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I have a friend that lived in Santa Monica for almost 40 years. She loved it, so I don't know why they moved back to our small south texas town. Probably to be close to family in their old age.
Anyway she told me they didn't even have AC and it could be chilly even in the summer. One thing that surprised me was that she said it could be gloomy there even in the summer. She loves our bright sunny days here.
I've always wanted to move to Arizona. I've been out there many times with the military - even stayed for months during the hottest part of the year. I guess it was my young age that helped. I went out there last year in April - OMG - the heat was unbearable. In APRIL!!
But then I wouldn't make it a point to be outdoors either.
I have lots of family out there and they love it.
I can't imagine being without AC in Santa Monica or anywhere else in the greater Los Angeles area. Even for the 4 100 degree type days we had last year. It would be like living without heat in Miami. For the 5-10 nights a year you need it. Kind of primitive.
You ain't seen nothing until you've been to Phoenix in August. We've been there a couple of times that time of year (to visit my brother). It is basically 80+ when you wake up in the morning at the crack of dawn - and it just goes straight up from there. 100-105-110. I've never been there during a hot spell (110+) - but the regular days were bad enough.* The upside of visiting in August is like the Four Seasons Scottsdale costs about $100/night . Another upside is all of Taliesin West is totally open for visitors. The downside is Taliesin West isn't air conditioned. I am pretty good with heat after all these years in Florida - but almost passed out taking the tour (the interior spaces were stifling hot).
My brother and his wife (about a decade younger than we are) are still working. So they are basically spending their days - regardless of season - in air-conditioned spaces.
I think I have talked myself out of Las Vegas in 24 hours . FWIW - it is pretty easy to get a sense of an area these days on line. At least in terms of ruling it out. If you're still interested after a quick on-line tour - for whatever reason - then FTF visits will be in order. Robyn
*Note that Florida in the summer is no bargain either. With highs about 90 or so on the coast where I live. Still - I am one of those people who prefers 90 degrees with humidity than 105 without.
I wouldn't recommend much of inland Southern California, it does get hot if that bothers you.
I saw another post mentioning wildfires in CA, they have never been a consideration for me. They seem rare to me, maybe I'm living in a dream world, right now I live in a heavily wooded area but have no concern about fires. Yes, there are fires but in many different areas, usually remote areas. I am planning to move, but not because of fires, usually the heavily wooded areas are out of the way.
There are wildfires in lots of places. Including the part of Florida where I live. They were terrible during the drought of 1998 here. The whole county to the south of us - Flagler County - was ordered evacuated as a result of the 1998 fires:
I'm becoming "tree phobic". Either they burn up in fires - fall down on houses during storms - etc. - etc.
The simple fact of the matter is that although trees look nice - they require maintenance. And most people who live in heavily wooded areas can't afford the maintenance. Which is why people who live in wooded areas need evacuation plans:
my sister retired in LV and I went to visit her in July to see the place.
I found the traffic to be quite heavy and the homeless population seemed quite high. I had a distinct feeling that most people would think of retiring to LV for the casinos but after the first few weeks simply avoid the place at all costs except when family/friends come to visit.
I dropped my car off at a pepboys to get the oil changed and walked back to my sister's place in the early morning and I could feel that it was already getting uncomfortable for a walk. during the middle part of the day even standing outside for a few minutes feels unbearably hot. The idea of living in a desert with only the water in lake meade to serve my city with 1 or 2 rain events a year seems like a bad bet.
it's also a little disconcerting to see the level of water by the hoover dam is frighteningly low on the high water side. I can't see las vegas or anything west of Colorado being a place I want to be in 20 years.
Flagstaff and sedona seem like nice places and only a few hours east but not sure where they get their water.
my sister spends her afternoons watching TV indoors.
I'm familiar with the weather. Kind of like where I live in the cooler months - except a bit cooler at night. Hotter during the summer days.
But - if you moved there - what do/did you like/not like about it? We would have a fair amount of money - and would rent at first. I am 69 - and my husband is 71. Robyn
We have a grandchild in Las Vegas and actually considered relocating there upon retirement to assist with him. Areas like Providence are nice, suburban areas that have the "conveniences of Vegas without the drama of Vegas proper"... We don't mind the heat (its a dry heat, much more tolerable to us than humidity) and we LOVE the colder evenings the desert provides...good sleeping weather for sure!
