Heat Stress: Heat vs Humidity (Phoenix, Scottsdale: safe, money, job)

[twiggy]

Originally Posted by londonbarcelona

I know many people who dislike the humidity. In my case, I prefer the humidity. I've got slightly dry skin, and the dry air here is not helping. Also, I do not sweat much, so the humidity to *me* is a g-dsend. But every single person is different and their tolerance levels are different. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

You know London, thats my deal. I have dry skin and hair so here I am always slathering the lotion. I wonder if I would like the humidity because of this. I have never really lived in a humid place. I love it when its humid here, especially if I have a cold. My nose runs so nicely in the humidity, other wise I have to plug in the humidity with a vaporisor. All I ever hear is the bad part of humidity, but moist skin would be a plus!

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by twiggy

You know London, thats my deal. I have dry skin and hair so here I am always slathering the lotion. I wonder if I would like the humidity because of this. I have never really lived in a humid place. I love it when its humid here, especially if I have a cold. My nose runs so nicely in the humidity, other wise I have to plug in the humidity with a vaporisor. All I ever hear is the bad part of humidity, but moist skin would be a plus!

If you ever have the chance, try to take a quick trip somewhere more humid. San Antonio, Texas or Corpus Christie come to mine. Humid, warm, gorgeous and Corpus is ON the beach. Plus, things are not so expensive to vaca in Texas! Like most people have acknowledged here already, it all just depends on what your body requires/can handle. Me, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Scottsdale/Phoenix (okay, so I take issue with the schools...but still I love this area) but the dry and and heat is forcing me to move this summer.

Anyone who is coming into the area who is new - yes, Phoenix is HOT. Damn hot.
It's the sun that will burn you to bits. Stay in the shade or go out at night. It's a challenge with small kids, so taking a long trip up north or somewhere less hot in the summer is optimal.
But if you like the heat, you will be fine. You'll survive the heat, just like you've survived the cold.
It's the same, but different. LOL

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by londonbarcelona

It's the sun that will burn you to bits. Stay in the shade or go out at night. It's a challenge with small kids, so taking a long trip up north or somewhere less hot in the summer is optimal.

Back in the days before a/c or maybe even evap coolers, wealthier men stayed behind in Phoenix while their wives and children went north for the summer. There is a forest service campground in the western Bradshaws, the name of which I forget, that was formerly a camp for these heat refugees.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by twiggy

You know London, thats my deal. I have dry skin and hair so here I am always slathering the lotion. I wonder if I would like the humidity because of this. I have never really lived in a humid place. I love it when its humid here, especially if I have a cold. My nose runs so nicely in the humidity, other wise I have to plug in the humidity with a vaporisor. All I ever hear is the bad part of humidity, but moist skin would be a plus!

Despite my Nordic White coloring; my skin/hair are rather oily so the humidity can be quite unpleasant for me.

That stated: the dry winters can be rough on my hands------Bag Balm is my friend

[EDGENAPLES2002]

Help please ! I lived in Florida for over 40 years...hated the heat/humidity. I have been up in PA for 18 months and loved the cool climate...even the winter, but my job is now taking me to the Phoenix area. I will be traveling for work, around Phoenix mostly...maybe 75%, but also a little in Scottsdale, Tempe, and even a little in Flagstaff. I dread being in a suit and tie in the heat, as I remember sweating to death daily in Florida. I assume I will still sweat like crazy, even in the dry heat ? I don't mind the heat so much on weekends, by the pool or near a nice lake...but the weeks in a suit scare me.
Also, we are looking for an apartment for the first year...2/2 for $1000/month or under....quiet safe area...just my wife and I. Any suggestions ? Should we be in Phoenix ? Scottsdale ? Thanks in advance !

[BurtsBees]

You do have to take the dryness into account with your skin, breathing, etc.

