Does AZ heat really feel that bad? (Phoenix, Tucson: high crime, Home Depot)

[MotleyCrew]

We do not have a pool. Last summer I was tempted to sit in my Koi pond. I would put a pool in if I could do it all over. The only thing that gets to me is not being able to throw the windows open at night and hearing the air conditioner run 24/7. Other than that, we shop very early or later in the day.

[Clint_Noname]

Originally Posted by kdog

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.

Seems like a decent place to live -- low crime, low housing costs, etc. -- but it's a bit too small for me. The next place I live should at least be big enough to have a mall, and Kingman doesn't seem to have that (I looked up "malls in kingman, az" and the closest results were in Bullhead City, about 40 miles away). It does have a small community college, though.

I looked up Bullhead City as well. Like the other cities, it has low crime and housing costs. I think it had a mall, but no college, and not much recreation as far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong).

Yuma has the lowest housing costs of the four cities, a mall, a small college, as well as recreation on the Colorado River and ATV recreation in the Imperial Sand Dunes. Sure, it might not be the most attractive-looking city, but it seems to offer everything that I'm looking for.

If I do eventually work towards getting a Master's or Doctorate degree, I'll probably have to move to Tucson for the University later on...but that does depend on whether they can take care of the crime issues there or not.

[felcin30]

Originally Posted by Clint_Noname

Seems like a decent place to live -- low crime, low housing costs, etc. -- but it's a bit too small for me. The next place I live should at least be big enough to have a mall, and Kingman doesn't seem to have that (I looked up "malls in kingman, az" and the closest results were in Bullhead City, about 40 miles away). It does have a small community college, though.

I looked up Bullhead City as well. Like the other cities, it has low crime and housing costs. I think it had a mall, but no college, and not much recreation as far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong).

Yuma has the lowest housing costs of the four cities, a mall, a small college, as well as recreation on the Colorado River and ATV recreation in the Imperial Sand Dunes. Sure, it might not be the most attractive-looking city, but it seems to offer everything that I'm looking for.

If I do eventually work towards getting a Master's or Doctorate degree, I'll probably have to move to Tucson for the University later on...but that does depend on whether they can take care of the crime issues there or not.

Wow. funny how this is the thread referring to the heat in AZ and those 2 cities above are always the 2 hottest spots in the entire nation (probably north america) each and every summer! Are we on the wrong topic???

[arizonapearl]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Let's me be up front - during the summer, particularily July and August, it gets HOT, dang hot! You will have 20 to 30 days in a row with highs @ 110 or above. AND, in August, we usually have our monsoons - which adds some lovely humidity to the mix.The trick is, how to HANDLE the heat.

First, you plan your outdoor activities around the heat - shopping in the morning - not the heat of the day. Same with other outdoor activities.

Next, you will drink a LOT of water - not beer - not softdrinks - WATER. AND, if you are outside and stop sweating - you are in danger of heat stroke - WATER.

Then, dress accordingly - no nylons or silks. Cotton is best. AND, LONG SLEEVES during the day. It will actually keep you cooler. And, if outside during the day, give serious consideration to wearing a hat. Good sunglasses too.

The first summer tends to be the "worst" one - but, if you follow some simple things - it really is not that bad.

Welcome.

I've lived in Yuma, AZ 10 years and having moved from Texas, and a frequent visitor to the East Coast during summer (e.g. humid) months. I prefer the high temps with low humidity to the moderate temps and escalated humidity found in the midwest/east. The key is timing your out of doors activities (you wont see anyone at city parks before dusk) and push the water...if you feel thirsty, consider yourself dehydrated and drink ever more water. The post above spells it out perfectly. The first summer will test you, then you will bask in the winter weather and love not shoveling ...anything...! the worst time is late summer/early fall when the ground heat matches the surrounding air temps...but then you know cooler weather is just within reach and its bearable. Good luck!

[silvermountain]

Let me put it this way:
I have had soda cans explode in my car it was so hot.
Deodorant has evaporated from inside car, recongealed on glass sunroof.
Rocks around pool steam when water hits them.
3rd degree burns when checking mail barefoot.
Cars overheating in traffic.
Car batteries never last more than one year.
Can't wash car at home because water dries, leaving hard water spots on car before I can wipe off.
I often had to take two shirts for business meetings because impossible not to sweat during commute.
100 degrees at midnight = no relief from heat.
Cold drinks stay cold in car about 30 minutes.
Don't eat the potato salad at picnicks-- any food at this heat becomes a petri dish in an incubator with good nutrient agarose gel.
I have bent much more metal than I should be able to because it is so hot.

Now, I've lived where it is so cold that I haven't been able to change a tire because it froze to the ground; and other cold problems. I would take the cold over heat anytime.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by silvermountain

Let me put it this way:
I have had soda cans explode in my car it was so hot.
Deodorant has evaporated from inside car, recongealed on glass sunroof.
Rocks around pool steam when water hits them.
3rd degree burns when checking mail barefoot.
Cars overheating in traffic.
Car batteries never last more than one year.
Can't wash car at home because water dries, leaving hard water spots on car before I can wipe off.
I often had to take two shirts for business meetings because impossible not to sweat during commute.
100 degrees at midnight = no relief from heat.
Cold drinks stay cold in car about 30 minutes.
Don't eat the potato salad at picnicks-- any food at this heat becomes a petri dish in an incubator with good nutrient agarose gel.
I have bent much more metal than I should be able to because it is so hot.

Now, I've lived where it is so cold that I haven't been able to change a tire because it froze to the ground; and other cold problems. I would take the cold over heat anytime.

what if you put on shoes when checking the mail.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

what if you put on shoes when checking the mail.

LOL! The Phoenix area is the only place I've noticed in my travels where people will walk around the neighborhood barefoot on the sidewalks. As a child, all of us were advised to never do that due to broken glass and other yucky things on the floor outside, so I won't (that's what flip-flops are for). I'm surprised that people still dare to go around barefoot outside of their home.

[43north87west]

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 moved from Virginia (Washington DC) and let me tell you something, you haven't felt heat like they have there. Walk out the door and you're drenched in 30 seconds.

Arizona is much different. The heat is HOT, but not as uncomfortable. The sun will get you though. The heat can get you without warning because you don't notice yourself perspiring, so beware.

As far as the FEEL of the heat goes, it is not oppressive to me, but then again, that's just me. I lived my life in the Midwest, the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and now here. This is the most comfortable of the hot weather I've experienced. And the moderate weather is nice and dry as well, which makes it much better on any joint type aches and pains that you might have. I feel pretty good living here.

[shilo0854]

When I lived here going thru the 3rd-7th grade it didn't bother me. When I moved back at 19 my first car here I had not air conditioning. In my 20-40's ok its just hot. I'm now 53 and I'm really tired of the heat. Someone said about your oven at 100 -115 degrees is what it feels like here is TRUE. The good thing is if your a golfer you get to golf really cheap. I would recommend getting your windows tinted to cut UV and wear lots of sunscreen. We do have many people who love the sun with skin cancer. Enjoy this state while your here you may stay the rest of your life. I'm from WI and I'm moving to KY in May '09'. Like I said I loved it for years now I'm just tired of the heat. I will say I respect our Gov. and love Beth and Bill in the morning

[roadrunner1]

I live in the DC area, and with July and August to humid and hot Jan/Feb to cold. I would prefer just 2 months not being able to go outside. But at least in AZ you can always drive to where the weather is different! On the 4th of July 06 it was 114 deg in Tucson, when to Mt Lemon and it was 89 degrees!