Hot Take: The Winter in Chicago Sucks Less Than The Summers in Florida.
When I first got hired and told everyone I was moving to Chicago, the first thing people said was, “Good luck in the winter.” For the first time in my life, I had to experience a real winter, and I was petrified. Coming from South Florida, where it’s essentially summer all year round, the thought of enduring a Chicago winter felt like staring down the barrel of a gun, just waiting for someone to pull the trigger.
However, as it turns out, it wasn’t as bad as I had feared. Don’t get me wrong—Chicago winters suck ass. They’re harsh, cold, and relentless, and they certainly deserve their reputation. But, in my opinion, they’re not nearly as unbearable as the summers in South Florida. Until you’ve experienced the relentless heat and humidity of a Florida summer, it’s hard to grasp just how miserable it can be.
Imagine taking a short walk to your car, only to find yourself drenched in sweat by the time you arrive. And it’s not a little sweat that you can just wipe off, I’m talking full swamp ass. Then, as you buckle up, you’re greeted by the scorching heat of the metal part of your seatbelt burning your skin. That’s just a regular summer day in South Florida. Trying to do anything outside during the summer in South Florida is a recipe for heat stroke.
Golfing, for example, is nearly impossible. Between the blazing sun and the humidity, you’ll feel like you’re suffocating before you even finish the first hole. Beaches, which are supposed to be a haven for relaxation and fun, feel like hell on Earth. The sand is so hot that it doesn't just feels like it’s burning through your skin, it is burning through your skin. And finding relief in the water is only temporary because the water is piss warm and the sun is still ripping through your skin. It’s not just uncomfortable—it’s exhausting.
Outdoor activities in South Florida summers are non-existent. Even something as simple as running errands will have you jumping into the shower before you take the groceries out of your car. By comparison, Chicago winters, while cold and inconvenient, have their manageable moments. You can layer up, stay indoors, and enjoy the occasional charm of a snowy day.
Though I will say the wind in Chicago is fucking terrible. I can do cold and snow all day, but if that wind is ripping I’m fucked. However, with that being said it doesn’t leave you feeling the same kind of exhaustion and discomfort that the unrelenting heat of South Florida does.
In the end, both climates have their downsides, and neither is perfect. However, given the choice between sweating through a South Florida summer and a Chicago winter, I’d take the winter any day. At least in the cold, you can add layers and find ways to stay warm. In the heat, there’s only so much you can do to cool down, and it never feels like enough.