When I sell my car the ad will read... "Stored summers - only driven in winter."

[Moneyguy1]

I don't know about the 6 months of comfortable and how to measure it. But I have found that the climate here in southern AZ agrees with me. I do my work early in the morning, siesta on the hot afternoons, and jump in the pool at dusk all during June, July and August. By mid September, things have "cooled off" considerably (out of the triple digits) and all the way through May is fine, with a few days below freezing and occasional flakes on the really cold nights when I have to cover the more tender plants. So that makes it nine out of twelve for me.

I lived in the rust belt most of my life. Humid and uncomfortable. I have a daughter that lives in Huntsvillie Alabama. Been there when it has been 95 with 95% humidity. I will take the occasional 105+ with 5% humiduty any day. ANd, we cool out house with something called an evaporative cooler, which reduces interior temp to a comfortable 75, even on low speed. (owners suite is A/C/..the house just came that way!!)

The secret to living out here is to plan things so you can avoid the few hours when it gets really hot. FOlks who have not lived in the snow and rust belt would be in for a rude awakening. You do not have to shovel sunshine. You are not a prisoner in your house during blizzards. You do not have to call in only to find that the office is closed because of blowing and drifting snow. You do not run the risk of frostbite waiting for a bus or waiting for the damn car to warm up. You do not have to have a new exhaust system every three years due to rust, which also attacks the undercarriage of your car and plays hob with fuel lines, cables, calipers and so on. And, you don't need a storm shelter in the back yard (my daughter in Huntsville has one well stocked) to deal with hurricanes and tornadoes. Extensive floods are unheard of except for the occasional wash, and here in AZ we have "stupid driver" laws.

My wife lived in Phoenix for ten years; she is my expert. She says there is little comparison between the weather in Tucson and the Valley of the Sun.

Just my take. I enjoy it for most of the year. No place is perfect.