Kingman winters vs Fort Mohave summers (Phoenix, Flagstaff: house, buying, casinos)

[SeventyGTX]

Hello all, first time poster. We are looking to move to either Kingman or Fort Mohave from the high desert in Fallon, Nv. The reason Fort Mohave is I have a friend that moved there last year and loves it. However he and his wife are big gamblers and we are not, so living near casinos is not important to us. But with average temps well over 100 from May to Sept really has me apprehensive about Fort Mohave. We get at 100 here occasionally, but generally in the 90's in summer.

So after checking out GoogleEarth I saw Kingman which is less than an hour away, but with higher altitude around 3500ft. We are currently at 4000ft and have brutally cold winters at times with an average low of 20 in Dec/Jan sometimes getting near zero. Highs in the 30's/low 40's. Plus there is almost always a wind chill. We are retired and as I get older I just cannot deal with the cold any longer. Both areas fit our budget for buying a nice home but cannot decide if the average winter temps (33 low in Jan/Dec) in Kingman override the blazing summer temps in Fort Mohave. Any input on both areas is appreciated.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by SeventyGTX

Hello all, first time poster. We are looking to move to either Kingman or Fort Mohave from the high desert in Fallon, Nv. The reason Fort Mohave is I have a friend that moved there last year and loves it. However he and his wife are big gamblers and we are not, so living near casinos is not important to us. But with average temps well over 100 from May to Sept really has me apprehensive about Fort Mohave. We get at 100 here occasionally, but generally in the 90's in summer.

So after checking out GoogleEarth I saw Kingman which is less than an hour away, but with higher altitude around 3500ft. We are currently at 4000ft and have brutally cold winters at times with an average low of 20 in Dec/Jan sometimes getting near zero. Highs in the 30's/low 40's. Plus there is almost always a wind chill. We are retired and as I get older I just cannot deal with the cold any longer. Both areas fit our budget for buying a nice home but cannot decide if the average winter temps (33 low in Jan/Dec) in Kingman override the blazing summer temps in Fort Mohave. Any input on both areas is appreciated.

I live in Phoenix and if I didn't still have to work for a living, I'd live in Kingman myself. There's enough shopping and whatnot for all you need, 90 mins to Vegas, 2 1/2 hrs to Phoenix and 2 hrs to Flagstaff if you want to cool off in the summer at all. Kingman has the most moderate climate in Arizona that doesn't get pounded with rain in the summer like southeast Arizona does.

In Kingman, the absolute coldest low of the year will be in the high 10s. It's "not cold" enough that there are palm trees there. Most winter mornings are between 25 and 40. Most winter afternoons are between 50 and 70, with the coldest couple days having highs in the low to mid 40s.

Spring and fall are ideal in Kingman. From March to May, mornings are mainly 35 to 60 with afternoons between 60 and 90. From September to November, mornings are between 35 and 65 and afternoons are between 55 and 95.

Summer in Kingman is not terrible. June through August, most days are in the 90s with mornings 60 to 75. I'd say maybe 10 to 15 days per year hit 100+ in Kingman. The hottest day most years is around 105 or so.

Honestly, Ft Mohave is only better in winter. The rest of the year, I'd avoid the Colorado River Valley altogether

[Huckleberry3911948]

King man has strong winds to go with that winter pretty quiet place otherwise
King man is like cactus the spins are very fine almost unnoticeable until you get up close

[Oklazona Bound]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

I live in Phoenix and if I didn't still have to work for a living, I'd live in Kingman myself. There's enough shopping and whatnot for all you need, 90 mins to Vegas, 2 1/2 hrs to Phoenix and 2 hrs to Flagstaff if you want to cool off in the summer at all. Kingman has the most moderate climate in Arizona that doesn't get pounded with rain in the summer like southeast Arizona does.

In Kingman, the absolute coldest low of the year will be in the high 10s. It's "not cold" enough that there are palm trees there. Most winter mornings are between 25 and 40. Most winter afternoons are between 50 and 70, with the coldest couple days having highs in the low to mid 40s.

Spring and fall are ideal in Kingman. From March to May, mornings are mainly 35 to 60 with afternoons between 60 and 90. From September to November, mornings are between 35 and 65 and afternoons are between 55 and 95.

Summer in Kingman is not terrible. June through August, most days are in the 90s with mornings 60 to 75. I'd say maybe 10 to 15 days per year hit 100+ in Kingman. The hottest day most years is around 105 or so.

Honestly, Ft Mohave is only better in winter. The rest of the year, I'd avoid the Colorado River Valley altogether

I would have to agree Kingman is better. Ft. Mohave is one of the hottest places in Arizona and the country in the summer. For me when it gets to 110 its unbearable heat. They usually get at least 30 days of 110 degree days. Occasionally over 120.

[SeventyGTX]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot. We have wind almost daily here in northern Nevada as well. My buddy in Fort Mohave said they get a lot of it too. Seems to be a desert thing. Leaning towards Kingman at the moment. I think I can deal with a couple months of at or near freezing compared to a couple months of way over 100 heat.

We have a few 100 degree days, in fact had one yesterday and it was hot. Not sure I want to deal with 10 - 15 degrees more than that on a daily basis. Can't imagine what the electric bill would be to keep the house cool.

[nightfly44]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

Summer in Kingman is not terrible.

I just have to reiterate this; I purchased my house in Kingman two years ago, and while it does go over 100 often enough, in the shade, with the almost constant breeze off the desert, it just doesn't seem that hot (now, I'm coming from NJ, where summers are hot AND very humid).
Winters are mild enough for me to go out at night with a medium jacket; daytime? a windbreaker at most. Summers are terrific, too, compared to most of the country. 'Yeah, but it's a dry heat'. Makes all the difference in the world. 90 and humid in NJ is hell, doesn't matter if there's a breeze or not; 103 and dry in Kingman is just fine, thank you.
Friends and relatives who have visited me here, think it's great, even the guy who said he hates the heat. He came in May. Stayed until September.

[alyric2]

Originally Posted by nightfly44

I just have to reiterate this; I purchased my house in Kingman two years ago, and while it does go over 100 often enough, in the shade, with the almost constant breeze off the desert, it just doesn't seem that hot (now, I'm coming from NJ, where summers are hot AND very humid).
Winters are mild enough for me to go out at night with a medium jacket; daytime? a windbreaker at most. Summers are terrific, too, compared to most of the country. 'Yeah, but it's a dry heat'. Makes all the difference in the world. 90 and humid in NJ is hell, doesn't matter if there's a breeze or not; 103 and dry in Kingman is just fine, thank you.
Friends and relatives who have visited me here, think it's great, even the guy who said he hates the heat. He came in May. Stayed until September.

We have lived here for a little over 4yrs. now. Last week when it was 108 here we went to Bullhead & Fort Mohave 121 degrees. We had to open her security door with a towel. We like to visit Bullhead, Fort Mohave, and Lake Havasu from October through April. Summertime is just a little too hot for me. It felt good to come back to Kingman. We also have the Hualapai mountains just a short 15min drive. 10-15 degrees cooler. Nice to hike in the evening or morning.

[Jd1a]

How is the water, any issues?

[sagecoach22]

I'm in Phx and considering a move to Kingman or even GV. I'll probably call the water co but one wonders if you'll get the 'full story'.

[mrshowtime3]

Ive been around a lot of the country by car. Kingman is a top 10 dump I have ever been to. Visit first.

The only place in western AZ that a person should even consider is Havasu. Theres a ton of money in that town. Which helps keep the meth heads down.