Summers: Phoenix vs Dallas (Houston, Fort Worth: transplants, mover, motel)

[FutureMover08]

For anyone who has lived in both or spent a lot of time in both, which has worse summers Phoenix or Dallas and what makes the one you pick worse than the other? I know it can be a matter of preference and that both are a lot worse than average but between those two which do you think is worse?

[rb4browns]

Originally Posted by FutureMover08

For anyone who has lived in both or spent a lot of time in both, which has worse summers Phoenix or Dallas and what makes the one you pick worse than the other? I know it can be a matter of preference and that both are a lot worse than average but between those two which do you think is worse?

I haven't lived in Phoenix but have spent time there. I think it is worse there. But as with all of these threads, take that with a grain of salt. This is a completely subjective question. I find that the low 100's is at the limit of tolerable for me, but the 107-109 degree summertime highs to be over the top.

[Runnn]

Originally Posted by rb4browns

I haven't lived in Phoenix but have spent time there. I think it is worse there. But as with all of these threads, take that with a grain of salt. This is a completely subjective question. I find that the low 100's is at the limit of tolerable for me, but the 107-109 degree summertime highs to be over the top.

I agree! It's HOT like an oven... very oppressive heat IMHO.

[KantLockeMeIn]

Originally Posted by rb4browns

I haven't lived in Phoenix but have spent time there. I think it is worse there. But as with all of these threads, take that with a grain of salt. This is a completely subjective question. I find that the low 100's is at the limit of tolerable for me, but the 107-109 degree summertime highs to be over the top.

105 in the shade is the upper limit for me. In the full sun, 95 is too hot here. Shade is a valuable commidity here.

[BstYet2Be]

Here are the annual average charts for both that include all the variances, including humidity... which I think you will find to be the biggest factor in determining the difference that makes it more or less tolerable for you in the summer months here in Dallas.

The people that I know that have relocated here from Phoenix consider it extremely more humid than Phoenix... thus less comfortable for them... while we found it much more comfortable since the humidity was so much less than where we moved from... as said before... it's all in what you're used to... and fortunately, we do adjust!

Climate Information for Dallas - Fort Worth*-*Texas*-*Southwest*-*United States*-*Climate Zone
Climate Information for Phoenix*-*Arizona*-*Southwest*-*United States*-*Climate Zone

[bluesoldier76]

Keep in mind that Phoenix is in the Sonoran Desert, so it's summers are on another level than Dallas. It's in the freakin' desert!! The heat is a very, very dry heat. It feels like the sun is actually leaning on you or that you reside in an oven. But do you know what the biggest surprise is for a lot of transplants to Phoenix (at least the ones I know)? The effect the heat has on material things, like cars: engines can overheat very easily. You also have to BLAST your AC in the car at ALL times in order to have a warm interior instead of a blazing hot interior. AC repair is big business there. You will also have to keep the AC blasting in your home as well. Also, keep in mind that summers are longer in Phoenix as well, so when you begin to search for relief, it will be a ways off.

As New2sa noted above, Dallas will feel humid to someone from Phoenix. But it really isn't. Houston, the Sauna of the South, is humid. Seriously, if summer temperatures are a concern, stay away from Phoenix.

[FutureMover08]

I think Dallas is about the same as far as humidity goes as to where I'm at now so I don't think that's going to be a big deal. I want a place that is warm for the majority of the year but I just think Phoenix is way too hot for way too long and I think Dallas is a better fit for me. I don't mind some cool/cold weather but I'd prefer that it not be for 5 months straight with not many breaks. I can take a pretty long and hot summer but it's looking like Phoenix is blazing hot for at least 5 months out of the year which is too much for me. According to the stats Dallas looks fine except for June-September or so which I can deal with. Phoenix is bad from May-October but has a nicer winter than Dallas so I guess it's whichever tradeoff you want.

[momof2dfw]

I'll say this, you can NOT beat days like today or yesterday here in Dallas and we get some like this all year round. I LOVE having a convertible for days like today. The weather is PERFECT! Very little humidity, mild breeze, sunshine to partly cloudy and 80.

[aceplace]

When I lived in Phoenix, they would tell me horror stories about the previous summer.

Walking out of your front door was like opening the door of an oven. They had to close the airport because the aircraft settings for flaps on takeoff was only calibrated up to 120 degrees, etc.

In Phoenix, they actually have gadgets to COOL your swimming pool. They have to lay in special grass that will survive the summer's heat. Bare dirt is a normal landscaping ground cover, albeit it is a nice shade of red.

I did finally pass through one summer. I checked into a motel and hit the pool. It felt like a Jacuzzi with the heat set too low.

[rb4browns]

Originally Posted by FutureMover08

I think Dallas is about the same as far as humidity goes as to where I'm at now so I don't think that's going to be a big deal. I want a place that is warm for the majority of the year but I just think Phoenix is way too hot for way too long and I think Dallas is a better fit for me. I don't mind some cool/cold weather but I'd prefer that it not be for 5 months straight with not many breaks. I can take a pretty long and hot summer but it's looking like Phoenix is blazing hot for at least 5 months out of the year which is too much for me. According to the stats Dallas looks fine except for June-September or so which I can deal with. Phoenix is bad from May-October but has a nicer winter than Dallas so I guess it's whichever tradeoff you want.

I have found the winter here to be wonderful. It will get down in the the low 30's for a week and then bounce up to the 60's and back down. Five months ago it was in the high 80's - low 90's, the winter does not last long here. It's just cold enough to be sharp but not miserable.