Weather, pool, restaurants...various questions! (Phoenix, Glendale: live, shop, garden)

[sweetmebri23]

Hi all,

We moved to Surprise a few months back and I am loving it! I have started to find my way around a little better, so that is a good thing! many thanks to all that gave me directions when I first got here! I am loving the weather now, but I know that will soon change! I am from New Orleans so I am used to the heat, even though it isn't "the dry heat"...LOL!

I keep checking my pool temperature everyday hoping that it will start warming up since it has started warming up outside! I am too poor to have a heated pool, so I have to wait for nature to warm it up for me! So far the water is still cold as ice! When do you think it will be warm enough to swim in?

Another thing I wanted to ask, during Summer, does the temperature cool down a good bit at night? Today for example, it was really warm, but by night fall it was really cool again. Will that continue, or is that too good to be true?

One more thing, some of my family is coming for a visit soon. They really don't like museums or hiking, so any other suggestions as to some nice places we could visit? I don't mind if we have to drive an hour or two! I would also like to know if there are any nice restaurants that have vegetarian and regular selections in this area. I know about all the chain restaurants like Applebees, Olive Garden etc., I wanted to bring them some place different.

Thanks So Much!

Bri

[Cj81]

Well, the good news, (in my opinion) if your used to those muggy, humid days in New Orleans then the dry Phoenix heat will be a nice change. We get a rainy season starting July when some days can get pretty muggy here, but you should be used to that. As for your pool, can't help you there, I have no pool and never have had a pool. sorry.

About the summer nights, well this is the bad news. Once July rolls around it is likely that the overnight lows are in the upper 80's to lower 90's. So yes it cools down from 110 but its still very warm. I find the warm nights to be really nice though, unless its humid, then I stay inside. The good news is you can swim 24/7 in your pool over the summer

What does your family like to do? There really is a lot to do here, you just have to look for it. Look at azcentral.com , I think they have a listing of things to do in Phoenix, and if your up for the drive head up to the Grand Canyon for the day. As for restaurants, hmmm, depends on what you want, there are small "one of a kind" places in downtown Phoenix , Old Town Scottsday and Tempe. Maybe tell us what kind of food , then we could point you in a better direction. I don't want to list 100 places right now.

[aj661]

Originally Posted by sweetmebri23

Hi all,


I keep checking my pool temperature everyday hoping that it will start warming up since it has started warming up outside! I am too poor to have a heated pool, so I have to wait for nature to warm it up for me! So far the water is still cold as ice! When do you think it will be warm enough to swim in?

Thanks So Much!

Bri

I'm a minority here, in that personally, I don't believe there is such a thing as TOO hot! I like 115 degree+ days and don't mind working outside in the middle of summer. It keeps my coffee hot when I go outside.

That brings me to your pool question. More bad news . I have a hard time getting in the pool until the water hits at least -brrrr!- 80 degrees. I prefer 86 to 90 (hey, if it's below body temp, it feels cool). So, for me, it's the middle of May to early June. I have a pool cover, but I've found it doesn't help much in warming the pool up at the beginning of the season. I use it at the end to hold the heat in and get 2 to 3 extra weeks use every year. Depending on your tolerance to cold water, you might be able to use the pool in April. My pool is only 60 degrees right now so I still have a long wait. The only thing I enjoy about our monsoon season (I don't like humidity) is that the high over night temps keep the water warm.

[exit2lef]

As for restaurants, you're not going to find much that isn't a chain in Surprise. There's always a lag in newly developed areas before independent restaurants become established. The chains simply have the resources to come in more quickly and often appeal to the new residents as a touch of familiarity.

In the NW Valley, Bell Road will give you limited variety with some independents sprinkled in the various strip malls between the major chains. There are two Indian restaurants along Bell, along with several Italian ones. Both cuisines offer numerous vegetarian options.

Some that I've tried:

Indian Maharaja Palace, 5775 W Bell Rd # 5, Glendale
Cucina Tagliani, 8349 W Bell Rd, Peoria
La Vigna Ristorante, 3539 W Bell Rd # 7, Phoenix

For even more interesting dining options, you'll probably want to head deeper into the heart of Phoenix or else over to Scottsdale and Tempe.

[Boatdrinks]

Re: the pool - it depends on your tolerance for cold water. We were swimming in our pool in early May last year and we swam until mid-October, which is great. It does cool down a smidge at night in the middle of summer, but not much. It's definitely still warm enough to swim at night and not be cold when you get out. I actually think it's comfortable at night in the summer, for the most part.

I'd suggest a day trip to Sedona, which is gorgeous, lots of good restaurants and shopping. If there will be kids, there's the Wildlife Zoo, or regular zoo (if it's not too hot).

Have fun! And welcome to AZ!

[sweetmebri23]

Thanks for the replies! Looks like I have awhile until I can swim!

As far as restaurants, we don't mind going out of Surprise to Scottsdale or Phoenix or any of the other surrounding areas. If you know of any that offer vegetarian as well as other choices, I would love to hear some recommendations! We love Indian and Thai food, but would be willing to try others! I am tired of hearing my husband say "None of this food tastes as good as the good cajun food from home!" (New Orleans)

Thanks Everyone!

[nevercoldcall]

For restaurtants, check out North in Glendale (I forget which street) and Bloom at Westgate city center - not sure if it's open yet but that and other excellent restaurants are planned for there including Mastro's Steakhouse.