On Monday, February 16, 2015 at 5:23:31 PM UTC-5, Mike the Strike wrote:
...OP was asking about excellent places to retire and most folks like to have a more benign climate than the east coast! Old bones don't like snow!

A location where it is pleasant to be outdoors in the summer and fall, warm days and cool nights, is important to some. One mid-octogenarian, who is a very active pilot, winters in Florida and summers in Vermont. He and his crew (aka wife) are residents of FL for tax purposes. Rents a ski resort condo cheaply in VT in summer and fall.

Annual migration opens a lot more possibilities. Snowbirds that like to soar.