People who live elsewhere tend to think South Florida has four seasons.

Technically, maybe.

Locally?

Not really.

Around here, we tend to have two.

There is “Season.”

And then there is summer.

They could not feel more different.

Season brings beautiful weather, lower humidity, lively restaurants, fuller beaches, more activity, and the return of people who spend part of the year enjoying everything South Florida has to offer.

Summer brings heat.

A lot of heat.

Humidity that makes everyone worry about their hair — although in my case, that ship sailed a long time ago.

Afternoon thunderstorms.

But it also brings a quieter version of South Florida, when traffic gets lighter, restaurants become easier, beach parking opens up, and everything seems to slow down just a little.

After living in Jupiter for more than 20 years, Amy and I have learned to appreciate both.

But if you ask me which one I prefer, there really is not much debate.

I am a Season person.

Still, as summer starts winding down, there are a few things about the quiet I know I am going to miss.

First, What Exactly Is “Season”?

If you live in South Florida long enough, nobody really needs to explain this.

Someone says:

“Season is starting.”

And everyone knows what that means.

Generally, the busier time of year begins as the weather cools in late fall and continues into spring.

The humidity drops.

The evenings become beautiful.

Outdoor dining suddenly feels like the best idea anyone has ever had.

Golf becomes much more comfortable.

Morning walks last a little longer.

And people who own second homes here, spend winters here, or want a break from colder parts of the country begin arriving.

There is a reason they come.

The weather can be spectacular.

This is the time of year when living in South Florida makes your friends and family up north question some of their life choices.

The Energy Changes, Too

The season brings more than people.

It also changes the area’s energy.

Restaurants feel livelier.

Outdoor dining fills up.

Golf courses are busy.

Beaches have more activity.

Friends who spend only part of the year here return.

There are more events, more people out in the evenings, and more of that unmistakable feeling that South Florida is in full swing.

I enjoy that.

Everyone seems to have a little more energy when the humidity drops and the weather is beautiful.

You want to be outside.

You want to go somewhere.

You want to meet friends for dinner.

You want to take advantage of the weather because this is exactly what everyone waits for.

The season feels alive.

Of Course, You Adjust a Few Things

More activity naturally changes some everyday routines.

Roads get busier.

Popular restaurants may require a reservation.

That beach parking space you barely thought about in August can take a little more strategy.

None of that is bad.

It is simply part of the change.

You leave a little earlier.

You plan ahead.

You learn when your favorite places tend to be busiest.

And occasionally, when traffic is heavier than usual, somebody in the car will say:

“Season.”

Everybody knows exactly what that means.

Then Summer Arrives

Eventually, the pace changes again.

Many seasonal residents head north.

The humidity returns.

The afternoon thunderstorms return.

Stepping outside at certain times of day can feel a little like opening an oven door.

Summer in South Florida is not subtle.

It is hot.

It is humid.

Very hot.

Very humid.

There is no reason to pretend otherwise.

But then something interesting happens.

Life gets a little easier.

Suddenly, There Is Nobody on Military Trail

Every once in a while during the summer, I drive down Military Trail and suddenly realize something feels strange.

Then it hits me.

There is almost nobody on the road.

For a moment, it feels like a holiday.

Summer Teaches You to Become a Morning Person

If you live here year-round, summer teaches you to negotiate with the temperature.

You go outside earlier.

You walk earlier.

You run earlier.

You golf earlier.

You get things done before the sun fully announces itself.

By mid-afternoon, shade becomes valuable real estate.

But those early hours can be beautiful.

Less traffic.

Quiet roads.

Birds.

The ocean.

People walking before the heat builds.

It is one of the reasons I have always enjoyed getting up before sunrise.

Something about those quiet South Florida mornings makes summer easier to forgive.

Then One Morning, the Air Changes

Toward the end of summer, something happens that every longtime South Florida resident recognizes.

You walk outside one morning and stop.

The air feels different.

The humidity may have dropped a little.

Maybe there is a breeze.

Maybe you are simply being optimistic.

But eventually, there is a morning when you know.

The best weather of the year is coming back.

And I love that moment.

Outdoor dinners sound good again.

Longer walks sound good again.

Golf gets more comfortable.

The evenings become beautiful.

People return.

The energy builds.

Season is coming.

No Question, I Prefer Season

There really is no debate for me.

I prefer Season.

The weather is simply wonderful.

And weather changes the way people live.

Everyone seems to be outside more.

People linger longer.

Restaurants are lively.

Friends get together.

Golf courses are active.

The beach feels energetic.

There is a little jump in everyone’s step.

That is one of the things I love most about living here.

Season reminds you why so many people want to spend part of the year in South Florida in the first place.

You cannot really blame them.

We get it.

For me, the tradeoff is worth it.

But I Will Miss a Few Things About Summer

Preferring the Season does not mean I am completely ready to say goodbye to summer.

There are still things I will miss.

The empty stretch of road.

The easy restaurant table.

The open beach parking space.

The quieter mornings.

The feeling that you can decide where to go without planning quite as much.

Those small conveniences become part of the rhythm of living here year-round.

And by the end of summer, you get used to them.

Final Thought

Living year-round in South Florida means getting to know two very different versions of the same place.

Summer is hot, humid, quieter, and a little easier.

Season is cooler, livelier, and full of the energy that comes with some of the best weather of the year.

I enjoy summer’s breathing room.

I’ll miss the empty roads, the easy restaurant table, and being able to find a beach parking space without much thought.

But when that first hint of lower humidity arrives, and you realize Season is coming?

I’m ready.

Given the choice, I’ll take Season every time.

𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐦𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦
Local Jupiter real estate advisors with 45+ years of combined experience