I used to do a lot of business in Florida, especially Melbourne. Lovely place in the fall and winter. I found it horrid in the late spring and summer. I hate humidity and bugs, and both are in abundance in Florida. I also spent a lot of time in California on business, mostly either near LAX or Orange County. Weather is nice, but there are too many people for me. We still enjoy visiting in the winter, especially in the desert (Death Valley, Joshua Tree, etc). This year we have reserved a week at Bolsa Chica State Park, just north of Huntington Beach plus we will be at Death Valley for a week and a half in November. We are looking forward to both trips. That being said, I have no intention of retiring to either location. My long term winter spot would probably be in Arizona or New Mexico. Our sticks and bricks will probably eventually be in the Midwest close to the kids and grandkids, but we will travel the northern part of the west during summer and fall.