Do snowbirds have an incorrect perception of winter temperatures here? (Phoenix: to live in, moving)

[Jnvlv247]

A lot of Texas' cities can be very unpredictable in terms of weather. On paper it looks not half-bad, but in reality, it's another thing. For example, the Dallas area can get freezing temps and longer cold snaps than Phoenix. Not only that, but they can get snow and ice storms. The same goes for other "warmer" winter cities like Atlanta, Nashville and places in South Carolina

I just prefer Phoenix's stable and predictable winter/spring weather. Our "cold snaps" aren't really much of a change compared to the regular highs. I remember in Jan 2017 where we had more than 3 days of mid 50s and it was quite cloudy. I think that's as worse as it can get. I think even a place that had mid 50s and cloudy weather all winter would still be yuck

[BruSan]

Wife and myself from Ontario, Canada spent winters in the southwest for the years from O4 to 09 and loved it for the availability of a variety of landscapes. We would start in Yuma and spend a month or so there, then decamp and take the Semi tractor with Harley aboard and 5th wheel trailer to the Rio Grande Valley to spend another couple of months wending our way further along from McAllen north/west to end up over in San Diego to then return to Yuma.

We luxuriated in the beautiful warm DRY days and colder nights with sometimes waking up to frozen water lines. The more open spaces lend themselves to motorcycle touring of the very best kind and all of the various little towns in the areas mentioned are chock full of things to do along with people who are not standoffish but open and engaging.

We have now picked central Florida for the last 8/9 winters due to age and ease of traverse to and fro along with allergies (+4 to dust) not bothering me anywhere near as badly as they did in Arizona. Now instead of touring on the M/C we ride a cart and golf on one of the hundreds of golf courses available all over the central Florida area.

No one should be reluctant to snowbird in the Southwest. It's a beautiful area.

[dirtydan57]

This is our 2nd year snowbirding to Tucson. Desert evenings are cooler than we'd prefer, but we don't care for FL - at all. Spend a winter in Wisconsin and you'll know why we think winter in the Sonoran Desert is so wonderful. 45 degrees? No problem!! Plus, it's very beautiful here.

[Pink Jazz]

Just something to wonder about - I wonder how many snowbirds run their air conditioner in the winter. I never had to run the AC in the winter the entire time I lived here even in the warmer than average days; we never turned ours on before March and typically run the heat overnight starting around mid-December (earliest we turned on the heat was late November one year).

[Bates419]

I used to run AC all winter but now run it when inside temp is above 75. 10 years changes things!!!!!

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Just something to wonder about - I wonder how many snowbirds run their air conditioner in the winter. I never had to run the AC in the winter the entire time I lived here even in the warmer than average days; we never turned ours on before March and typically run the heat overnight starting around mid-December (earliest we turned on the heat was late November one year).

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Bates419

I used to run AC all winter but now run it when inside temp is above 75. 10 years changes things!!!!!

Surprisingly, many newer homes here in the Valley might actually be colder inside in the winter due to the use of radiant barriers. While radiant barriers reduce cooling costs in the summer, they can make a house somewhat colder in the winter and slightly increase heating costs.

[dirtydan57]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Just something to wonder about - I wonder how many snowbirds run their air conditioner in the winter. I never had to run the AC in the winter the entire time I lived here even in the warmer than average days; we never turned ours on before March and typically run the heat overnight starting around mid-December (earliest we turned on the heat was late November one year).

We arrived this year on 9/30 and haven't turned on the a/c at all. Last year was warmer and had it on a couple times.

[Bates419]

Heading down tomorrow, packed only shorts, Speedos, and tank tops. Should be all good hey??

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Bates419

Heading down tomorrow, packed only shorts, Speedos, and tank tops. Should be all good hey??

Well, on Sunday the high will be 60 degrees and the low will be 39 degrees. I typically need to wear a hoodie at those temperatures.

[Bates419]

Positively tropical, that's a 60 degree jump in temperature jump, Can't wait to hit the pool!!!!!
Heater be damned.

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Well, on Sunday the high will be 60 degrees and the low will be 39 degrees. I typically need to wear a hoodie at those temperatures.