Please Explain "Monsoon Season" (Phoenix, Chandler: high crime, houses, job transfer) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

BobKovacs · 10-11-2006, 10:33 AM

OK, I've heard/read about the "monsoon season" that Phoenix apparently experiences every year, and I'm trying to get a handle on exactly what y'all classify as a "monsoon".

From what I can find on the internet, Phoenix only gets around 8-10 inches of rain a year, and it seems to be fairly evenly distributed across the 12 months- no major spikes in any one season. I know that's about twice what Vegas gets, and I remember some pretty heavy downpours/flooding when I lived there from 94-99, but nothing I'd think of really calling a "monsoon" and definitely not a "season" of them.

So, what's the skinny? Are we talking about days and days of steady rain, or a 30-minute downpour every few weeks, or what? I know here in NJ, we can easily get the entire yearly rainfall for Phoenix in a single month (October 2005 set a racord at close to 14" of rain...), so I'm just trying to comprehend what this season consists of, how long it lasts, and when it occurs.

Thanks,

Bob

Nea1 · 10-11-2006, 10:42 AM

We are talking about big thunderstorms that dump a bunch of water , and a little humidity, that is what i have experienced so far.

BobKovacs · 10-11-2006, 10:50 AM

And how often do these happen? Do they last very long? How long does the humidity linger?

I'm just trying to understand a little better.

Bob

Nea1 · 10-11-2006, 10:56 AM

Well I have only been here a little while, but they dont happen everyday, they only last until the storm passes, it isnt a all day thing here. the humidity isnt really that noticeable if you have ever lived any where with real humidity, and it goes from June to Mid august I was told, it isnt bad, kinda fun actually, you get some great storms but can flood some times. where are you from?

BobKovacs · 10-11-2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nea1

where are you from?

I grew up in NJ, spent 94-99 in Las Vegas, and have been back in NJ since. Given that, I understand having a lack of humidity, and having too much humidity equally well...lol. As I said, rain that goes on virtually continuously for 3-4 days isn't unheard of here, so I was trying to see if that is similar to what's being talked about with these "monsoons". I guess when you live in the desert, getting heavy rain a few times in a month can easily be considered a monsoon....lol.

Bob

Nea1 · 10-11-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

I grew up in NJ, spent 94-99 in Las Vegas, and have been back in NJ since. Given that, I understand having a lack of humidity, and having too much humidity equally well...lol. As I said, rain that goes on virtually continuously for 3-4 days isn't unheard of here, so I was trying to see if that is similar to what's being talked about with these "monsoons". I guess when you live in the desert, getting heavy rain a few times in a month can easily be considered a monsoon....lol.

Bob

The humidity here is nothing I lived in NC before this that was humidity!!! I always thought monsoons were downpours for days at a time, here it is for minutes at a time!LOL

BobKovacs · 10-11-2006, 11:23 AM

So are you a recent transplant to Phoenix? How do you like it so far?

My wife and I are considering moving out there- we loved the climate and the scenery when we lived in Vegas, but from what I've heard regarding the changes there since we left in 1999, it's probably not a good choice now that we have kids.

We had actually considered NC as well, but I thought "if I can't stand the humidity in NJ, why would I possibly want to move to NC???" The only upside would have been lower taxes and a bigger house- not enough to entice me....lol.

Nea1 · 10-11-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobKovacs

So are you a recent transplant to Phoenix? How do you like it so far?

My wife and I are considering moving out there- we loved the climate and the scenery when we lived in Vegas, but from what I've heard regarding the changes there since we left in 1999, it's probably not a good choice now that we have kids.

We had actually considered NC as well, but I thought "if I can't stand the humidity in NJ, why would I possibly want to move to NC???" The only upside would have been lower taxes and a bigger house- not enough to entice me....lol.

Actually we love it and so does my kids, we are moving to Chandler from Msa, they have great schools, we love the fact we can go to the Grand canyon and are only 6 hours from Sand Diego and Disneyland, my kids love the sunshine, we are having great weather right now. it is growing but honestly it isnt all bad I have seen worse. NC has high taxes probably not like you are used to but high enough and housing costs are rising unless you dont mind living in a so so neighborhood and I hated the humidity and bugs!!!. Your kids would do fine here, if you choose wisely where you live, like Chandler or Gilbert.

BobKovacs · 10-11-2006, 11:50 AM

We almost moved to Phoenix in 2004 for a job transfer (which fell through), and we were looking at living in Ahwatukee (I know I misspelled that...lol) since the company in Tempe around 10 miles away. We've been looking there and in the Chandler/Gilbert area again, as I understand the Kyrene school district is still rated the best in the area.

We're definitely leaning toward Phoenix over Vegas. My mother-in-law lives in Vegas, so it'd be fairly convenient for the wife and kids to go visit, but not "convenient enough" for her to stop by unannounced....lol.

I won't rant about the housing in taxes here in NJ, but lets just say that my 3BR 1BA, 1,000 SF 1950's house will sell for around $340k with over $5k in property taxes (and that's cheap here). I'm seeing some really nice homes in the SE area of Phoenix metro for around $250k, many with pools. You can't get that here...

Bob

Nea1 · 10-11-2006, 12:01 PM

Yea my kids will be atending the Kyrene schools, I have talked to alot of people in the neighborhood and they all love it, all I everhear about vegas is high crime, dont move there we had considered that place as well. I dontknow what field you arein but there are ALOT of jobs here, we moved here with one in place but my husband found a better one right after we moved here, he is a Project Manager in construction. Yea houses here are easy to find now, especially since the prices are dropping, you could get a really good deal, people are willing to negotiate. How old are your kids? mine are 18 and going to collins college in tempe, 13 12 and nine, and I am 36 my husband has been here for 3 months ,me and the kids have only been here a few weeks.