Seeking advice from year round Tucson residents
Apr 18th, 2014, 11:43 AM
#21
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I don't live in Tucson but in Cave Creek, AZ which is about 30 miles north of Phx/Scottsdale. We have a 2100 square foot house and keep have the a/c on when it is hot, which means it runs continuously from around May 1 to October, give or take. We are on a plan with our utility company where based on last years bills, we pay a monthly amount so every months bill is the same. And it it cheaper to use electricity between 9p-9a, and on weekends. We pay $156 monthly to the utility company.
Our water bill is approximately $80 a month. It used to be about $12 a month till the town of Cave Creek took over the water company and it shot up. We live in the desert so we do not do any watering.
Don't know if this helps you.
Our water bill is approximately $80 a month. It used to be about $12 a month till the town of Cave Creek took over the water company and it shot up. We live in the desert so we do not do any watering.
Don't know if this helps you.
Apr 18th, 2014, 11:44 AM
#22
We also were shocked at the lack of solar panels when we arrived in Tucson. The only thing I can think of is "anti-encironmentalists".
The huge AF base Davis Monthan now has them so change is happening and there are many more being installed, especially in public spaces.
The huge AF base Davis Monthan now has them so change is happening and there are many more being installed, especially in public spaces.
Apr 18th, 2014, 11:49 AM
#23
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I think the cost of solar panels and the length of time it takes for it to "save" you money, rather than anti-environmentalists, could be why there aren't alot of solar panels. At least, years ago I think this was the reason. Not sure if still true.
Apr 18th, 2014, 12:12 PM
#24
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orangettavelcat, since it only takes about ten years for them to pay for themselves here in Ma with far fewer sunny days, I think that is not a very compelling reason, especially as there have been federal tax incentives.
Thanks for the specifics. That is far less than we pay for heat.
Mme Perdu, we like Tucson, its setting beautiful, laid back, we have friends there, interesting Jewish community, good tennis options, reasonable housing costs, low humidity, university
Where are you thinking of? We are open to other ideas.
Thanks for the specifics. That is far less than we pay for heat.
Mme Perdu, we like Tucson, its setting beautiful, laid back, we have friends there, interesting Jewish community, good tennis options, reasonable housing costs, low humidity, university
Where are you thinking of? We are open to other ideas.
Apr 18th, 2014, 12:40 PM
#26
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I have lived in Tucson for over 40 years. Came here from Rhode Island while I was in the Air Force and loved it. Still do.
The comment about you having to stay indoors due to the cold where you are is spot on. Actually even more so. Yes, it will get above 100 for a lot of the days during the Summer (June=hottest month, July & August, hot & humid), to me it is much more manageable than the heat with humidity of New England during the Summer. When we were back in RI, MA, and CT last Summer, the temps were in the 90's and I longed for 105 and 5% humidity of Tucson. The thing to remember in Tucson is to do any outdoor / strenuous activities early in the day and indoor or less strenuous activities / poolside / in the shade things later in the day.
Our house is 2400 square feet, with dual AC systems. Our electric bill during the hottest months comes to around $200. During the Winter, our gas bill (heat/hot water, stove) is maybe $150 max. We live in a desert environment outside Tucson, no grass (not illegal in Tucson, by the way), no pool, but several fruit trees, flower garden and vegetable garden. Water runs from about $35 to $75. Utilities are probably comparable to in New England, where heating in the Winter is very costly. All in all, I am absolutely certain you will be able to spend more time outdoors, in comfort, in Tucson than in New England. And there are always the day trips to Mt. Lemmon (30 dgrees cooler than in Tucson) or weekend / weeklong trips to the White Mountains or Flagstaff, both about 4 hours away and 25 degrees cooler.
The political situation in Arizona drives me nuts! As was pointed out, Tucson / Pima county and Flagstaff are the more liberal bastions in the state. But statewide politics is controlled by Maricopa County (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, etc) and by rural counties. Rural counties, in particular, have more influence because each of them has the same number of state Senators as the urban counties. That is one reason why the Arizona legislature does things that most thinking people would consider "wacko".
As for your unrecognized marriage, Tucson is one of a few Arizona cities that have passed laws allowing "civil unions", and I applaud that fact. It had to be done that way because of state law / constitution issues, but certainly a step in the right direction. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aj-wal...b_3586513.html
Hope all of the responses here are helping.
The comment about you having to stay indoors due to the cold where you are is spot on. Actually even more so. Yes, it will get above 100 for a lot of the days during the Summer (June=hottest month, July & August, hot & humid), to me it is much more manageable than the heat with humidity of New England during the Summer. When we were back in RI, MA, and CT last Summer, the temps were in the 90's and I longed for 105 and 5% humidity of Tucson. The thing to remember in Tucson is to do any outdoor / strenuous activities early in the day and indoor or less strenuous activities / poolside / in the shade things later in the day.
