According to Money Magazine’s recent Best Places to Live survey, the Phoenix area is home to one of the best small cities in America (Scottsdale) AND one of the best large cities in America (Mesa). Phoenix’s reputation as a prime real estate location began with retirees looking for an alternative to Florida. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year and a distinct lack of hurricanes, Phoenix real estate soon became some of the most in-demand retirement properties in the country. For some, 300 days of sunshine is pure heaven; for others, however, staying calm is a challenge. Well, I’m here to tell you that it is much easier to cool in a hot place than it is to heat in a cold one, especially if that hot place is Phoenix.
The first thing to know about summer in Phoenix is that it IS HOT, with temperatures around 100 degrees, in fact, it is the hottest city in America. The second thing to know is that because the tourist season is in winter, residents get great summer discounts for cool activities like movies, art galleries, live theater, museums, hotels and resorts, and golf! In fact, many Phoenix residents can’t WAIT for summer to come – not only have the winter tourist crowds dwindled, leaving ample space on the city’s wonderful golf courses, but golf deals are coming! are among the lowest in the country! And there’s more, this is just the tip of the ice cube.
Maybe it’s because museums are known to be cool and spacious that there are so many in Phoenix. From the Phoenix Police Museum and the Living History Museum, to the Hoo-hoogam Ki Museum and the Arizona Museum of Dolls and Toys, it seems that Phoenix has a museum for everyone and for every occasion. If the occasion is a hot day, remember, the museums are BIG, with stone floors (cool!) And wonderfully air-conditioned. However, if the museums aren’t enough (did I mention the Arizona Science Museum and the Hall of ‘Flame’ Firefighting Museum?), There’s a way to cool off in the sun.
If you’re looking for a way to appease both sun worshipers and shade seekers, there are, believe it or not, plenty of options in Phoenix. If you’re looking for quiet fun, there’s no better place than one of Phoenix’s beautiful beaches (yes, I did say beaches!); Those looking for fun at LOUD (equally great) will delight in the many water parks Phoenix has to offer. Beaches include Camelback Mountain – Echo Canyon Recreation Area (north of town, in Paradise Valley), Encanto Park (right in Phoenix), Vista del Camino Park (in Scottsdale), and Tempe Town Lake (in Tempe). Phoenix water parks include Castles and Coasters, Big Surf (Tempe), Mesa Golfland Sunsplash, and Waterworld Safari. In addition to all of this, many parks in and around Phoenix have “splash areas” and “splash areas.” These are usually free and do not involve a large day trip; plus the kind of place you can go and cool off.
If you are planning to move to the Phoenix area, there are a couple of important “cooling factors” to consider when looking for a home. The rugs, while cozy and comfortable, are not fresh; look for homes with tile, stone, or wood floors. High ceilings help cool rooms by allowing more space for heat to dissipate. Also, the heat increases, so the higher the ceiling, the more heat will be over your head. Finally, check the windows in the house – Windows can help warm houses, so check which way the windows are facing and remember that the morning sun is cooler than the afternoon sun.
