If you weren't born in the Phoenix area

MoFree

How long did it take you to become acclimated to the weather?  This is my second summer here and I honestly don't know how I'm going to survive the infernal heat.  Yes, everything is air conditioned but I like spending time outside.

I read somewhere that it takes a full three years for your body to get fully accustomed to the heat.  If that's true, then I have another 2 summers to go.

Any survival tips.  TIA.

b15chik

i've been here since i was 3 and i'm definitely not accustomed! it's still just as nasty every summer.

enjoylife

Yeah we just stay indoors or in a pool most of the summer. Sometimes if I miss being outside I wake up super early 5ish and either do a little gardening, go for a walk or hike before the sun gets too high up and begns to roast us. I've lived here my whole life and I swear it gets hotter every year, but I am so intolerant of the cold I couldn't live anywhere else.

NesJas

I've been here all my life and I still do not get used to it. It sucks every summer

cnj050607

We've been here just shy of 2 years (2 years next month) and i freeking LOVE the weather here. I am from New England and it is cold there 7 months a year, rainy 2 months and hot and humid for one month and then just nice the other 2 months haha.... well, i am being a bit dramatic but not a whole lot. So the weather here is amazing. The heat does not bother me at all. I don't sweat which is nice. The only thing I dont like is how dry it is. The moisture has been sucked out of me, but I really just need to loation up and hydrate more then I do.. 

MoFree

Thanks for your responses.  I think that with global warming it doees get hotter and hotter. But once it's above 100, does it really matter if it's 102 or 105?

cnj050607

MoFree:

Thanks for your responses.  I think that with global warming it doees get hotter and hotter. But once it's above 100, does it really matter if it's 102 or 105?

For me, once it goes over 110 that is when it feels the same to me... i can tell the difference between 103 vs 110 haha.... 

Syndelin

cnj050607:

For me, once it goes over 110 that is when it feels the same to me... i can tell the difference between 103 vs 110 haha.... 

Yeah, that's the same for me.  I've only been here about 2 years, and I'm great until it hits about 110+.  At that point I just try not to be outside at all.  

Skittle128

Ugh.  I'm an AZ native (born and raised in Phoenix, but now I live in Tucson), and every year when May rolls around, I just dread the summer months ahead.  I'm used to it, but I still hate it.  lol

Drink LOTS of water.  It's a big one.  More than you think you need, and definitely more than you are used to drinking compared to where you come from (unless you have just always drank a lot of water). 

Look for shade for parking anywhere you can (even if it means you walk further).  You will notice spots in parking lots in the very back will go before front row spots if they are shaded.  And buy one of those sun shade things for in your car (ideally, a reflective one).  It will make a big difference when getting back in your car in the summer.

Sunscreen!!

Do lots of rain dances.  ;-)  Oh, how I hope we get a good monsoon season this year!!

Skittle128

Syndelin:

cnj050607:

For me, once it goes over 110 that is when it feels the same to me... i can tell the difference between 103 vs 110 haha.... 

Yeah, that's the same for me.  I've only been here about 2 years, and I'm great until it hits about 110+.  At that point I just try not to be outside at all.  

It's all hot and nasty, but let me tell you, the year it got to 121, I was missing 110...

NesJas

Skittle128:

Ugh.  I'm an AZ native (born and raised in Phoenix, but now I live in Tucson), and every year when May rolls around, I just dread the summer months ahead.  I'm used to it, but I still hate it.  lol

Drink LOTS of water.  It's a big one.  More than you think you need, and definitely more than you are used to drinking compared to where you come from (unless you have just always drank a lot of water). 

Look for shade for parking anywhere you can (even if it means you walk further).  You will notice spots in parking lots in the very back will go before front row spots if they are shaded.  And buy one of those sun shade things for in your car (ideally, a reflective one).  It will make a big difference when getting back in your car in the summer.

Sunscreen!!

Do lots of rain dances.  ;-)  Oh, how I hope we get a good monsoon season this year!!

Me too!

bhead81

cnj050607:

For me, once it goes over 110 that is when it feels the same to me... i can tell the difference between 103 vs 110 haha.... 

 

I am there with you...once we are into the 100s I really don't notice the difference.  I am a native Arizonan and the summers still get to me.  Basically to cope you do lots of indoor activities with AC or you live at a pool. 

bhead81

Skittle128:

It's all hot and nasty, but let me tell you, the year it got to 121, I was missing 110...

 

I remember those 120+ heat days...they were horrible!!!

CTri17

MoFree:

Thanks for your responses.  I think that with global warming it doees get hotter and hotter. But once it's above 100, does it really matter if it's 102 or 105?

I've been here for 6 years, and it probably took me 3 , but the summers are still just HOT

I'm fine up until 110, after that it is just BLAZING, there is a difference between the 100's you'll notice that some is bearable and some isn't

you'll get there

MrsWeiner

I've lived here on and off since I was six. My last move back was about 10 years ago and I am about as used to it as I'll be. Most people have pools or find one they can use, stay inside where it's air conditioned, and when they do go outdoors they bounce from car ac to the store as quick as possible. Best advice I can give you is to dress in light, cotton clothing, bring a lot of water, and find some shade. It took me about a year and I was okay but I still hate the summers.

LizR321

I am a native and I am definitley not used to it. I don't really think you can get used to it. It is still a shock to your body every summer. However, we have been really lucky this year. May was extraordinarily cool and the avg for this time is about 110, which we have not seen a lot of yet. But knowing I live in a earth-quake, tornado, tsunami and any other natural disaster free zone, gets me through it!

Mrs. Destructo

Skittle128:

Syndelin:

cnj050607:

For me, once it goes over 110 that is when it feels the same to me... i can tell the difference between 103 vs 110 haha.... 

Yeah, that's the same for me.  I've only been here about 2 years, and I'm great until it hits about 110+.  At that point I just try not to be outside at all.  

It's all hot and nasty, but let me tell you, the year it got to 121, I was missing 110...

 

Hahaha, OMG, yes. That year was so hot. I could literally feel myself sinking into the asphalt when I walked across parking lots.

 

I've lived in AZ my whole life and my family has been in AZ since right after the Revolutionary War. I still think the heat is going to fuucking kill me. My tips are to drink tons and tons of water, like 3+ liters/day, wear only natural fibers (cotton, linen), keep the air moving inside your house with fans, ALWAYS park in the shade, and cover your skin with fabric (I'm a huge fan of loose linen pants and loose linen shirts) when you have to be out during the heat - sounds crazy, but the fabric will help keep you cool and it is far better protection for your skin than sunscreen.

SimplyMistaken

I came from Philadelphia.  Today they were 95 degrees and 80 percent humidity.  Summers are a sweaty humidity filled mess.  Also, their winters are BRUTAL.  That basically leaves two seasons where when it is not raining (which is often) you can go outside.  Essentially about 60 outside days IF YOU ARE LUCKY.  THIS, I can handle until the fall.  I do a boot camp workout outside every evening in this weather.  It's hot, yes, but I wear sunscreen and drink water and take satisfaction in the fact that I would NOT be doing this in the middle of the winter (or summer for that matter) in Philadelphia!  Essentially, I look at it like, "it could be a heck of alot worse!!"