Does AZ heat really feel that bad? (Phoenix, Yuma: apartment complex, living)

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Barbie4747

I agree - the heat is all relative. But, I know I can handle 100ish degrees for a while because the humidity here is unbearable. And, tomorrow we are expecting 35 degrees and 6 inches of snow. AZ is definitely the way to go if you are not a winter person!

is everyone forgetting our weather up north, it gets pretty cold in FS

[Clint_Noname]

Flagstaff is too cold and has too much snow, and housing costs are extremely high. Prescott seems like a nice place to live, but the housing costs there are also extremely high.

I did some research, and I guess the best choices for me are western Arizona cities like Yuma and Lake Havasu City. They both have some of the lowest housing costs in the state, as well as low crime. These areas are considered by many of the people on this forum to be the armpits of the state, but I would gladly prefer an unattractive setting over the high crime and extremely rapid growth that you find in places like Phoenix and Tucson, as well as the flooding and horrible weather out here in the Midwest.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Clint_Noname

Flagstaff is too cold and has too much snow, and housing costs are extremely high. Prescott seems like a nice place to live, but the housing costs there are also extremely high.

I did some research, and I guess the best choices for me are western Arizona cities like Yuma and Lake Havasu City. They both have some of the lowest housing costs in the state, as well as low crime. These areas are considered by many of the people on this forum to be the armpits of the state, but I would gladly prefer an unattractive setting over the high crime and extremely rapid growth that you find in places like Phoenix and Tucson, as well as the flooding and horrible weather out here in the Midwest.

I could be wrong but I'd bet that most of the suburban cities around Phoenix have lower crime rates than Yuma. Yuma is one of the fastest growing cities in the state and the nation and is not a small town anymore by anyone's yardstick. Lake Havasu used to be a super deal, but it is very expensive now. Texas sounds like your kind of place.

[Clint_Noname]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I could be wrong but I'd bet that most of the suburban cities around Phoenix have lower crime rates than Yuma.

Well, almost all suburban cities have very low crime anyways. When I said "Phoenix" I was mentioning the actual city, but the suburbs have the same growth, sprawl, and traffic issues that you'll find in the city itself.

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Yuma is one of the fastest growing cities in the state and the nation and is not a small town anymore by anyone's yardstick. Lake Havasu used to be a super deal, but it is very expensive now. Texas sounds like your kind of place.

Texas has temperatures that are just as bad as AZ, but with about 3 times the humidity. They also get a lot of tornadoes and even some hurricanes and flooding. Texas weather isn't really a lot different from typical Midwest weather, which is what I'm trying to escape from.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I could be wrong but I'd bet that most of the suburban cities around Phoenix have lower crime rates than Yuma. Yuma is one of the fastest growing cities in the state and the nation and is not a small town anymore by anyone's yardstick. Lake Havasu used to be a super deal, but it is very expensive now. Texas sounds like your kind of place.

Good call. Texas is ugly, but cheap with resonable crime. you would have to take me kicking and sreaming to get me there, but it DOES sound like what the poster is looking for.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Clint_Noname

After the recent flooding here in the Midwest, I am considering moving to Arizona where there is much less rain and no snow. I have always known that Arizona is the hottest state in the United States in terms of temperatures, but then found out that Illinois is 2-4 times more humid in the summers than Arizona. Despite the fact that Arizona heat is "dry", I always hear people complain that it's so hot, they can't breathe. I know that the opinion of what AZ heat feels like can vary significantly from person to person, but how does it really feel like? Here in Illinois, we sometimes get temperatures that are just as bad...except there's much more humidity. People I know who have visited Arizona say that the lack of humidity makes you not sweat, which would probably feel more comfortable to me!

I don't know who doesn't sweat here. It's hot but at least you are getting away from the extreme weather patterns. If you don't like the heat sit inside with the air conditioner or sit in the pool. Just make sure your car has an air conditioner.

[ted08721]

Does anybody have an idea what the temp difference is between Prescott and Prescott Valley?

[WestcoastBrit]

I moved from Tampa Bay to Lake Havasu City and much prefer 120F dry heat over 95F and humid. Just take care handling your seatbelt buckle as after June it becomes a branding iron!

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Clint_Noname

I did some research, and I guess the best choices for me are western Arizona cities like Yuma and Lake Havasu City.

You might check out Kingman as well. Much milder summer temps, due to being at 3500'. Housing costs are very low. Not a huge amount of crime. Fantastic views, clean air, no traffic, best sunsets and sunrises.

[xwideopenskyx]

Originally Posted by Clint_Noname

Flagstaff is too cold and has too much snow, and housing costs are extremely high. Prescott seems like a nice place to live, but the housing costs there are also extremely high.

I did some research, and I guess the best choices for me are western Arizona cities like Yuma and Lake Havasu City. They both have some of the lowest housing costs in the state, as well as low crime. These areas are considered by many of the people on this forum to be the armpits of the state, but I would gladly prefer an unattractive setting over the high crime and extremely rapid growth that you find in places like Phoenix and Tucson, as well as the flooding and horrible weather out here in the Midwest.

You didn't pick the armpits of the state, in my opinion, but you certainly picked the hottest locations in the state. You didn't mention if you have visited AZ or not. If you have not, I would highly recommend that you do
during July and August.

Yes, we do sweat here, big time! It just doesn't feel as sticky or sauna like.
I am a transplant from Ohio and I love the heat but Yuma or Lake Havasu is
a bit too much for me. You may have your mind set against Phoenix or Tucson but the towns or areas surrounding those cities might offer what you are looking for. I settled in a rural area 20 miles southwest of Tucson, low cost, low crime and no rapid growth within sight, at least not yet, with big city amenities within driving distance.

I explored most of the state before my relocation. Come out for a visit and
see for yourself and check out the areas that interest you.

If you're open to suggestions, check out these places online:
Benson, Mescal, J-6, Willcox, Safford, San Manuel, Mammoth, Oracle, Catalina, Marana, Avra Valley, Picture Rocks, Three Points. All cooler than Yuma or LHC but hot enough.

Good Luck!