Arizona is a hot moving destination: The fifth most popular in the country. With the huge influx of people moving to the Grand Canyon State, it can be tempting to choose a moving date during a time when things start to slow down: the summer.
Even though you may save a few bucks here and there due to the lower demand, a summer move comes with some risks, and, in the end, the juice may not be worth the squeeze. On the other hand, making a move during the colder months, December through May, comes with tons of cool benefits, and not just because of the lower temps. Here are some of the best reasons to make your Arizona move when the temperatures drop.
Avoid the Heat
Hauling stacks of boxes, couches, beds, and furniture is a task in itself. Doing so when the temperature is over 100 can be torture. In Arizona, the hottest time of the year is the summer, specifically the end of June, when the average high is 110.5 degrees. Not only does this make a move uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous to your health. If you have no choice but to move in the summer, be sure to look out for signs of:
- Dehydration
- Heatstroke
- Sunburn
- Heat exhaustion
Even though the months of December through March are known for cool, comfortable temps, even April and May are cooler—at least 13 degrees cooler than in June. This could make the difference between an easy move and one punctuated by heat-related health issues.
The heat can also do a number on your vehicle. When your car or moving van is running back and forth between your old and new home, the cooling system is tested to the max. Any weaknesses are likely going to be exposed and this could result in an unpleasant breakdown in the middle of the intense heat. Getting stuck in a stranded, steaming vehicle wouldn’t exactly help make for a smooth move. You can avoid the anguish by doing it in the spring.
Avoid Monsoons
Monsoons can roll in quickly and can wreak havoc on virtually any Arizona neighborhood. Because of their intense rain, they can put a damper on your move and make the roads impassable. It’s not uncommon for a flash flood to turn a quiet street into a mini river or a dip in the road into a small pond. Whether it’s hydroplaning or water getting sucked into the intake and flooding your engine, your vehicle—and safety—can be severely affected by the floods that come with monsoons.
Of course, a monsoon can happen nearly any time of the year, but every local knows that monsoon season goes from June through September. If you have no choice but to move during the summer, keep in mind the dangers of flash floods. Also be careful around areas that have rocks or boulders that could be dislodged and roll down to the road. If you are caught in a monsoon, pull to the side of the road and wait for it to dissipate. Be careful to not park in an area where water can collect and pool to the point of endangering your vehicle or those inside.
Avoid Dust Storms
Arizona dust storms are things of internet legend. Even though resilient residents have found ways of weathering these impressive spectacles, making a move during a dust storm involves unnecessary risks. The biggest danger is the lack of visibility. Because a dust storm comes in so quickly, a gust of dust can puff in front of your car, reducing visibility to zero in a matter of seconds. Zero visibility and a large moving van are a bad combination.
Dust storms are also bad for the filters and engine of your vehicle, particularly if you’re driving. The air intake system can suck the dust into the filter, clogging it, which could result in your vehicle getting insufficient air to run properly. Even worse, the filtration system could malfunction and you could get lumps of congealed dust in your engine. It’s best to steer clear of dust storms, which tend to coincide with monsoon season.
Combine Spring Cleaning with the Moving Purge
Maybe, like most folks, you’re crazy-busy and just don’t have the time to do a thorough spring cleaning. If you move in the spring, you get the chance to combine spring cleaning with the ever-so-therapeutic moving purge. Instead of finding places to store or restore old items, go ahead and chuck ’em. It’s okay; you’re moving. There may not be enough room for that old desk in your new pad.
Economizing your time while moving is a handy way to add some efficiency to what can be an arduous process. Instead of sweating through the spring cleaning, put your unwanted stuff out on the front lawn, so your neighbors can do some “spring gleaning.” Charge a few bucks for each item, and you may have enough to pay for a moving van for a day or two.
Learn About the School System
One of the most crucial factors of a successful move is fluid integration into the school system of your new neighborhood. Maybe school wasn’t your favorite thing when you were younger, but you may have to push through the PTSD and spend time with some teachers and administrators to make sure your kids have the best experience possible. The months of December through May are an ideal time to introduce yourself to school staff, as well as those down in the municipality’s education offices. Here are a few reasons why:
- Teachers are generally a bit more relaxed. Early in the year, as school starts, there is a pile of new and old obligations teachers have to conquer, and meeting with you may not be number one on their list.
- Teachers and administrators are much more likely to “keep it real.” As the school year launches, everyone is putting their best foot forward—whether they’re being genuine or not—so what you see is not necessarily what you get. As the months go by, teachers and administrators are more likely to give you the real scoop on how things go down. This makes it a great time to investigate the school system.
- You can see what matters: results. The beginning of the school year is clouded with impressive claims and goals. However, after a term or two has gone by, you get to see whether or not September’s objectives have been met, and you can talk about why or why not. Most teachers enjoy showing you before and after examples of student work. Don’t be afraid to ask about the challenges they’ve encountered during the year, as well, so you can get a full picture of what your child’s experience will be like.
Give the Kids a Chance to Make New Friends
Some families make the mistake of treating their kids like another set of boxes during a move. When it’s time to go, they toss ’em into the truck and pull off, but your kids are going to need to adjust to the new area, school system, and social structure. Getting them into the neighborhood early can help them start forming bonds with the other kids. That way, when they start the school year in the fall, they already have a crew that can help show them the ropes. Otherwise, they may be forced to be that super-awkward kid sitting alone at the lunch table while everyone
else is sharing cool summer stories.
Even outside of the school setting, kids feel more comfortable when they’re able to acclimate to a new neighborhood, especially before summer hits and kids head to parks and pool parties. Giving your kids a chance to start building their social network will get them off to a more comfortable start.
Settle in Before the Start of School
Nothing is quite as jarring as a transition to a new school system at the start of the school year. In addition to the anxiety every kid feels as they are buried under mountains of new work and expectations, making friends and getting to know teachers and other school staff can pile stress on top of stress. A move in the spring means your kids can get an early jump on getting familiar with everyone and everything connected to their school experience: kids, teachers, staff, and academic expectations.
Even though waiting until the summer may make for a more seamless goodbye to their friends and teachers, a better transition will pay big dividends come report card time.
Keep Your Move Cool With Homie
Arizona is a beautiful place that deserves its spot high in the rankings of moving destinations. On top of that, Arizona is filled with budding neighborhoods that inspire current residents to make a move and explore more of what the state has to offer. Properly timing your move will help reduce the inconvenience of moving for both you and your whole family. The cooler months are the best time to move into your new home: Look at homes with Homie now.