Not to throw cold water on your project, but in NH, 3-4 months isn't the amount of time you'd have to put up with snow; it's the amount of time you'd have to enjoy decent, sunny, warm weather. In New England, our winters last a good 6 months. It's not unheard of to get snow in late April/early May, or be snowbound from early October on out.
Holy cow! I didn't know it was that bad. Before we moved to Seattle, we lived in Chicago. I was a little tyke and don't remmeber it being that bad, but parents were killed by the heat and the cold. I do remember the cold. All things considered, I'll take heat over cold.
Just to keep everybody participating, we are also considering FL. Panhandle or Augustine east.
The TX people are making a strong case and their sense of humor is my style! :D
However, NH hasn't been ruled out. I like to think I make the decisions, but wife is really in charge. ;)