Everybody wants to find the perfect place to live, but there is always a downside to even the most treasured locales.

Just imagine if Florida could be hot, sunny and never have storms. It would be the perfect location!

However, Florida has hurricanes, which will never stop.

Those who choose to live in Florida have to be prepared for hurricanes, and can sometimes lose their homes.

This topic came up in one of my classes last week.

Why would people choose to live in Florida when the hurricanes can cause them to lose their homes, or even lives?

Although Florida has to deal with hurricanes, there are also a lot of positives to the state.

Who wouldn’t want to be in the sun and warm weather at all times? Or live right on the beach? Florida is a tropical paradise.

Hurricanes may not hit Illinois, but tornadoes and snowstorms do.

In Illinois, there also aren’t the constant sunny, warmer temperatures that those in Florida have.

For most people who live in Illinois, Florida seems like a dream.

But when Florida is in the news for yet another hurricane, it makes people question why anyone would want to live there.

Well, I would ask why people want to live in Illinois.

The weather changes daily, or sometimes hourly. Snow and rain are main staples, as is cold weather.

Tornadoes can also strike and be just as devastating as a hurricane.

Illinois has no ocean or white sand beaches.

Residents can go weeks without proper sunshine and months without a decent temperature.

But in Illinois, residents get to experience all four seasons, which some people really like. There is snowfall, which can be pretty and fun in moderation.

Those in Florida rarely experience snow.

For them, a White Christmas truly is a miracle.

The point I am getting at is that there are always negative aspects to the most perfect scenarios.

Florida may seem to be the perfect place to live, but there are also hurricanes.

Illinois may seem great because hurricanes don’t happen, but there are snowstorms and tornadoes.

There is no avoiding the negatives.

Options and consequences have to be weighed in order for someone to decide the best location for them.

Abby Allgire is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at

[email protected].