In Michigan, as long as its in the 50s and above, I really dont need to moisturize much, and dont need to at all once it hits 70. In Phoenix, my skin was horribly dried out, itching, etc when it was both 65 and 100. Then when I ran my fitness test for a police dept, I had ALOT of trouble breathing in that air. My lungs were on FIRE, my mouth was cotton dry, tasting blood, couldnt catch my breath for 10 minutes +, had a cough for 3-4 days. That was only a 1.5 mile run! I run 3 miles a few days a week here in Michigan and NEVER EVER experienced that. Needless to say I did pass everything, received a job offer but cant take it. I cant breathe in the air, had issues running 1.5 miles, then how will I run the 9-10 they do in the academy? Simply wont happen. But its life.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by BurtsBees

You do have to take the dryness into account with your skin, breathing, etc.

In Michigan, as long as its in the 50s and above, I really dont need to moisturize much, and dont need to at all once it hits 70. In Phoenix, my skin was horribly dried out, itching, etc when it was both 65 and 100. Then when I ran my fitness test for a police dept, I had ALOT of trouble breathing in that air. My lungs were on FIRE, my mouth was cotton dry, tasting blood, couldnt catch my breath for 10 minutes +, had a cough for 3-4 days. That was only a 1.5 mile run! I run 3 miles a few days a week here in Michigan and NEVER EVER experienced that. Needless to say I did pass everything, received a job offer but cant take it. I cant breathe in the air, had issues running 1.5 miles, then how will I run the 9-10 they do in the academy? Simply wont happen. But its life.

Your experience is unfortunate particularly with your hopes of moving here, but it is not typical. There are runs every weekend from 5K to marathons around here, some that attract people from around the globe. Flagstaff is a very popular high altitude training site. And, on a less competitive level, I see folks running and biking everyday in my neighborhood. I think that most people are pretty much unaffected or acclimate quickly to the low humidity.

[Garson]

Originally Posted by BurtsBees

You do have to take the dryness into account with your skin, breathing, etc.

In Michigan, as long as its in the 50s and above, I really dont need to moisturize much, and dont need to at all once it hits 70. In Phoenix, my skin was horribly dried out, itching, etc when it was both 65 and 100. Then when I ran my fitness test for a police dept, I had ALOT of trouble breathing in that air. My lungs were on FIRE, my mouth was cotton dry, tasting blood, couldn't catch my breath for 10 minutes +, had a cough for 3-4 days. That was only a 1.5 mile run! I run 3 miles a few days a week here in Michigan and NEVER EVER experienced that. Needless to say I did pass everything, received a job offer but cant take it. I cant breathe in the air, had issues running 1.5 miles, then how will I run the 9-10 they do in the academy? Simply wont happen. But its life.

Everyone is different but I would also say this is not typical. I can run much better in dry air than in humid air. But that's just me. I am much more active since living here.
Also another reason for dry skin here is the fact that we have very hard water. Some areas treat it with chlorine which makes it even worse. Putting in a soft water system made a huge difference and I rarely ever feel like I have dry skin now.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

heat refugees.

Heat refugees..... LOL

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by EDGENAPLES2002

Help please ! I lived in Florida for over 40 years...hated the heat/humidity. I have been up in PA for 18 months and loved the cool climate...even the winter, but my job is now taking me to the Phoenix area. I will be traveling for work, around Phoenix mostly...maybe 75%, but also a little in Scottsdale, Tempe, and even a little in Flagstaff. I dread being in a suit and tie in the heat, as I remember sweating to death daily in Florida. I assume I will still sweat like crazy, even in the dry heat ? I don't mind the heat so much on weekends, by the pool or near a nice lake...but the weeks in a suit scare me.
Also, we are looking for an apartment for the first year...2/2 for $1000/month or under....quiet safe area...just my wife and I. Any suggestions ? Should we be in Phoenix ? Scottsdale ? Thanks in advance !

Well it depends on where in Florida you were. If you were in south Florida, the heat is less intense, less sweaty (like you can walk around in jeans here at night without sweating, where in south Florida, it's uncomfortable).
Scottsdale or Northeast phoenix is best for you for your job location. You may even want to look into a condo - the prices are a steal right now. Guaranteed they will go higher in Northeast Phoenix --North of Thunderbird and East of Tatum - around 56th street is ideal (desert ridge area) is ideal right now.

You will be fine INDOORS just like Florida, but a suit in the months of May - October, not fun. But, if you have indoor parking or dont' have far to walk in the sun you will be okay. Best of luck to you!