Nicer place to live overall: Arizona -or- Florida ? (Phoenix, Tucson: best city, apartment)

[meo92953]

I came to visit in July & was comfortable. Moved here September 1st & the heat did drag on. But it's nice now &, coming from Minnesota, I'm going to really appreciate the winter! I've heard it can get cold so kept some of my winter apparel. My sister was disappointed because she wanted my winter coat, lol. We'll see what cold means here when it happens.

Who knows, I just may have to send it to her.

I have found, even in the warm days, that it's cool morning & evening enough to warrant a light jacket, so that is when I do shopping, etc .

I really like it here so far.

[markeg]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

Yes you should definitely visit in the summer. Honestly, it is very hot, but the lack of humidity appeals to many people, hence, part of the reason we're growing so fast. Dust storms are more of a nuisance and are dangerous if you're driving in one because your visibility is hindered but you won't be swept away like in a hurricane. If you can adjust to desert living this may be a good place.

I know that 120 degrees is much warmer than our normal 98 degree days in the summer. The humidity here makes 98 feel like 120. I say once it gets past 110 its all the same.
I also say, if I'm working in the summer I rarely go out except for walking to the garage to my car and getting some exercise in by walking outside in the evening when it cools down a tad.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by markeg

I know that 120 degrees is much warmer than our normal 98 degree days in the summer. The humidity here makes 98 feel like 120. I say once it gets past 110 its all the same.
I also say, if I'm working in the summer I rarely go out except for walking to the garage to my car and getting some exercise in by walking outside in the evening when it cools down a tad.

I experienced a 116° heat index in Little Rock, AR last July (97° temp with 79° dewpoint); it was worse than any day I have felt here

[autism360]

I lived near Jupiter Fl for 15 years and have lived in Arizona for 11 years now. All factors considered Arizona is the hands down winner.
1. better weather(7 months are better than Florida and the summer is more bearable than Florida)
2.closer proximity to weekend vacation areas(california,vegas,mexico and N arizona)
3 much less bugs
4 friendlier people( more people with core family values live in Az)
5 better housing available in AZ (newer and cheaper)
6 cheaper food costs due to having over a dozen different food stores in AZ as opposed to 1 major monopoly in Florida (Publix)
7 This is the reason I moved (no natural disasters in Arizona where in Florida you never no when life or property will be ruined by a hurricane or a tornado)

[markeg]

Originally Posted by autism360

I lived near Jupiter Fl for 15 years and have lived in Arizona for 11 years now. All factors considered Arizona is the hands down winner.
1. better weather(7 months are better than Florida and the summer is more bearable than Florida)
2.closer proximity to weekend vacation areas(california,vegas,mexico and N arizona)
3 much less bugs
4 friendlier people( more people with core family values live in Az)
5 better housing available in AZ (newer and cheaper)
6 cheaper food costs due to having over a dozen different food stores in AZ as opposed to 1 major monopoly in Florida (Publix)
7 This is the reason I moved (no natural disasters in Arizona where in Florida you never no when life or property will be ruined by a hurricane or a tornado)

These are all the reasons I want to make the move to AZ! The only thing I don't agree with is cheaper housing. I guess that's all depends where in Florida you live. I could definitely agree if I lived on the east coast of Florida. I live south of Tampa in a suburb, and if I move to Chandler or parts of Phoenix, housing costs much more. Then again it's all about location, location, location.

[markeg]

Originally Posted by autism360

Ask the people in Florida where they would rather live today and I bet a lot would say AZ.
Once you go through a real hurricane then every hurricane warning after that creates HUGE stress.

I had huge stress going for 2 weeks before Irma, during and after until I got home.
I Never want to go through that again. Besides, we're not getting any younger. Do I want to go through this 5 or 10 years from now?

[markeg]

I have to come visit again soon. I don't know which parts of Phoenix are nice to live, which parts fits my lifestyle, etc. I like to be near restaurants and things to do, and if I am asking too much, not much traffic. I don't know if that's possible.
I stayed in Chandler, and loved the area, but need to explore more areas to live. I understand north Phoenix is nice near East Deer Valley Dr?

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by markeg

I know that 120 degrees is much warmer than our normal 98 degree days in the summer. The humidity here makes 98 feel like 120. I say once it gets past 110 its all the same.
I also say, if I'm working in the summer I rarely go out except for walking to the garage to my car and getting some exercise in by walking outside in the evening when it cools down a tad.

You are correct; once the temp hits 110 all bets are off!

[wase4711]

Originally Posted by markeg

I have to come visit again soon. I don't know which parts of Phoenix are nice to live, which parts fits my lifestyle, etc. I like to be near restaurants and things to do, and if I am asking too much, not much traffic. I don't know if that's possible.
I stayed in Chandler, and loved the area, but need to explore more areas to live. I understand north Phoenix is nice near East Deer Valley Dr?

North Phoenix is fantastic; less traffic than the core of the city, everything is newer, gorgeous views, less expensive, whats not to love!

[popwar]

Originally Posted by wase4711

North Phoenix is fantastic; less traffic than the core of the city, everything is newer, gorgeous views, less expensive, whats not to love!

what towns are considered north phoenix? Is there a substantial climate change between north phoenix and the rest of the metro area?