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I'm in the south central part of the LP. Two hours west of Detroit. Been here my whole life, but I keep thinking of one day going where its a bit warmer lol!

Grew up south of Jackson, Devil's Lake. Been in Arizona high desert 40 yrs. Loving the lack of allergies here around this time of year.

Wow small world! I bought my first boat at Devils Lake Marine back in the day LOL!! I live over by the MIS speedway!

Indeed and it's shrinking as we speak,Grew up on the lake and worked at Ladd's Marina next to the flume at age 13 in early 60's, made .50 cents an hour repairing outboard motors.
Later right after MIS was built my brother worked for Ford driving 40 hours racing..err I mean testing new fords at MIS.

I love the 4 seasons, but in Wisconsin the winters got too much. I have a sister who lives on the Wisconsin-Michigan border of the UP. I lived in the south (Key West and Charleston, SC) a number of years when I was in the military, although missed the changes of the seasons. Here in North Idaho the winters at least do not get 40 below. When it does get cold it usually does not last long. Some years the snow gets a bit carried away though.

I have thought about finding the "perfect" place, but I'm not sure if that exists. My neighbors are "snowbirds". IOW they leave Michigan at the end of Fall before it gets too cold and head south to Florida for the winter. Then they come back to enjoy the Spring. Not a bad way to go I suppose...
I miss my garden. If I do it again, I think I will go smaller but with raised beds so its easier to tend to. The older I get , the ground seems to be farther away lol.

I am in no way ready to retire, and in the Fall I enjoy hunting, and enjoy splitting wood all winter. I have been setting myself up for being able to continue gardening as I get older. A few years ago early in the season my back went out (pinched nerve) and I was on a walker for a good part of summer. I finally found I could crawl up and down the rows to weed by hand. Not fun getting off the ground, but I believe by doing that it helped aid my recovery without surgery.

Hydroponics is a possibility, as will be container gardening. A few raised beds might be a good idea to consider starting. I have reduced the size of my garden in recent years and instead continue to plant fruit trees, and expand my asparagus bed.