2nd Summer in Phoenix-- How do YOU best deal with the heat? (2015, home)

[BjornT]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

I mean the sun can be aggravating but I actually love Summers here. Water parks and day trips make it a lot of fun. And there are many less people. Water parks in Phoenix, day trips in state. Over nights in either California or Albuquerque. What's not to love? Besides the unending heat.

I also like that bone warming feeling you get when you step outside.

^^^^ This! I've always welcomed the heat as if it were a warm blanket. Some of us get energy from the heat; others languish and become sluggish.

Perhaps it's biological, e.g. warm-blooded vs cold-blooded creatures.

[BjornT]

Originally Posted by Quizillla

I like your optimism!

I'm actually trying to save up money now so I can go on road trips fairly often. If anyone wants to suggest good day-trips/ cheap hotels please do!

I'm thinking San Diego, Flagstaff, Show-low, Maybe Albuquerque (I haven't been there before, actually!) I also really want to visit Seattle and Portland (two cities I'm drawn to, but haven't seen before).

FYI: Albuquerque is often a disappointment. Its name is more quaint than is the town. You may love it, but don't feel bad if you don't. IIRC, High School Musical was set there. Problem is, HSM was portrayed as All American, which ABQ is not.

YMMV.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by BjornT

FYI: Albuquerque is often a disappointment. Its name is more quaint than is the town. You may love it, but don't feel bad if you don't. IIRC, High School Musical was set there. Problem is, HSM was portrayed as All American, which ABQ is not.

YMMV.

I love Albuquerque personally.

Sometimes it's nice to experience non Americana culture.

[BjornT]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

I love Albuquerque personally.

Sometimes it's nice to experience non Americana culture.

Good point. I'm probably just bitter from having had to hire and fire so many New Mexicans, when my business was located in that state.

That said, some of the loveliest people anywhere are often found in the area. So many times, I met people and wished I could have asked them to quit their jobs and work with me.

[Heath V]

If you work outside there is no escape, comfort or relief, simple as that. If you go from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned car to an air conditioned store you'll be fine.

[maverick974]

I thrive in summer. I have a diving pool, a boat and some jet skis. I'm usually in the water someplace.

[wit-nit]

I've lived in the Phoenix area for over 50 years, worked in an outdoor business most of that time. You get used to it. It's good for those aching arthritis bones too.
If you're an indoor person then you set your air conditioner to around 74-76 degrees jump into your air conditioned car and shop in the air conditioned stores. Occasionally you might want a break and go up north for awhile or over to the west coast and swim in the ocean.
Life is good here.

[cactusland]

First few years here are pretty rough. One thing I did was filled the tub full of water in the morning, and by the end of the day the AC had the water pretty darn cold. If you submerge yourself then sit in front of a fan you can really chill yourself off. Or you know, just keep a mister nearby, fans and AC.

[AZ Manager]

We're lucky here where we don't need to run the heat for nearly all of the winter, mine still hasn't been turned on. All that cost to keep my home at a nice 74 in the summer gets offset by not needing to run anything for a solid 4 months or more in the winter. As for escaping the heat there is no escape, a day trip up to Flag costs more than cooling your house will at a full tank round trip at the least and it isn't like you can just switch off the AC while you are gone or it will never cool back down. Embracing the heat is the only real solution as we have beautiful 100+ degree days, my wife hates when I say it but I drive around with the windows down and the AC off in the middle of the summer though I am a native born and raised. Go out and enjoy the summer months responsibly by staying hydrated, with the exception of monsoon season because humidity is the worst.

[gbpakrfan]

We're taking an Alaska cruise in August. Not only will we escape the heat, but we can see the real Frozen Tundra.

Sure, we have to eventually come back to the heat, but to be honest, the heat is one of the reasons we moved here. But escaping for 10 days will be refreshing...plus our air conditioner will appreciate the break.