AZ Dreaming

[Ken 11861]

My wife  wants me to pick the brains of the VRCC group about AZ living (BigBF, Retirees & Especially Transplants from the North East or New England)
We have vacationed out west at least half a dozen times & love the warmth and have hit a lot of National parks in AZ, UT, NM, NV, CO, most trips are fly - drive usually for 2 -3 weeks. The cold long winters here in MA is wearing us down.
The  gave me a $180. ticket in Phoenix last summer , by camera- rats. Only doing 78 mph on I10 late at night, no traffic. What is AZ coming to ?

Anyway - Do any of you-all regret moving to AZ - do you miss old friends, family, doctors - (or is it great to get away from them all  )

Thanks

[Westernbiker]

Well Ken, my whole family came from Salem, Boston, New England area except me, I was born and raised right here in Az. After my parents moved out here family came to visit and almost half of them ended up moving here and are still here. I myself love it here but you do have some HOT weather for sure. You can be in the pine trees in an hour and a half. There are lakes close by for boating, althought they do get crowded on summer weekends but GREAT during the week. 4 hours to Mexico beaches or Calif. beaches. The state has lots of elevation changes if you drive just about in any direction. Winter time we do get snow up north for sking, play and some snowmobiles, of course not like the northern states. Northern Az. is very beautiful in the Mogollon Rim country with high elevation trout lakes and streams. I like the ride up north on the Valk, the scenery changes so quickly. You go from Greasewood bushes, Saguaro cacti  and Mesquite trees to the high desert scrub brush in an hour of climbing out of the valley. Half hour later you are in tall pines and Manzanita. We do have our own version of THE DRAGON I think. It is highway 191 north out of Safford Az. up to Alpine Az. Now I have never been on the dragon but 191 north (Formely The Devil's Highway route 666) has 300 some odd twisties and climbes from desert to over 9000 feet at Hannigan Meadow. There is also the Salt River Canyon from Showlow Az. down to Globe Az. it is also a great road with drastic elevation changes and lots of sweepers and curves. I have considered trying out a different state to live in over the years and have visited many BUT......I am still here. Az. is not for everyone for sure, the heat can get pretty bad at 120 degrees, that's why we have A/C. Remember the most important thing about Az. summer..........IT'S A DRY HEAT!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!!!!!

[Big Rig]

Is it true that people settled in AZ because that is where their wagons broke down on the way to California?

om just sayin!!!

[art]

Hello Ken I was born in chelsea Ma. an moved to so.Cal in65 .Lived there until 1996 an moved to Prescott Valley ,Az.  an loved it .The weather there was cold in the winter an great in the summer as the altitude is about 5300' in the mountains.the only thing I didn't like was going down out of the mountains in the summer an getting into the heat.I did love the monsoons in the spring .Az. has some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen an great mountain riding.I move to Oregon in 2005 an found a state that has countryside a lot like Ma.-Az. an Ca combined .The summers are great riding with thousands of miles of deserted mountain roads one lane wide where I can ride for hours without seeing a single car.We have 6 mo. of light rain an 6 mo. of sunshine .East Or is like Az.high desert. West Or is all mountains an deep forest just like the redwood forest of N. Ca. With moss hanging off the trees an lots of rivers an lots an lots of fishing.another good thing no sales tax so you can buy all kinds of valks an valk parts an pay no tax.Art from Ma.-Az.-Or.

[Cruzen]

Do I miss family and friends. Hmmmm  Not if the wind is calm and I use the proper scope. 

I have been here in Scottsdale since 1988.  Actually what many of us transplants have found is that moving to AZ is similar to winning the Lotto.  Around December or January you find you have friends and family you never knew you had.  They have had it with the snow, rain, sleet, high utility bills or whatever and want to warm up. Of course you may want to visit them in July, August or September so keep on friendly terms.