The one thing that stopped us dead in our tracks was the water issues. Vegas is going to be in a WORLD OF HURT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE with water issues. You will not be able to GIVE homes away, and that right there put the Kabash on our plans to retire there.
We have been going to Vegas because of family there since the 80's and have NEVER, EVER seen the Lake Mead level as low as it currently is for as long as it has been these past 8 yrs....
First, there are a lot of people in Las Vegas who drink and drive. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department does a very good job of enforcing the law BUT they cannot be everywhere.
Second, there are a lot of pedestrians who are also intoxicated.
Third, there are a good number of "distracted" pedestrians. That is, they are busy on their cell phones or taking in all of the sights in the area.
Fourth, there are a lot of tourists driving which creates a unique hazard. Most of them are unfamiliar with the roads. Many foreign tourists are unfamiliar with the rules of the road and lack the experience of driving in the US.
Las Vegas has done number of things to reduce the number of pedestrian deaths. First, on the Las Vegas Strip, they have eliminated many crosswalks replacing them with pedestrian bridges that allow them to walk over many of the intersections. In the downtown area, they closed off most of the streets around the casino to create the Fremont Street Experience.
Even though there are a lot of sidewalks in LV Metro, I would not consider it a good walking town. Most of my walks in the area have been at Red Rock Canyon.
Robyn, I'm curious as to why you didn't post this in the Las Vegas forum? More than a few retirees posting there...
I will not speak for Robyn, BUT I have found that the Las Vegas is unusually contentious at times with a couple of posters who seem to have a negative attitude. I quit posting on that board as it was not getting me much information.
I lived in SoCal for two years, 99-01, and despite the fact I was in a new-construction condo, did not have AC. I was shocked! I was a mile from the Pacific and it got darn chilly at night, even in summer. There WERE a few nights where I could have used AC, but not many. However, I think the climate is much warmer now. I stayed with a friend a few years ago during a hot spell and had a heck of a time sleeping.
Been in FL full-time for three years and the summers haven't been too horrific....except for this past one. I think the hottest summer on record, and the mosquitoes/no-seeums/whatever just adore me. It was like opening the door into a steam bath, even at 11 PM.
Haven't lived in Vegas but have been there in May and also Palm Springs in July. That heat was like being in a blast furnace. We ate at an outdoor restaurant at night with ceiling fans but it was darn uncomfortable.
So all in all, when it comes to weather, I think I'd prefer SoCal. But close to the coast.
We have had a house in The Lakes area of Las Vegas for around 5 years. We live and work in So Cal right now but plan on retiring there. We have spent a lot of time there over the years mainly the summer. We enjoy the heat. Everything is air conditioned anyway house, car, restaurants stores etc. so who cares? Also dry heat vs humidity. I can't wait to get out of Ca!!! The traffic and overcrowding is unbearable and gets worse every year. Rush hour on the freeways at 2 pm in the afternoon. Never used to be that way.
Most of the negative posts about Las Vegas are true for every city in the U.S. Rush hour traffic is at a normal time around 5 pm on the freeways. The strip is the only place there is always traffic. We never even go to the strip. There is no reason.
Everything is very convenient in the housing areas as far as stores, restaurants etc. I have never seen the traffic bad on surface streets. I like that you can always find things to do 24 hours which may be especially nice when you retire.
I never knew that there was a concern about earthquakes in Las Vegas. As far as insurance we do not even carry it on our house in Ca. The damage would rarely exceed the deductible. A lot depends on where you live and the construction of your house. I know that they have them and there are faults but I still feel safer in Las Vegas than So Cal. They are even having them in Oklahoma.
We live in a very nice clean neighborhood. Our neighbors are all friendly.
As in any city it is important to get familiar with the different areas if you plan on moving here. Some are better than others.
We can't wait to move here. Now that all the kids are out of the house we have more flexibility to make this happen.
If you have any questions feel free to ask me.
Last edited by jet757f; 11-07-2016 at 03:32 AM..
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. Another upside is all of Taliesin West is totally open for visitors. The downside is Taliesin West isn't air conditioned. I am pretty good with heat after all these years in Florida - but almost passed out taking the tour (the interior spaces were stifling hot).
. FWIW - it is pretty easy to get a sense of an area these days on line. At least in terms of ruling it out. If you're still interested after a quick on-line tour - for whatever reason - then FTF visits will be in order. Robyn
