...is where I'd move. As for the "zonal denial" thing we obviously like, I'll still have it there.
I added a rose to my tropical garden this year. People around here think that is a funny plant for a tropical garden: "why a rose?"
The reason is that my gardening buddies in Belize delight in being able to grow roses in the tropics. It isn't easy! However, every serious gardener in Belize has at least one pampered rose with a central place amongst the plants we think of as houseplants.
I am active on a Belize bulletin board. Expats (Canadians, mostly) who have retired to Belize delight in trying to grow things like roses, blueberries and apples in the tropics. It is a real challenge.
So, my long-term plan is to dig up my long-suffering palms, pot them and put them in a trailer for the long drive south. They'll retire to the tropics when I do. Then, I'll start a board, "Rosessouth.com the heat hardy rose forum" or some such.
--Erik

I agree Aaron,I like the challenge.
Would be nice to have a winter home somewhere warm but who would take care of the palms 😉

I've thought about this before... To me, I would think about maybe some place where I still have a similar climate, but perhaps with a less severe winter. Places with lots of cold rain are out. And the summer has to have some heat. Oh, and it still has to be a 'challenge' to grow plams there, or at least palms must be out of the ordinary. I'm thinking I could try So. Utah (or NM or AZ) , Maybe continental Europe, Maybe the US Atlantic seaboard... Or maybe just the Northern Shore of Lake Eire or Niagara!

So maybe not somewhere 'warm', but perhaps somewhere 'warmer'!

Paul. Continental climate. Growing palms is a challenge here but not impossible (see Francko's book, Figure 19).
Relatively good economy and relatively cheap real-estate. --Erik

Erik- The problem I have with Dr. Francko's book is that the cold temps he lists as 'foliar hardiness' limits are WAY off. I don't know if these are based on limited samples (one or 2 years) or what. I can tell you that P. aureosulcata, even well established groves, will completely defoliate, even with a snow cover, at a temperature above -10F!

As for Oklahoma, I'd look at the Amazing Gardens website before Francko's book (their info is based on 20+ years of growing in that climate). I don't think the climate there would be to my liking (I'm scared to death of Tornados)!!!

does indeed have a fine website. Meeting them in person has been on my "to do" list for years but I just don't get to Oklahoma City all that often.
As for Francko's book, I drove by the garden with the Sabal in Figure 19 recently. It looks even bigger and better than in the book. That whole garden is amazing, actually. I hope to meet the owner some day. If I do, I'll ask his permission to post photos here. A few older photos of his garden are on the amazing gardens website: http://www.amazinggardens.com/john.html but it looks bigger and better now.

The Washy in Francko's Figure 20 (different owner) is dead, however. Too bad. It was really splendid.

As for tornadoes, I have lived here 12 years and never seen one. When I lived in Oregon, however, I felt earthquakes and saw volcanic eruptions. I think I'll stay here.
--Erik

The nice thing about Oklahoma is there comfortable summers too 😉

Erik... if you do visit there (amazing gardens), please post some updated pics of thier palms. 😀

I like Hawaii. There are only two US states where there has not been an officialy recorded temperature above 100F (at least in the city). They are Alaska and Hawaii. Hawaii gets the best of warm winters and moderated summers (for the latitude). Near the coast there is usually a breeze. In my estimation you can tell where the nice climates are because they have hotels where the lobby doesn't have walls to the outside. That is true n Hawaii. This means the low and the high temperatures aren't far off room temperature and insects aren't a problem.

I'm thinking I could try So. Utah (or NM or AZ) , Maybe continental Europe, Maybe the US Atlantic seaboard... Or maybe just the Northern Shore of Lake Eire or Niagara!

So maybe not somewhere 'warm', but perhaps somewhere 'warmer'!

I think all those places would be fun to try. 😀

Las Vegas for me. Seems challenging enough for me.

Enjoyed reading everybody's replies.
Donna Dawson of ICanGarden.com moved to Panama a few years ago. She loves it!

Of all the places...maybe Hawaii, despite it being an island you can drive completely in 3 hours.
Did you know Hawaiians would give their gold teeth for a Blue Spruce? 😆 😆

Cabo/Baja is apparently a wonderful haven for Canadians in winter.
Some have moved there permanently.

I can handle the Okanagan's dry desert heat.
But winter is another story.
Too darn cold the last few years...plus longer winters than ever in my 32 years here.

OK...Hawaii it is, despite Mauna Loa's incessant spitting.
Barb

between Nice and Menton for me, South of France. zone 9b/10a
Or maybe around Barcelona or Valencia (Spain) z9b/10a
Or Reunion Island (z11/12)

Or HAWAII ! 😳 But it will be difficult, I'm not an US citizen

I love the Okanagan from March till October. I have always wanted to be somewhere warm for the winter months.Costa Rica is where we will have our winter hacienda.
http://www.anywherecostarica.com/destinations/playa-conchal-costa-rica

John