food for thought

Just wanted to shed some light on why everyone that says we'll move back is crazy! And here is why I think you should move down here (not Flagcraphole, but Gilbert)

Weather
MN - humidity, snow, sleet, ice, wayyy below freezing temps, dreary days/weeks/months. Snow and ice storms, shoveling, warming up your car, ice scraping. Dirty snow, wet jeans, salt rimmed jeans. Always have to watch the news to catch the next days forecast.
AZ - sun, sun, sun and more sun, few really hot months but overall very pleasant temps. No need for ice scraper, just a sun shade. No need to watch the news for the weather. Sunny and warm 98% of the time.

Dress
MN - hats, scarves, mittens, snow boots with a few months of shorts, flip flops and t shirts
AZ - flip flops YEAR round! fleece coat is the heaviest coat you'd need. shorts, t shirts, tanks and dresses almost year round

Community
MN - hard to find the perfect place to live - young families, newer houses, good schools but not rich people schools, job proximity, etc you have to sacrifice something
AZ - Gilbert is hands down the place to live in AZ. Great schools, newer houses, maintained neighborhoods, good mixture of family ages, close to everything you need. No need to sacrifice.

Houses
MN - higher taxes, more expensive houses.
AZ - lower housing prices = more bang for your buck, plus lower taxes. You could sell your house and move into our neighborhood with money to spare. And then literally be within walking distance.

Outdoor life
MN - limited to the summer months
AZ - only limitations are during the summer months. But then there are always pools and misting systems. Daily walks! I miss daily walks up here in the tundra.

Looking toward the future
MN - three story house, icy steps, shoveling, etc
AZ - one story house, no ice and plenty of vitamin D to keep you going!

Bugs
MN - spiders, centipedes, MOSQUITOES, ticks. Bugs in the house too!
AZ - granted we have way worse bugs in AZ - scorpions, black widows, etc but they aren't in your house. I've killed more spiders in my few months in Flagstaff than I did in Gilbert total.

that's all I've got for now. I'm sure Joe might have a few things to add.