Starting early planning research for retirement move

[AZ-bound]

Originally Posted by Posh66

Hi there! My husband and I are in our early 50s, and are absolutely going to snowbird (yup, we're Canadian) in AZ just as soon as we possibly can. That may mean as little as four years, if the stars align. We own a condo in Chandler right now, and are snooping around neighbourhoods in Queen Creek, Gilbert, Sunlakes, and anywhere else we can think of. We want a single family home too, so we have all the same questions you have, and are going to do all the same investigations you will! We're cold kindred spirits. :0) I'm very curious to know what you find out as time passes, and of course am also willing to share anything we learn. One fun fact: a lot of the people in Sun Lakes seem to be Old with a capital O...but there are no basketball nets as far as the eye can see haha.

It is nice to have the time to prepare. A lot will depend on the market to sell and the market to buy when the time draws closer. Yesterday was overcast and drizzle, YUCK, today is 81 and humid. To me, 105 in the desert feels like 85 here in the Seattle area.

Look forward to anything you can contribute.

Regarding "old"... I often wonder what our wants will be when we retire. I hope they do not change much from the current ones at 55.

Yeah, I am afraid we are becoming the folks that we used to joke about.

[AZ-bound]

Originally Posted by gamebird98

Don't forget the scorpions....

I have heard many thoughts on that. Is this a real problem? Okay... yeah... I am holding a NOOB sign most likely with this one.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by AZ-bound

Is this a real problem?

Only if you have them

In the heat of summer (i.e., now) I bag 15-30 per night. In the "shoulder seasons" it averages 5-10 per night. And then during "winter" (nov-feb) they are hiding.

Probably the majority of houses have none or pretty close to none. If you are concerned, do your house shopping during the summer and ask to view the house at night. Bring your black light (buy at any hardware store and the big grocery stores) and look for them... inside, outside, under the eaves, on the perimeter wall.

[HollyhockGarden]

AZ-bound -- Hello! Just a couple of comments about your pending Arizona retirement. Hubby and I have lived here over 30 years and there has never been a time when we ran the a/c year-round. Never! It typically gets cooler/colder during the winter months in the Phoenix area. Many homes have a heat-pump, which is good at providing electric heat in non-extreme cold weather. And there will be months when you do not need any a/c or cooling.

One thing to keep in mind, with a long-term plan to move to Phoenix, is to watch the climate change which is occurring in Arizona. We just tied a record this afternoon, 118 degrees!! As the city grows, the amount of pavement increases, and the heat retained in the pavement causes the air temp not to decrease as much overnight, and then the next day's temp start to rise from a higher base. Larger than necessary parking lots, and a trend of many more 3-car garage driveways contribute to the additional pavement.

The other things that will bear watching are water conditions, and the political climate.

Have fun planning your move!

[AZ-bound]

Originally Posted by HollyhockGarden

AZ-bound -- Hello! Just a couple of comments about your pending Arizona retirement. Hubby and I have lived here over 30 years and there has never been a time when we ran the a/c year-round. Never! It typically gets cooler/colder during the winter months in the Phoenix area. Many homes have a heat-pump, which is good at providing electric heat in non-extreme cold weather. And there will be months when you do not need any a/c or cooling.

One thing to keep in mind, with a long-term plan to move to Phoenix, is to watch the climate change which is occurring in Arizona. We just tied a record this afternoon, 118 degrees!! As the city grows, the amount of pavement increases, and the heat retained in the pavement causes the air temp not to decrease as much overnight, and then the next day's temp start to rise from a higher base. Larger than necessary parking lots, and a trend of many more 3-car garage driveways contribute to the additional pavement.

The other things that will bear watching are water conditions, and the political climate.

Have fun planning your move!

Thanks for the input. We continue to get feedback here and are "ready" to move tomorrow.... I think we say that everyday come to think of it.