Weather has been a major reason for migrations throughout human history.
Humans have adapted to almost every climate on the planet, but our personal feeling is that they only went to the bitterly cold and insufferably hot spots if they had no other choice.
Most of the time people prefer to live their lives in places where the chances of freezing or roasting to death at some point during the year aren't too terribly high.
Nowadays, towns and cities have insulated much of the world's population from the most immediate threats and discomforts of inclement weather. In a city, there is always someplace to escape the wind, rain, snow, ice and heat. Usually, that's inside.
The price, of course, is having to live in a city with all the associated costs and compromises.
But if you could move to a place tomorrow where the temperatures rarely rise above 85 F, hardly ever fall below 45 F, where you needed neither heating nor air conditioning at any time of year, and where no one has ever shoveled snow... ever... would you do it?
We would. We did. Weather was a huge factor in our decision to move abroad. Not that we don't dearly love our hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. But there are times when it gets so cold or so hot that going outside simply isn't an option. The only real option is staying inside and listening to the furnace or air conditioner relentlessly suck money directly out of your pocket.
Not only did we find a place where our biggest weather decision at any time of year is whether or not to take an umbrella with us for our daily walks... but we also found a place where the air is clean, there is abundant fresh and locally grown produce and public transportation is so inexpensive and reliable that we don't need a car.
Our personal paradise is in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador...right on the equator but at the same latitude as Hawaii. Yes, we have a rainy season when it rains almost every afternoon, but mornings are delightful. And that's what keeps our gorgeous mountains lush and green.
As a friend from Nebraska who visited us said, "You'll never find better weather than this."
We could see the dread in his eyes as he boarded his plane home that February morning...
And the truth is, there are many temperate-climate locations in the world. Most fall within 23 degrees of the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. At sea level in coastal areas you'll find the climate to be mostly hot and humid. Too much so for us. That's why we moved in and up.
In the mountains in the tropics, it's never too hot or too cold. Every day, rain or shine, is just right. Just the way we like it.
Beyond Ecuador, you'll find these perfect-weather destinations all through the tropics. In the western hemisphere, follow the spine of mountains that cuts through the western U.S. and keeps going straight through Mexico and on to Costa Rica and Panama.
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru...all the Andes nations have majestic mountains and perfect climates. (An added bonus of living on the equator is that the sun comes up every morning at 6 a.m. and sets every afternoon at 6 p.m. It can take some getting used to, but once you do, it just feels right.)
So why isn't the whole world moving to one of these perfect-weather paradises?
Frankly, we don't know. When you're unencumbered by the threat of bone-chilling cold and ice or dangerous heat (not to mention destructive storms) and all the necessary preparations that go with vast seasonal changes, your quality of life is so much more peaceful and relaxed. The weather where we live is so good...and life here is so affordable...that we're surprised we aren't up to our armpits in expats moving here from harsher climes.
Still, our corner of the world is not for everyone.
Ecuador (as is the rest of Latin America, in fact) is a Spanish-speaking country. The government is based on democratic socialism. And you can't get most important things done with just a phone call or the click of a mouse... you actually have to physically go somewhere and talk to somebody in person, in Spanish. And there are some products we can't always get. We make our own sour cream, for instance. And Half & Half... and so on...
But if those aren't deal-breakers for you, then the weather here... in fact, the weather in dozens of spots throughout Latin America and the world... is reason enough to come.
Because if you have great weather, everything else is just that much better.
Ecuador: Perfect Score from InternationalLiving.com
Ecuador: Tropical Temperatures
Uruguay: Like Carolinas Climate
Malta: Mediterranean Climate
Malta: Mild Winters, Hot Summers
Panama: 1st Place Overall, 4th in Climate
Panama: Santa Fe Temperatures
The climate in Santa Fe, Panama, is perfect, with daytime temperatures in the 80s° F (and evenings 10 or more degrees cooler). The rainy season is officially from May through November, but afternoon rains are often fleeting. Most mornings are sunny.
InternationalLiving.com 2014 Country RankingsPhoto courtesy of Suzan Haskins
InternationalLiving.comNew Zealand: Weather Varies Dramatically
New Zealand sees average annual temperatures ranging from 50 °F in the south to 61 °F in the north. However, that is by no means the full story. Weather varies dramatically across the country’s regions. The west coast of the South Island is known for its wet weather while areas such as Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin of inland Canterbury are almost semi-arid. Meanwhile, in areas such as Northland, New Zealanders enjoy a subtropical climate.
InternationalLiving.com 2014 Country RankingsPhoto courtesy of Steenie Harvey,
InternationalLiving.com New Zealand: South Island Diversity
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.