As far as medical.  I have some friends in the medical profession and they say we have resources here that are not as readily available out East.  I’ve not pushed them on these statements but we have numerous exceptional heart facilities and of course Mayo Clinic has two facilities out here.  If you check the yellow pages the Doctor listings are only outnumbered by the listings of lawyers so…….

After 12 years my significant other was starting to miss her kids who were having kids making her a grandmother and she left me and moved back to Illinois.  There were other mitigating issues and it turned out the best for her and me.

During my adult life time I have traveled 42 of the 48 contiguous states.  Ironically the 6 I have never traveled are the New England states.  28 of those states have been by bike.  In my opinion AZ has the most diverse scenery packed into one state.  Besides you can use it as a base to visit some of the other splendid touring states such as Colorado, California and Utah.

We do have several of the most technically challenging roads out here.  Someone mentioned the Devils Highway route 191 which runs up the East side of the state.  On old maps this was called route 666 but it was changed for obvious reasons.  I have ridden it as well as the Dragon and in my opinion, the Devils Highway is much more challenging due to several factors.  One is the elevation change of over 7200 feet.  Second and I must correct his post, if you ride the entire route in Arizona there are over 900 curves and adjustments most of which are in a 35 mile segment.  Additionally since trucks may be entering and leaving the road you just can’t dip down into a curve and power through.  There may be gravel spewed from the trucks at these entrance points.  Lots of sport bike paint applied along the way.  If you do the first time ride from the South to the North.

Many of the people from out East have winter hobbies such as model railroading, model car, boat or model airplane building.  They do this during the inclement winter season.  Well, out here we really do not have an inclement season and many such hobbies take a back seat to more outdoor activities such as golf, motorcycles, bicycles, hiking, swimming, tennis or just people watching.  There are a lot of fun activities competing for your “free time” and financial resources.

Yes it does get HOTTT!  What that means is if you like to take a long walk, in the winter months you will probably do that between 10am and 10pm.  During the Summer you will take such walks between 10 pm and 6am when the sun is down.  Summer months are a great time to head up to the Northern parts of the state while Winter is a great time to explore the southern aspects of the state.  I ride 364 days per year and my lady friend of four years is with me about half the time.

Before making the move, if you can swing it, you may want to rent a furnished place for a complete year before making a commitment to move out here.

[sandy]

After 38+ years here: I can't add much to the bragging about AZ. If you're completely retired (no work) then find a little altitude to avoid the worst of the summer heat. The towns between North Phx and Prescott would be my choice. 2500' - 5500' are ideal for moderate temps. As was said, rent for a while and see most of the towns around Phx. Phx is the 5th largest city in the country. Maricopa county has over 3.5 million people now and we're still growing.

[fstsix]

Very honest response......don't worry about the HEAT  i used to go to Bullhead city every 2 weeks with my V drive boat.. from So Cal, for years and years sure miss it, Ken hate to see ya go..what about doing the 90 days of winter in AZ and come back in late March when all the White Mud is gone, i go to my Daughters in Tampa every winter just for some warmth works out real well, now i know it gets a little warm in AZ been there @ 128* before but remember they don't have humidity like us in New England, so it only feels like a Pizza oven Dry heat LOL!! Flagstaff is awesome may consider myself in the next 10 years. sorry New England is one of the most beautiful places in the country.   

[Michael K (Az.)]

Quote:"We do have several of the most technically challenging roads out here.  Someone mentioned the Devils Highway route 191 which runs up the East side of the state.  On old maps this was called route 666 but it was changed for obvious reasons.  I have ridden it as well as the Dragon and in my opinion, the Devils Highway is much more challenging due to several factors.  One is the elevation change of over 7200 feet.  Second and I must correct his post, if you ride the entire route in Arizona there are over 900 curves and adjustments most of which are in a 35 mile segment.  Additionally since trucks may be entering and leaving the road you just can’t dip down into a curve and power through.  There may be gravel spewed from the trucks at these entrance points.  Lots of sport bike paint applied along the way.  If you do the first time ride from the South to the North." End Quote.

