Considering around Sierra Vista...climate questions (Tucson, Yuma: credit, live, cost)

[nonfusion]

By the way I know you're in J6 but the last post here was in 2019 and you seem to follow this forum faithfully so figured you might run across my post. Thanks again

[Fernetty]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

Yeah, it's terrific here. Keep in mind too that THIS summer has been MUCH warmer than usual.

Ken

We are out in Hereford and have few complaints other than the wind. This has been a decent monsoon season so far too. Moved from Texas, so really enjoying the more mild weather. I realize that sounds crazy but Texas just gets the worst of both seasons. 100°+ heat with high humidity made the heat index like 110° in the summer then in the winter we had crazy hail and ice storms all the time. Plus, its cold! We haven't regretted the decision and the outdoor activities are incredible. Need to get an ATV though

[Fernetty]

Originally Posted by ksdog

Anybody live in SV that bikes ? Or grows a vegetable garden ?

I do both and some hiking and camping too. Make sure you have raised beds and you're going to want to cover them with chicken wire to keep the birds out. Otherwise, it's not too shabby

[fly_me]

Why do 99% of the homes in SV we look to buy say refrigeration and not central ac? Is that a swamp cooler? It's over 100 a lot these days and I don't know how they live with this? I had a small room with one big enough just for a bedroom when I was in UK but the swamp cooler made my room smell like dirty socks within one day. It took the room from 95 to 80 is my guess. I prefer 70.
Would this thing called "refrigeration" do the same to a whole home, smell-wise? Will that be the first thing I need to do is get an HVAC (I think is term for central ac)? Thanks!

[fly_me]

Few homes say evaporative or spilt. I have looked all this up but nobody discusses the odor online. I saw a YT video of a man putting in frozen bottle to his large box outside that look like same thing (just bigger) as my bedroom swamp cooler. I had to put ice in it often with the water. I don't know if it smelled terribly due to chemicals in water in that country. One home says Central ac so it makes me think it's different from refrigeration.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by fly_me

Why do 99% of the homes in SV we look to buy say refrigeration and not central ac? Is that a swamp cooler? It's over 100 a lot these days and I don't know how they live with this? I had a small room with one big enough just for a bedroom when I was in UK but the swamp cooler made my room smell like dirty socks within one day. It took the room from 95 to 80 is my guess. I prefer 70.
Would this thing called "refrigeration" do the same to a whole home, smell-wise? Will that be the first thing I need to do is get an HVAC (I think is term for central ac)? Thanks!

Swamp coolers work best in dry climates so don't know why they use one in UK. When I was younger we lived in west Texas with just a swamp cooler which did okay most of the time until it got both hot and humid. Personally I would always opt for an AC unit over swamp cooler. We also lived near the coast of Oregon without AC for years and even in that climate, there were times we wished we had AC.

In general SV has a fantastic climate but I would have to have an air conditioner to live there.

[fly_me]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

Swamp coolers work best in dry climates so don't know why they use one in UK. When I was younger we lived in west Texas with just a swamp cooler which did okay most of the time until it got both hot and humid. Personally I would always opt for an AC unit over swamp cooler. We also lived near the coast of Oregon without AC for years and even in that climate, there were times we wished we had AC.

In general SV has a fantastic climate but I would have to have an air conditioner to live there.

It was a 2 week rental in UK, and in order to get the large deposit back we couldn't damage the window w a window ac, so I went to appliance store and they said you can put this on top of your dresser. It wasn't the norm to my knowledge.

Still confused what refrigeration and evaporative mean. These homes are built in 90s. I realize it has gotten a little warmer last few years.

[Fernetty]

Originally Posted by fly_me

Why do 99% of the homes in SV we look to buy say refrigeration and not central ac? Is that a swamp cooler? It's over 100 a lot these days and I don't know how they live with this? I had a small room with one big enough just for a bedroom when I was in UK but the swamp cooler made my room smell like dirty socks within one day. It took the room from 95 to 80 is my guess. I prefer 70.
Would this thing called "refrigeration" do the same to a whole home, smell-wise? Will that be the first thing I need to do is get an HVAC (I think is term for central ac)? Thanks!

That's odd, the only homes I see hooked to Swamp Coolers are out in the very rural areas or trailers. I'd like to have one to cut down on my power bills though! I had one growing up in SLC and although not the most efficient cooling method, it is by far the most practical and affordable option. Living in AZ is all about practicality. This is an extreme climate and a little musty smell will probably be the least of your concerns on 100° + day.

[Fernetty]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

That's because it isn't "overrun by illegal immigrants". Neither is Benson for that matter. You actually see very few in either place. Are there some? Sure - but not nearly as many as you find further from the border. Folks sneaking across the border leave that area as fast as they can. In outlying areas around the city, you might see them from time to time as they pass through the border area itself, but you don't really see huge quantities of Hispanics in SV in general.

Much of what you hear about SE Arizona and illegal immigrants is BS spouted by folks pushing a political agenda. Some folks like to make it sound as if Cochise County is some kind of illegal immigrant war zone - something that is not even REMOTELY true. SV is VERY SAFE.

Ken

Funny to see this post and its 100% accurate. I do have to share a story though about living down here in SV/Bisbee. On Monday I was driving into Bisbee on HWY 92 in between Hereford and Bisbee, and I saw the regular Border Patrol SUV parked to the south of the road and looking out towards the border. Once I passed him (not even 100 feet), I see a white Suburban with AZ license plates pull up to the north side (Road travels East - West) of the road and four undocumented migrants in full camo ran across the road and jumped in the suburban. They pulled off and drove right past the BP in the opposite direction of myself. Extremely brazen.. they didn't even wait for a pause in traffic, they just came right out of the bushes and ran across the street in front of about five cars. No one stopped or slowed down but me. I decided not to put myself in any danger. Where there is a will, there is a way I guess.

[fly_me]

They say refrigeration or evaporative all over zillow. I am used to ads saying hvac or central ac in my current town.

I don't understand the meanings.

I am asking if that means swamp cooler? Thanks!