I'm a month shy of 84 and have had (non-insulin) diabetes for about 20 years. I live on the southcoast of New England and prefer temps. in the mid 60's - low 70's. When the temp passes 75 my discomfort starts to build. As for sleeping, I prefer the window open and temp in the low 50's. For me, it's the clear, cold air that I like to breathe but let's not kid ourselves as far as our preferences. Before the advent of air conditioners, the southern portion of this country far less populated than it is at present. Not too many folks would like sitting around in 110 degree hear for days on end. Take one of those beautiful retirement communities in Arizona and pull the plug on the A/C for the whole place. Within hours there would be a mass exodus on all highways heading north or towards the coast. Heat for our homes, we always had but A/C is a recent phenomenon.
Today, most of us from Maine to Florida live in a 70 degree cocoon. Our cars, stores, homes, hospitals, etc. level out our temps. On a bitter cold or steamy hot day you can start you're car, from the bedroom window and when you walk or run the few steps to hop in you are subjected to what ever the temp. happens to be, but once in the car, you're back to your "temp. of choice". Same at your destination.
My confession: For the first twenty years of our retirement, we would spend our winters in Florida to escape the bitter cold days and take advantage of the mild weather. We enjoyed every visit but by the first of April we were on our way north, to continue enjoying those mild temps.
