Being retired, climate is not a consideration, because I don't have to go out in whatever weather is happening. If it's too; cold, hot, snowy, humid, etc., I'm not there.
Born & raised in BUF. Grad. in '69, left in '70 for my job. Have lived in; DC, Chicago, Houston. Seattle, Williamsburg VA., and finally Richmond. I've lived through Cat 5 hurricane in Houston (Alicia '83), hurricane Isabel in VA. 2003, and more snow storms than I could count. Any snow is Seattle is brutal because of all the steep hills. So, with all that, I'd go back to BUF except for one thing, Taxes! Retiree income does not go very far in NYS. I love it, but can't afford it.