Levi KeswickWarm sun, blue waters, white sand, and waving palm trees all say “tropical.” But you should also consider that humidity, downpours, and rainforest creatures like snakes and lizards are aspects of most tropical locations. Discover the things to know before moving to a tropical climate.
Goodbye To Four Seasons
Not the hotel chain—you can still visit those luxury hotels whenever you choose. In this case, four seasons refers to a pronounced seasonal change in climate. There won’t be fall colors or winter wonderlands in the tropics. If a change in the seasons is something you look forward to every year, the tropics may be best kept for vacations rather than your permanent living location.
Spiders, Snakes, Bugs, and Mold
Tropical climates are host to a wide variety of wildlife. Listening to monkeys howl and exotic birds squawk all night is enchanting to some nature lovers, but can drive other people crazy.
If you’re an arachnophobe, beef up your therapy because tropical spiders can be big and hairy. Add to that industrial-sized centipedes and jumbo cockroaches and you’ve got a Victorian explorer’s jackpot of specimens to add to a collection display—if you can catch them, that is.
Mosquitos thrive in wet, warm places. Repellant and netting will become part of your daily life, until the biting beasts find fresher blood to enjoy. Mosquitos carry dangerous diseases like malaria and dengue, so keeping them off you is more than a nuisance—it’s a necessity. Insects and reptiles, including snakes and lizards, are part of tropical life.
Humidity breeds mold. It’s difficult to keep anything dry in the tropics. You’ll take advantage of the sun, but then you must bring everything inside before the regular afternoon downpour in many tropical areas.
What’s Your Hurry?
People have a different relationship to time in the tropics. The laid-back vibe is part of the attraction. But it also means waiting longer for repairs, enduring slower internet connections, and getting used to late-starting meetings. If you buy a home in a tropical area, you’re the manager. You must adapt to the local schedule of response time for plumbing, electrical, and carpentry services.
Abandon Perfect Hair and Complex Wardrobes
You’ll quickly learn that no matter what you do, your hair will frizz, your makeup will run, and your clothes will get sweaty. Expect to step down in style and up your comfort if you move to the tropics.
If all this makes you think twice about buying that perfect little vacation bungalow on the beach and moving to a tropical climate, fear not. There are luxury hotels and rentals in tropical destinations. In the meantime, you can take advantage of summer by adding a lanai and a pool to your property. They’re not the beach, but they’ll still give you a chance to cool off with a fruity drink while dreaming of white sands and surf.
