I live in Michigan and the weather swings between arctic tundra and bowels of hell. :) We didn't have AC growing up and we managed somehow- sleeping in the basement or out in a tent which wasn't much cooler than inside, cool rags on our heads, you name it. Anything we could to stay cool. I was in Florida two Septembers ago and I would say I couldn't have dealt with that heat and humidity without AC. So, some places AC is a necessity. :)