. I also get a very spiritual feeling there. I also got chills when Angela talked about jumping in the ocean at midnight. The ocean is just beautiful with lots of breaching whales from November - May. Until I was there, I had assumed it may have been an overly touristy Don Ho type of place but there is much less of that than I imagined. Kauai, for example, is only something like 80% inhabitable due to the layout of the mountains. The rainbows and waterfalls are soaking my brain right now. I think I need to stop thinking so much of Hawaii
Another place that gives me similar goosebumps is the West coast of Ireland. Raw beauty that just stays with me. Another lush green island that feels very out there and very spiritual as well. The biggest and most obvious difference is the weather. Even though Kauai and Maui boast two of the rainiest spots on the planet, that rainfall is contained in the rainforest areas. Ireland is a very wet place across the country. Another thing I love about Ireland is the traditional music and dance, very uplifting against the climate... When the sun does shine in Ireland though it is a sight to see...
Good luck with your search. Let us know where you land.