If Glenna had put a comma after "sorry"--(sorry, neighbors), we would have known sure that she was addressing her neighbors and not identifying them as "sorry." Ah, the power of punctuation!

Where is Sequim and what is OP?

Sequim (pronounced "Skwim") is on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula (OP) in western Washington. Reportedly the sunniest town in western Washington, and only about 16 inches of rain a year.

We were there just yesterday--checked out lots of lavender farms (during the annual Lavender Festival), then drove 35 miles west to Hurricane Ridge for some beautiful Olympic Mountains scenery.

GOLFER'S WIFE:

Great suggestion for you - go to realtor.com and search on Phoenix, AZ. (You should also choose to "search surrounding cities" such as Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, etc.) When you get to "search criteria", go down to "lot features" and you can just search for houses that are over a certain acerage, and on golf course lots, and within a certain price range.

Hi, Live in Phoenix, love it. The heat is not really the problem most people seem to think it is, after all if it's hot you get in the pool, or stay in the house or get in your air conditioned car and go to the air conditioned store. I have yet had a summer where I thought the heat was unbearable and I've lived here 15 years. I've noticed that no one has mentioned Anthem. Anthem is a planned community just north of Phoenix, about 15 miles. It is planned around a huge golf course and has it's own water park and other amenities. Homes range from the $150,000's to the millions and all are quite lovely. As for your yard??? I have seen Desert Landscaping that is incredible, I however have a very green front yard with DROUGHT resistant trees. My backyard is 75% pool and the rest is drought resistant plants such as Yucca, Palm trees, lantana (butterfly bushes) and many other great plants. You can grow things here with a minimum of water. Good luck in your retirement!

I lived in Phoenix for four years. In the summer it is very hot. Forget about dry heat. 114 degrees is hot, hot, hot, dry or not. Don't forget all the people there. I understand it has gotten worse. There are crowds and people everywhere.
There is a saying in Phoenix: Why would anyone leave all their friends and family to move around a bunch of old people? Because they don't have any friends, and they hate their family!!
If I were you, I would rethink my move.

The only places that even come close to your requirement of not being hot in the summer are Prescott, Payson, and Sierra Vista. They are all 5000 ft or so in elevation and so can get some cold weather in winter (but it doesn't last long).

I came from the midwest and moved to Phoenix in 1997. There really isn't a perfect temperature retirement place. Lots of people escape to the mountains or up north for the summer, but those are the very areas that get the huge wildfires.

You need to rethink your idea of retirement communities. Yes, the Sun City people tend to be older and what you typically are thinking about. But the active adult communities (including Sun City Grand) are terrific. Residents are 55+, very active and are making me almost wish the years would pass by so I could move to one. The people rollerblade, bike, golf, swim, exercise and generally could put most people 1/2 their age to shame. Only one person has to be over 55. And, there are lots of people there that are under 55. The only thing you won't find are children living there. And, in some areas you are able to even drive your golf cart on all of the streets!

I was so afraid when I moved here that I would miss grass, but I have a view lot and it overlooks a green area. So, I can see green when I want. If I want to see the fall colors I can make a short drive up to Sedona, Prescott or Flagstaff. If I want snow, I've got mountains.

Yes, it's hot, but what part of the country isn't hot in the summer. We may have 110 temperatures, but when New York has temps in the high 90s with humidity they are in a much worse situation.

Your life style will change when you get here. You will find that most retirees seem to get up early in the morning and do their thing. They might stay inside during the heat of the midday and then get out in late afternoon. You learn to live around the heat.

Try contacting someplace like Sun City Grand and see about coming for a few days and staying in one of their homes. They rent some out so that you can see the ammenities and lifesytle that they have.