Rose Marie

Solar would be great here, sunshine 99 percent of time.
Pools are in almost every yard, no problem there.
Utilities just depend on the size of your house and the pool.
Two story houses need 2 air conditioners.
I have a 2 story condo and the upstairs is much warmer than downstairs, and it is a problem. I have year round electric bills set up so it is the same amount every month $75.00. But I live alone and am cautious about lights etc.
Average I would say is 200 and up per month.

moonhoney2

There are also swamp coolers. those are cheaper than the air conditioners. My grandmother has one of those along with the ac.

I have no idea how they work tho. :lol:

azdesertrat

I just put in A/C last year and honestly my bills are cheaper than when I had a swamp Cooler and much more comfortable.We had fans going all the time probalby 24/7 with the swamp cooler and were miserable.I am also on a budget plan so that I have the same amount for a monthly bill year round,but still I have a 1700 sq foot house big windows and dogs going in and out several times a day,and I would say it is around 74 degrees in here and I only pay $100.00 a month

susan s.

So it is possible to keep it reasonable. And with some solar you might even make money. It's getting so excess solar power can be ran backwards into the grid and you can have credit for less sunny times in some areas or even receive checks from the power Co.

So does this utility bill include water &/or gas? or electric only?

We have to do something this summer tho or we will be camping this winter. I don't think it would be so bad. He already built the little cottage and we have all the materials we need just about to build a nice size shop in the back of the lot. He spends all his time outside in his canopy workshop anyway.

My biggest reason for wanting to go South is physical. I am so sluggish when the sun doesn't shine, I don't even want to take a shower and get dressed. It's so hard to get motivated. But, when the sun peaks out I'm all about going, going and lets go some more. :lol:

Even tho we house shopped all day yesterday for a modular and are going to get with some finance people next week. I told my husband that I still plan to get to a sunnier climate. It's kinda funny he's the one who doesn't seem to want to hang out at home but getting him to move takes a lot of prodding. :twisted: I just don't want to really settle in until I am in the best location. Then I'll dig in so deep a nuke won't move me :roll:

susan s.

Hey! do any of you do chili cook offs? I used to follow both red and green. I was, I think, the third member when they started the green chili Asso. In LV. But I went to cookoffs in Bullhead City and Lake Havasu while I was in that area.

SaraSewing

Anaheims?

azdesertrat

The way the ultilties work are all seperate companies.I think after a year you can ask to be put on a budget plan for the electric,I think the gas too,but I only have the furnace that runs on gas so the only time I have high bills is maybe 3 months,depends how cold the winter is.the water bill unbelievably is the least expensive(go figure) and the city just started charging about 5 years ago for garbage pick up,I guess it use to be free in city limits.But you are right solar power is the way to go,we have on average 350 days of sunshine every year

susan s.

Great, that is the one utility I would figure to be high! So sounds like the coast of living is not so bad compared to the wages. I'm liking it more and more. But it may take awhile to get down there.

My husband, bless his heart, for some reason I can't figure, just does not want to jump on it. He is so cautious. Funny how life affects a person. I don't think he would have hesitated to jump on it when he was single and conversely, I'm even more willing to get on the road, even tho I did move around I was more cautious when I was single and had a child to support. I figure it's more like looking into my future retirement location. I might become an AZ/MT snow bird. Which would be pretty ideal for us. To have a place up her for summer and a winter residence in sun country. Alot of people do that. I'm in favor of that Idea.

susan s.

Loretta, I believe those are Jalapenos. I usually use a mixture of peppers when I do a batch of green chili. Depending on how much hot your taste buds can handle.

I like Jalapenos, green Bell Pepper and maybe a small amount of hotter Serrano or Habanero. Those are the most common ones found in grocerey stores. I like the home grown red and yellow too, tho I never did care for those bought at the supermarket. They didn't seem to taste the same.

azdesertrat

Yep we have quite a few snow birds that come to tucson,alot of them bring their R.V. and park in one of the many places to park them and stay for the winter.so that is always an option