climate (Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler: crime rate, motel, camp)

[luchia5]

Hello,
Just outside of Phoenix, in areas such as Tempe, Mesa, are places I am considering relocating to. I am a senior, and do not like air conditioning. I can generally stand a good bit of heat, but when it is in the 90', esp 95 and up I need the air conditioning. Can anyone tell me about when the temperatures start getting that warm, and for how long? Also, what would be the coolest area in outlying areas of Phoenix? Thanks alot.
luchia5

[vegaspilgrim]

You'll start seeing temperatures in the 90's and possibly in the 100's as early as March. By late April it should be in the 90's or above consistently, all the way until October and possibly even early November, will almost no breaks from the heat in between. Forget 95 degrees-- last summer it was over 110 degrees for every single day for over a month. Then the weird thing is, once it cools down, the temperature drops in swings-- some time in November it will go from the 80s and upper 70s into the low sixties and stay there for about 2 months (the period we're in right now). For some reason, it seems like the weather here always bypasses the low 70s-- which is what I consider to be perfect temperatures.

[wit-nit]

vegaspilgrim hit it pretty much right on the nose. And if you don't like air conditioning, man you're gonna know what hades is like if you're ever destined for that area.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by luchia5

Hello,
Just outside of Phoenix, in areas such as Tempe, Mesa, are places I am considering relocating to. I am a senior, and do not like air conditioning. I can generally stand a good bit of heat, but when it is in the 90', esp 95 and up I need the air conditioning. Can anyone tell me about when the temperatures start getting that warm, and for how long? Also, what would be the coolest area in outlying areas of Phoenix? Thanks alot.
luchia5

Luchia, the temperatures are pretty much the same all around the valley. You said you can stand the heat, so one thing to remember is this is dry heat and 100 degrees in the dry heat is not as bad as 85 degrees in 90% humidity.

You'll need to learn a little about the areas before making a decision on where to move. There are parts of the cities that have a higher crime rate than others.

Sun Lakes to the south of Chandler is a wonderful senior area. It's an age 40 plus community that is close to everything.

[Ponderosa]

We don't keep statistics on the 90s, they are so common. There are roughly 100 days a year over 100 and less than 10 on average over 110 - last year was a record bad one. It doesn't usually hit 100 until early May. Nights cool off 30 degrees still in the farthest flung suburbs but not in town.

If you don't like air conditioning for whatever reason. you won't be happy here. It runs 6 months a year at least.

[sablebaby]

It's not cooler in the cities surrounding Phoenix. It's all the same. The geography doesn't change. You would have to be MUCH further out, more like Payson or Prescott for cooler temps.

[DreamworksSKG]

I'd say probably up toward Camp verde area, a bit outside of phoenix would be cooler? As you start to gain elevation as you climb up toward Flagstaff?

if you take the highway I think its I-17 up north you'll notice the elevation and temp, drop quickly esp certain times of the year.

Believe me I came unprepared in Feb once, didn't realize it'd be in the 40's at night in Flagstaff , Winslow and Williams...and 60's during the day
No jacket = Brrr in the morning at the Wigwam motel Luckily they had a fire.

Stay in the wigwam teepee motel if you are ever in The Winslow area on route 66 you cant miss the teepees

its cool

Ever seen a teepee with a tv?

Now you know how modern day indians live

-Jeff
Winchester, MA

[luchia5]

I'd like to thank all of you who gave input about the need for ac in greater Phoenix area. It was so helpful to me. Now I know I need to go further north if I am to settle in Az.
luchia

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

You'll start seeing temperatures in the 90's and possibly in the 100's as early as March. By late April it should be in the 90's or above consistently, all the way until October and possibly even early November, will almost no breaks from the heat in between. Forget 95 degrees-- last summer it was over 110 degrees for every single day for over a month. Then the weird thing is, once it cools down, the temperature drops in swings-- some time in November it will go from the 80s and upper 70s into the low sixties and stay there for about 2 months (the period we're in right now). For some reason, it seems like the weather here always bypasses the low 70s-- which is what I consider to be perfect temperatures.

You are so right! The weather here is never "perfect" it's either too hot or too cold. I'ts the darndest thing - there really is no "laying in the sun" weather (70's to low 80's) it's either 90 degrees or 50. LOL

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by luchia5

I'd like to thank all of you who gave input about the need for ac in greater Phoenix area. It was so helpful to me. Now I know I need to go further north if I am to settle in Az.
luchia

Arizona is great, but yes, you will need to live NORTH of Phoenix to surivve the hot weather. Arizona is a beautiful state.
Phoenix - not so much.