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Interesting-how long does that humidity last in the summer? Would you need to have the a/c on frequently as I do here? I've basically had it on since June non-stop
Well, the SW DOES get hot during the summer - especially at low altitudes SW Arizona and southern Nevada are funaces - so AC needs to be on ALOT. Higher elevations are much more pleasant that time of year. SE Arizona is very pleasant in the summer (even with the humidity) - because much of it is at 3,500 - 4,500 feet. Not been to NM, but know it's at higher elevation still, so summer should be plesant (though warm) as well.
SE California, SW Arizona, and Southern Nevada are usually the nations hotspots in the summer (low elevation, low latitude desert).
ryanwex: I am from Portland, Oregon so I can give you some idea of the place.
Portland is very humid right now (75-80%) and it feels like crap. That's just my feeling. However, when it really matters (it's hot), there is no humidity. During the winter months when it's rainy, it is humid. You can feel it, even though it's not hot. Me, personally I feel it on my skin. It feels like I just got soaked in some grease. I hate it. On another note, Portland is VERY progressive. You will see mostly democrats, socialists, anarachists, and communists in the city. The suburbs are a bit more conservative, but really WHO wants to live in any cities suburbs? Unless of course you're 60, but even then the city isn't a bad choice. Portland is such a great city to live in too. You have amazing public transit. (best on the west coast imo), really funky/fun neighborhoods, great art scene and local indie music scene. There's not a lot to do in terms of night clubs and so on, but there are a few. I just don't think anyone really attends them. Portland does NOT have an atmosphere where guys wear collared shirts and italian leather shoes and chicks carry the latest trendy purse. There are people like that here, but nothing like most cities. I lived in San Jose for a year and I have NEVER seen so many people concerned with their status. Anyway, all three cities that you're looking at sound nice to me.
EDIT: According to weather.com Portland has 91% humidity right now. Bleh. It's like they say heat in Arizona doesn't matter because it is dry, well that's not totally true. It's also not totally true that just because it is cooler you can't feel the humidity. It's not hot, just sticky as hell.
Interesting-how long does that humidity last in the summer? Would you need to have the a/c on frequently as I do here? I've basically had it on since June non-stop
It depends on how well you can handle the heat. I dont do too well with it, at least not for extended periods of time like the southwest experiences. I dont spend much time in ABQ, but I spend lots of time in PHX. The reason I dont recommend PHX is because its probably too hot for you based on your criteria. This year they had 33 (!!!!) days where it was 110 degrees or over. Their record is 124 degrees. In case you didnt know, thats hotter than hot. It is a dry heat, but its relentless and its supremely taxing (for me at least). Hot temps start in late April and dont stop until mid October, which even then can get quite hot too. ABQ's weather is much more mild than PHX's based on elevation. Plus, the traffic and crime is better and its more liberal than PHX, which would be a plus in your book.
It depends on how well you can handle the heat. I dont do too well with it, at least not for extended periods of time like the southwest experiences. I dont spend much time in ABQ, but I spend lots of time in PHX. The reason I dont recommend PHX is because its probably too hot for you based on your criteria. This year they had 33 (!!!!) days where it was 110 degrees or over. Their record is 124 degrees. In case you didnt know, thats hotter than hot. It is a dry heat, but its relentless and its supremely taxing (for me at least). Hot temps start in late April and dont stop until mid October, which even then can get quite hot too. ABQ's weather is much more mild than PHX's based on elevation. Plus, the traffic and crime is better and its more liberal than PHX, which would be a plus in your book.
Oh yeah, Phoenix is a furnace in the summer. Plenty of more comfortable SW locations that time of year. The reason so many folks like Phoenix is because their typical January highs are in the mid-60's - with a record high of 88. Pretty darned nice for the middle of winter. Hot as Hades in the summer though (even when the humidity is low).
Thats amazing! I cant even imagine. Because of my condition and the humidity I still have my a/c on now. Its not even that hot, its just the humidity.
Current conditions in Philadelphia:
A dewpoint of 61 F which means their current temp of 69 F has 76% humidity under overcast skies.
I'm not sure where the dewpoints rise to in the Pacific northwest, but if dewpoints (which determine how thick the air feels) approaching 60 F are too much, perhaps you'd prefer an arid climate.
For me with that forecast, that level of humidity might be noticeable, but not a problem. I might even have the heat instead of A/C turned on.
ryanwex: I am from Portland, Oregon so I can give you some idea of the place.
Portland is very humid right now (75-80%) and it feels like crap. That's just my feeling. However, when it really matters (it's hot), there is no humidity. During the winter months when it's rainy, it is humid. You can feel it, even though it's not hot. Me, personally I feel it on my skin. It feels like I just got soaked in some grease. I hate it.
EDIT: According to weather.com Portland has 91% humidity right now. Bleh. It's like they say heat in Arizona doesn't matter because it is dry, well that's not totally true. It's also not totally true that just because it is cooler you can't feel the humidity. It's not hot, just sticky as hell.
I checked Portland's weather too:
55 F with a dewpoint of 51 F, making 87% humidity
That level of humidity for me would feel good and is so low, it just makes the air feel "soft." Maybe it's genes and/or enviroment that makes the air feel sticky or not. For me, I can't feel sticky if I'm not at least partially overheated. I also prefer year-round dewpoints above 32 F so I don't feel chapped.
I would recommend Boulder, CO or Fort Collins, CO-- possibly Denver, too if you want a bigger city. BTW, Albuquerque, NM and the Colorado Front Range cities can get pretty toasty in the summertime. Nowhere near as bad as Phoenix or Las Vegas, but still temperatures routinely in the upper 90's (and with global warming trends, low 100s). Now, if living in a big city is not a requirement, and money is not an issue, then I would recommend living somewhere in a Rocky Mountain town. Cool summers, and COLD but beautiful winters, with a lot of dry, powdery snow. Places like Aspen are extremely liberal.
Albuquerque is about 5,500 ft and Santa Fe is almost 8,000 feet.
From the stats I've seen Albuquerque averages in the low 90's in summer while Santa Fe about mid 80's.
Surprisingly, Santa Fe's winters are almost as mild as Albuquerque's averaging in the high 40's F. Santa Fe also has much cooler springs and somewhat cooler autumns.
Albuquerque's official records are 107 F and -17 F
Santa Fe's official records are 100 F and -29 F
*Weather Channel stats
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It is a dry heat, but its relentless and its supremely taxing (for me at least). Hot temps start in late April and dont stop until mid October, which even then can get quite hot too. 
ABQ's weather is much more mild than PHX's based on elevation. Plus, the traffic and crime is better and its more liberal than PHX, which would be a plus in your book.
