Yeah, but it's a dry heat! (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: home, wedding reception, property taxes)

[icebucket]

Hello everyone. This is my first post so be gentle with me.

I live in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and I've become disenchanted with the East coast--too crowded; property taxes too high; too many cookie-cutter developments replacing farmland; too many people racing around to get nowhere fast. And I'm determined to find a better way of life.

I've never been to New Mexico, but for some reason I feel a strong need to visit--maybe I watched too many westerns as a kid, only God knows for sure.

My issue is that I'm not a fan of high temperatures, especially with high humidity and especially at night. It was 95 degrees here yesterday, and so humid that after a few minutes outside you quickly develop swamp butt. Not an enjoyable feeling to say the least.

A friend of mine who has been to Arizona, tells me the heat is not the same there. It's a dry heat and that shouldn't bother me as much. Does this hold water, or is HOT the same no mater if it's dry heat or humid?

Also, can anyone make any suggestions on a town/area for a first time visit for a guy who likes small friendly towns, with good taverns, surrounded by beautifu vistas.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[CelticLady1]

I've not actually lived in New Mexico, (though I have been there a few times, and I actually would like to live there), but I was raised in Wyoming, and believe it or not, it actually does get hot there as well. In my personal opinion, (having lived in Northwest Florida for some years now), a "humid" hot is much worse than dry hot. I absoutely despise the humidity; it really saps it out of you. In dry weather, as you sweat, it evaporates, thus actually creating a true "cooling" action, as your body intends, that is better for you. In humid weather, when you sweat, it just sits on your skin, and there is no evaporation, and your body does not benefit from a natural cooling. And, you can still get dehyrated in humid weather, because you may not drink as much water as you should, because you just don't realize that you are losing it. The one advantage to humidity is that your skin won't get as dry as it does out West. Your skin and lips will dry out real fast in Wyoming, New Mexico, etc., if you don't stay on top of things, (though I use lotions and lip balms all the time, even here in the South). The lotion and lip balm companies make a mint!

[Towanda]

Hi icebucket:

Welcome to the forum, and you have come to the right place for information about New Mexico.

Yes, the humidity is low here, and that makes the heat a lot more bearable.

As far as looking for a place to live in New Mexico ... well, the state is quite varied. First you must tell us what you are looking for. Do you want an area that gets some snow and cold, or one that has a mild/warm climate year round? There are many wonderful smaller sized towns in the state, and we all have our favorites. I am sure our members will come on here to give you some recommendations.

My suggestion to anyone who is interested in NM is that you visit the state, and see as much of it as you can to get an idea which area / town interests you the most. You need to experience the culture here; it is MUCH different than back east (I am from New York) and you may or may not like it.

Do lots of research; City-Data Forum has a lot of information on nearly every town in New Mexico, and of course you can search the internet for lots and lots of additional information. One thing I did while I was waiting to move here was to go online and read the newspapers in the various cities in the state; that gives you a good "feel" for the state.

Good luck in your search....and if you have specific questions ... ask away!

[AlisonL]

Icebucket,
My husband was in Albuquerque last week and said it was 93 degrees, but the humidity was only 8%. He said it is definitely a different kind of heat and he loved it. He works outside in his job and he said it will suit him just fine to work outside there. He said you do not end up soaked to the skin from sweating as humidity is so low.
We were in the 90s here in Maine on Sat., with 91% humidity and dew points in the 60s, so I am very much looking forward to much lower humidity in NM. Today its 80s but feels like an oven due to the humidity. Blech!!!!
Hope this has helped.

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

I've not actually lived in New Mexico, (though I have been there a few times, and I actually would like to live there), but I was raised in Wyoming, and believe it or not, it actually does get hot there as well. In my personal opinion, (having lived in Northwest Florida for some years now), a "humid" hot is much worse than dry hot. I absoutely despise the humidity; it really saps it out of you. In dry weather, as you sweat, it evaporates, thus actually creating a true "cooling" action, as your body intends, that is better for you. In humid weather, when you sweat, it just sits on your skin, and there is no evaporation, and your body does not benefit from a natural cooling. And, you can still get dehyrated in humid weather, because you may not drink as much water as you should, because you just don't realize that you are losing it. The one advantage to humidity is that your skin won't get as dry as it does out West. Your skin and lips will dry out real fast in Wyoming, New Mexico, etc., if you don't stay on top of things, (though I use lotions and lip balms all the time, even here in the South). The lotion and lip balm companies make a mint!

So True CelticLady as i lived in Jax Florida for 5 years and i love the heat and yet the humidity just killed me there. I ran my refrigerated air from the time i got home from work until i went to work the next morning as you sweat 24/7. I'd get out of the cold shower and 10 mins later i was covered in water/sweat as my shirts would be soaking in sweat.

Another thing about dry heat and that is even if it's 100 degrees but if the humidity is low you can sit under a nice shade tree and feel nice and cool. Kinda like an Oasis.

[TigerLily24]

Welcome IceBucket!
New Mexico does call to people - I was drawn here in my mid-teens though it took me almost 35 years to get here. Now that I'm here, I feel like I'm on vacation every day despite working full time. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. And yes, the heat here is different - much more comfortable without the humidity and it cools off at night, unlike the northeast. A difference of 30+ degrees from day to night is not uncommon. You do have to be careful though, the sun is very intense and because of the low humidity, you must keep yourself well-hydrated all the time. Also, because most (all?) of NM is high desert, it does get cold almost everywhere (north and south) in the winter unlike in AZ. We do have four seasons here and the higher elevations can get quite a bit of snow. Doesn't snow much in Las Cruces where I am, but, we did have a couple of very cold nights this past winter. I didn't find them anywhere near as uncomfortable as back in NJ. Last but not least is the WIND, which is really the only thing anyone ever complains about However, I'll take wind with a little (alright sometimes a lot) of sand in it over wind with sleet, rain, hail, snow any and every day

[domino]

The dryness and intensity of the heat takes some getting used to. I was at an outdoor wedding reception east of Albuquerque this weekend. It was attended by family from New Orleans. They were dying from the intensity of the sun, the lack of humidity, and the dust. Their eyes, nasal passages, and skin were giving them fits. If you are coming from a very humid climate there are some adjustments to be made, and skin protection is necessary.
I did remind them that an outdoor reception in June in New Orleans would not even be an option.

[GregW]

In Londonderry, NH it is currently 93 deg and 60% humidity. My wife moved to the library to get some relief. Expect the cool front tomorrow so temps should drop to low 80's. Last night was 69 deg and 100% humidity. Not real comfortable.

[Devin Bent]

I have lived in Georgia, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and NY and my experience is that the dry heat of New Mexico is much more tolerable. The higher altitudes in NM are a little cooler, but in the summer you will probably need to protect against the direct impact of the sun -- there is simply less stuff -- atmosphere, pollution, water vapour -- between you and the sun particularly as you get higher.

So think in terms of hats and sun block in comparison to back east.

[AlisonL]

My husband said the folks he met with in ABQ were complaining about the wind. He said it was just a light breeze and told them they need to come to Maine and experience real wind; esp during a good old Nor'easter in the winter. I guess we will have to judge for ourselves on that.