Relocating To Arizona

[Cgmorri]

Interested in hearing from any Northwesterner's (OR/WA) that have made the permanent move to Arizona, primarily to enhance their golf opportunities, basically relating to weather. Both being avid golfers, my wife and I have been kicking around this idea for awhile and currently have our house up for sale and started considering AZ as a possibile place to relocate. I am retired, my wife still works, but works remotely, as does her staff. We have taken 5 vacation trips to the Pheonix area over the last few years and really enjoy the area.

 

So just interested to hear from those that have done this, the Pro's/Con's, etc....

[DoubleXL]

Lifelong PacNW guy. Made the move to Phx back in February with my wife and young children. I've golfed more in the last few months here than I did in the last 5 years up in Portland and Seattle. The big plus here is consistency. You can get a routine down and add variety and never get bored. Before, I always had to put the clubs up for a few months each year. I found the bag getting broke out later and later each spring. My ability to golf in Phoenix year-round is the #1 reason I would be hesitant to leave. As a retiree, you'd have no problem meeting some people for a consistent game. There's so many mens league, mini tournaments, money games etc.

The site here is great for info on course conditions or local deals. I saved a lot of money by listening to the savvy golfers that frequent here. Most of them know each other to some degree and I think it helps stoke the fire these guys have for the game. I'll warn you, it can be infectious and drive you mad trying to get as good as them.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I am originally from the SF Bay area been in PHX close to 20 years now. It will take a couple years to truly get used to the summers but I would rather have 3 months of heat than 3 months of not playing.

Great group of regulars from wrx here we set up outings 2-3 times a year.

My only knock is regardless of deals golf in the winter is still way overpriced for the quality of many of the courses.

There are some decent prices phx city card etc but also a ton of courses that are way overpriced cough kierland cough

[DrSchteeve]

I was 25 years in NC - not the northwest - and only 6 weeks in Phoenix (live in Scottsdale)...but... I personally love the heat, and I'm not saying you have to love it but if you are going to be here more than 6 months/year you need to be able to tolerate it, if not like it. The number of golf options is unbelievable, in every category, including poor muni to high end resort, and especially the private course options. Clearly the high end predominates, however, so if you aren't prepared to spend $30-$60 during the summer to $80-$150 winter (public or resort) or $5K to $10K a year private this may not be the place for you (and the prices, especially private, can go much higher).

In NC, golf was 9-10 months a year, but with the high humidity the playability of the courses was always an issue. Always had to look at the weather forecast, always concerned that it would be raining, or would have rained recently, and would that make the courses wet and muddy, which they were often. I know a lot of people may think I'm crazy, that NC isn't the Pacific NorthWest, but it is a muggy climate, winter and summer. In Phoenix, you don't need to look at the weather forecast, and the dry conditions make for fantastic and fun conditions most of the time (again, especially at the courses that can afford to keep the conditions good year round).

[LostinArizona]

I lived in the NW in a city called Sammamish, WA. Played many courses on the east side and I go back every summer and play 3 times a week during my stay. Like most men, I can live almost anywhere. I grew up in the OC on the beach and have lived up and down the west coast including the bay area.

I now live in Scottsdale and do love it here 8 months of the year. 4 months during the summer (this summer just felt brutal cause of the humidity) is dreadful but I play once a week now and you just get through it. If you're out before 9a, it really is no big deal if you stay hydrated. Some carts around here have misters on them and keep you a little cooler (Kierland & Boulders) but it only helps a little.

Golf in off season is as low as $20 (Southern Dunes, Red Mountain CC, ASU Karsten) and in season is as high as $299 (Troon North, WeiKoPa, Boulders South) but all in all it will test your game.

NW golf to me is shorter tracks, tighter fairways, and more traps. AZ golf is a life style here and a vital part of our economy so we are vested in having most courses in tip top shape. Also due to this being a "destination" for golf, I feel you get a better golfer and one that wants to get through a round. I think rounds here are much faster in general. Maybe as much as 30 minutes or more depending on the course.

Private clubs are always an option and many here are giving away free initiations along with a monthly fee (Ancala) which may work within your budget or not. I like to play multiple tracks so I do not buy into a club myself but have neighbors that do. Some clubs are "healthier" than others in terms of members and up keep.

The great thing about AZ golf is you can go 2 hours south and play Tucson tracks, and then you can go 2 hours to Show Low/Flagstaff and find very similar golf conditions to the NW. I like Flagg and Sedona cause its a break from the norm.

I don't know what your political affiliation is but we have much less government intervention and its nice being in a state that's not entirely crazy yet.

You do miss natural water features here and you get tired of the shades of brown, but that's when you just drive over to OC or San Diego 5 hours away and your fill.

Hope this helps...

[DoubleXL]

[quote name='LostinArizona' timestamp='1409715051' post='10054275']
I lived in the NW in a city called Sammamish, WA. Played many courses on the east side and I go back every summer and play 3 times a week during my stay. Like most men, I can live almost anywhere. I grew up in the OC on the beach and have lived up and down the west coast including the bay area.
[/quote]

I lived in Sammamish as well when I lived in the Seattle area. What is your favorite place to play there? The private clubs right around there were really hurting for members (2008-ish) and were always trying to negotiate.