I live in Glendale,Az and have ridden both the Dragon and 191 several times and it's kind of a draw for me. 191 has more technical aspects I think, due to reverse camber loop de loops, gravel spew and some great up and down left and rights all at the same time!
That said, the roads in Tn. always seem to be the nicest in the country. Smooooth! When you get your head in that groove, those left right left rights are just perfect. I enjoy both!!
Oh yeah! Anybody mention it's warmish here in the summer?

[RP#62]

I moved to the east valley in 2006 from Pittsburgh.  Definitely no regrets.  We feel like we went on vacation and didn't come back.
-RP

[Brad]

My parents moved to Payson about 10 years ago from the Dallas area.  They love it, not to hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter.  My father loves the hunting and fishing.  The only problem they have is it's about an hour and a half drive for major medical problems.  My grandfather who was living with them until his passing had to take a helicopter ride to the valley for a medical problem.

[Michael K (Az.)]

I moved to the east valley in 2006 from Pittsburgh.  Definitely no regrets.  We feel like we went on vacation and didn't come back.
-RP

Above is grizzled prospector searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine.

[alph]

as soon as the wife dies i'll be moving to AZ.  until then she's not budging.  (she doens't like me cooking dinner in the winter time. i wonder why?)

[czuch]

.02
Everything here either bites,stings,pricks,sticks,poisons,is hideously ugly,will kill you,freak-out the wife and give you the heebie jeebies.
The sunsets are phenomal as are the sunrises. The mountains are spectacular. In fact my daughter pointed out you can see the mountains. No trees in the way like in Oregon.The observatory is 80 miles away from where I get on the freeway and I can pick out individual buildings. Lots to see and do. Dont leave a wrench in the sun because you'll need a rag to pick it up. Park at the far end of the parking lot because theyres a shred of shade. Dont look up with your mouth open when its monsooning but if its raining one street over andits not raining on you dont sweat it.
I keep an oven thermometer on the dash of all my cars and its not uncommon in the summer for it to point to 160.
You'll never regret moving here. I havent.

[mirion]

Just got back from one of the greatest rides I have ever been on, even it was a borrowed Harley. We were based just out of Vegas which is a few miles from the AZ border staying with a biker friend who was born and raised in the area so he was the perfect guide. He new every bike friendly scenic route complete with watering holes. We put on 600 miles in three totally different days of riding. We were  up in the mountains to a mining town (Oatman) and another palace where there was still snow. We saw 105 degrees down on the vally and an endless view to die for. As you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed the ride but not sure I could live there. Here in Michigan we put our bikes away for the winter but out there they put them away for the summer.

[Jess Tolbirt]

my daughter was born in Phoenix in 79
three days later were out of there ,,,117 degrees.. no thank you,,
moved to St. Johns on the other side of globe just about 40 miles or so from Sho-Low,,,,
now thats the ticket right there,, wish i could go back,,,,

[Michael K (Az.)]

Quote "Here in Michigan we put our bikes away for the winter but out there they put them away for the summer." end quote;

Actually, I don't put my bike away in the summer, either.

[Cruzen]

Quote "Here in Michigan we put our bikes away for the winter but out there they put them away for the summer." end quote;

Actually, I don't put my bike away in the summer, either.

Ditto that!

[Big Tom 10628]

Just slightly warm... I don't put my bike away for the Summer either. I just cover the seat if I leave it in the Sun.....LOL

[JimC]

I could never convince my wife to leave the family (7 grandkids), but I am doing my best to convince her to be a snow bird. I took the bike there this last January and I have to tell you I had a ball. The VRCC folk are great, and the riding is fantastic.

70 degrees riding a mountain road that had maybe 4 or 5 other vehicles on it in a 40 mile stretch was priceless for this Wisconsin boy in January.

Like the others say, rent for a year to make sure you like it. There are hundreds and hundreds of places to rent in the sun city area and they are reasonable if you are renting for the entire year.

Jim 

[asfltdncr]

The Palm Springs area would be a lot better riding and you still get the desert.