Moving to Scottsdale from Milwaukee, WI - Getting Nervous, Help! (live in, stats)

[MKE Mike]

Hi All -
I have several friends that live in Scottsdale, they have been talking about how great it is since moving there 2 years ago. I am 35, married, with 4 kids (ages 4, 7, 11, 12) and an IT professional. I have been wanting a change for a long time, the dreary WI weather is literally unbearable any more and we always found ourselves saying "Someday we are going to move somewhere warm". Well life is short, and someday is now. I have checked out DelRay Beach, Fl, Dallas, TX and Scottsdale. Scottsdale reminded me of a clean version of Florida without the water / humidity, and Dallas is far too busy. Recently we took the family to stay there for a full week, and I must say, I fell in love with it and so did my wife and kids.

I loved the weather and understand for a month out of the year it is extremely hot, which I will gladly trade for the 6 months of cold, snow, freezing, slush and -20 temps.

People complain about all the snotty people, I really did not see / run into any, if I did I was too distracted with the scenery.

Another thing people complain about is the heat, it did not seem that bad without the sticky humidity we get in summer.

I am also a youth girls fast pitch coach and all of my kids play ball, I think there will be abundant opportunity in this area.

I guess what I am looking for is some verification. I am getting nervous as time approaches and we start packing. We are moving in July (I know the hottest month), and I want to make sure I am NOT hiding the negative because of my rose colored glasses. My friends assured me, what I experienced on vacation is every day life there. I really think my kids will be happier in the warm weather. I also think the sun has a great deal to do with everyones moods (everyone there seemed so darn happy). Could someone tell me what I am missing? Point out the good / bad? Or is it really "just perfect"?

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by MKE Mike

I loved the weather and understand for a month out of the year it is extremely hot, which I will gladly trade for the 6 months of cold, snow, freezing, slush and -20 temps.

Another thing people complain about is the heat, it did not seem that bad without the sticky humidity we get in summer.

We are moving in July (I know the hottest month), and I want to make sure I am hiding the negative because of my rose colored glasses. My friends assured me, what I experienced on vacation is every day life there.

Congrats on your upcoming move! You're going to be blasted with passionate opinions both for and against the things you mention in your post.

I think your family will have wonderful opportunities here, and I hope you enjoy your move.

I will say, however, it's very hot for a lot longer than a month, though not as extreme as some will tell you. Check out actual weather stats to temper some of your enthusiam, and to counteract the gloom and doom posters who will tell you it's like the surface of Mars for 8 months out of the year. Scottsdale, Arizona (85250) Conditions & Forecast : Weather Underground You can scroll down the page to check out historical weather stats.

As for your friends, I think they got carried away in their enthusiasm to have you move closer. Everyday life is never like what anyone experiences on vacation. That's why people go on vacations!

[Ponderosa]

Figure on July, August and half of September being the miserable heat months because that is when humidity goes up and it stays hot all night. Rest of the year mornings and nights, at least, are nice.

Many posters like you have the same comment that people seem happy here. Could be something to it. The sunshine sure is nicer than grey gloom IMO.

[Nanny Goat]

Arizona is tons better than Florida. You can't compare the two IMO. The "summers" here are very hot, unrelenting heat for about 4 months, but you have your A/C and can get a place with a pool. That helps.