Our house is 2400 square feet, with dual AC systems. Our electric bill during the hottest months comes to around $200. During the Winter, our gas bill (heat/hot water, stove) is maybe $150 max. We live in a desert environment outside Tucson, no grass (not illegal in Tucson, by the way), no pool, but several fruit trees, flower garden and vegetable garden. Water runs from about $35 to $75. Utilities are probably comparable to in New England, where heating in the Winter is very costly. All in all, I am absolutely certain you will be able to spend more time outdoors, in comfort, in Tucson than in New England. And there are always the day trips to Mt. Lemmon (30 dgrees cooler than in Tucson) or weekend / weeklong trips to the White Mountains or Flagstaff, both about 4 hours away and 25 degrees cooler.
The political situation in Arizona drives me nuts! As was pointed out, Tucson / Pima county and Flagstaff are the more liberal bastions in the state. But statewide politics is controlled by Maricopa County (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, etc) and by rural counties. Rural counties, in particular, have more influence because each of them has the same number of state Senators as the urban counties. That is one reason why the Arizona legislature does things that most thinking people would consider "wacko".
As for your unrecognized marriage, Tucson is one of a few Arizona cities that have passed laws allowing "civil unions", and I applaud that fact. It had to be done that way because of state law / constitution issues, but certainly a step in the right direction. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aj-wal...b_3586513.html
Hope all of the responses here are helping.
Apr 18th, 2014, 01:28 PM
#28
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Yes,mike, all the replies are helping, thanks.
Did not know about civil unions in Tucson, will check into that.
Soon enough I think all the anti equal marriage constitutions will be struck down anyway, and even now federal benefits of marriage are available no matter where one lives. This is what has allowed is to even consider Tucson.
For heating this winter we paid almost 4,000 dollars( twice the usual!), so those numbers are not at all bad.
I find NE summers very humid but we live up a bit so better than the valleys.
We were very surprised at how much we loved Tucson in our brief visits. Of course we were renting lovely vacation homes with fabulous views, so that helped.
Next winter we will be there for a month in a much more modest place, so we shall see how it feels but I think we will like it.
Did not know about civil unions in Tucson, will check into that.
Soon enough I think all the anti equal marriage constitutions will be struck down anyway, and even now federal benefits of marriage are available no matter where one lives. This is what has allowed is to even consider Tucson.
For heating this winter we paid almost 4,000 dollars( twice the usual!), so those numbers are not at all bad.
I find NE summers very humid but we live up a bit so better than the valleys.
We were very surprised at how much we loved Tucson in our brief visits. Of course we were renting lovely vacation homes with fabulous views, so that helped.
Next winter we will be there for a month in a much more modest place, so we shall see how it feels but I think we will like it.
Apr 18th, 2014, 04:32 PM
#29
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Hello, Jubilada -
We moved here from my native Seattle 8 years ago. I'm *starting* to adjust. The first few years were very difficult - not only temps but lack of green, trees, and water made me nuts. As several have said, if you can train your mind to reverse the seasons, it will help.
Regarding utility costs: our house is ~2000 square feet, A/C is electric and heat, cooking (and maybe hot water? not sure) is gas. Our summer month electric bills are right around $150. We keep it at about 80-81 during the day and 78 or 79 while we're home. With ceiling fans it's relatively comfortable. Water is $50 or less - xeriscaping and container plants only.
The cost of property for people who are used to coast/big city prices is a pleasant plus.
We moved here from my native Seattle 8 years ago. I'm *starting* to adjust. The first few years were very difficult - not only temps but lack of green, trees, and water made me nuts. As several have said, if you can train your mind to reverse the seasons, it will help.
Regarding utility costs: our house is ~2000 square feet, A/C is electric and heat, cooking (and maybe hot water? not sure) is gas. Our summer month electric bills are right around $150. We keep it at about 80-81 during the day and 78 or 79 while we're home. With ceiling fans it's relatively comfortable. Water is $50 or less - xeriscaping and container plants only.
The cost of property for people who are used to coast/big city prices is a pleasant plus.
Apr 18th, 2014, 05:09 PM
#32
After 25 years in So. Arizona, I moved back to N. California a year ago and am so glad I have. House prices are half what they were at their peak, which is what precipitated the move. The weather is better and I, too, missed the green and woodsy smells, the extreme dryness was often difficult and I felt cut off by the desert - like being on a desert island somehow. I'm not sorry to have lived there but I wouldn't dream of going back. So that's my story and the answer to your question...California.
Apr 18th, 2014, 05:50 PM
#35
I think you're wrong about that. I got quite a bit more per square foot for my house in the boonies in AZ than I paid for the one I bought in a very nice part of the Sierra foothills in CA, where I suspect it's sunny almost as many days as AZ. I'm not talking about the foggy coast. If you're inclined, don't count it out. But if you think you'll like AZ better, I won't argue, it's all so subjective.
