It's all relative. To someone who lives where it rarely drops below 59° (15C), near freezing temps feel cold indeed. Also remember that in tropical and sub tropical homes rarely have central heat, and people may not own coats, boots or any winter clothing.

If you follow the news, it's not Alberta, Minnesota, or New York where pipes are freezing and bursting, it's places like Houston, where building codes don't factor sub freezing conditions.