From the land of no snow

[shai]

Hi everyone,

i come from a place where it nevers snow. I was wondering - even in towns where there's really good public transportation, how normal is it to use it on Dec-Mar when it's freezing outside ? Wouldn't a car be a good idea in these places?

Thanks,

shai

[purplepepper]

Just a word of warning, driving in snow is actually very difficult and it takes quite a bit of practice to become proficient. When I first got my driver's license I remember having to intentionally make the car spin around and I had to practice how to get the car out of a spin.

Most cities with a lot of snow, though, have efficient systems for clearing the roads.

You'll be fine on public transportation as bus drivers have a lot of driving experience in those conditions. If there is a blizzard and too much snow and ice, the public transportation may be shut down, and if that happens, no one in their right mind would want to drive anyway. The city would probably have it all cleared up in no time though.

[shai]

Thank, but I intended my question to be - is it feasible to walk around in the freezing cold ?

[aginath]

Unless you're attending the University of the Antarctic, I'm pretty sure you're safe.

[kahlan_amnell]

Yes, it is possible to take public transit when it is cold and snowing and it is fine to walk around. Just make sure you have warm enough clothes. Dressing in layers is a good idea so you can adjust to changing temperatures. Buy warm clothes before you think you'll need them, people from warm climates often don't expect it to start getting cold as early as it does. Ask people who have lived there for a while how cold it gets, or check a weather website for average temperatures.

If it is too snowy for public transit to run, you wouldn't want to be driving, and your school will very likely be closed anyway.

[jortin10]

I am in the same boat as well. I am born and raised in Fl and is considering schools in the Northeast for my doctoral degree and I am scaried of having to go to class in the cold or when it is snowing let alone having to drive. To make matters, worse I am bringing my 2 sons with me and I would not have an idea of where to get warm clothes. All the clothes in Miami are THIN even majority of are jeans.

[kahlan_amnell]

I would not have an idea of where to get warm clothes.

You can get a lot of warm clothes online.

I'd reccomend Land's End or LL Bean.

Land's End makes good winter coats for kids and adults, here is the link to their outwear section: http://www.landsend.com/ix/outerwear/in ... &cm_re=D-2 . They also have general cold weather clothes, like turtlenecks and sweaters.

LL Bean is good for boots and flannel or fleece lined pants, and they also have good long sleeved shirts. They do also have good winter coats.

If you don't like shopping online, go to a department store in the area you move to in the late summer/early fall and you'll find lots of cold weather clothes.

[psycholinguist]

I did almost the same thing; I moved from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast for my undergrad degree.

Walking around in cold weather isn't uncomfortable if you dress properly. I agree that layers are good: thermal underwear (clingy polyester that keeps you warm), one or two pairs of pants (yoga-pants and some pyjama bottoms can be a good middle layer), a couple of shirts, a cardigan, and a nice warm jacket will be fine, complemented by gloves, scarves, and hats. Don't just buy boots at Target, because they'll wear out quickly and not necessarily be warm; be prepared to spend at least $100 on a good pair, especially if you're going to be walking a lot.

I agree about the department-store thing; go to a Sears or something and look through everything available.

The other thing is that buildings are really well-heated. I was actually MORE comfortable more regularly in the Northeast because it's cosy indoors, whereas in the Northwest it doesn't get that cold, but buildings aren't as well-insulated, so I would often get cold out there when inside.

Good luck!

[kent shakespeare]

as a lifelong northeasterner of 41 years, there have literally been roughly a dozen days per decade where it has been too cold to walk around, and I do lot of walking. Granted, my threshold for cold is greater than many.... but it can be done. At my current and previous U, there have been lots of international students from the tropics (Vietnam, southern India, etc) who were shivering in their first autumn here but by their second winter totally loved the cold.

I ditto the many comments about dressing in layers. Shoes/boots should have some grip to them, too. Warm hats and gloves are also a must.

Do NOT drive until you are used to the snow. And make sure you have all the necessities, once you do: snow tires, scrapers, a shovel, a bag of salt/cat litter (for when you're stuck and your wheels are spinning on ice), and maybe even chains (if you live near mountains, or near the Great Lakes).

It's a challenge, but it's also quite invigorating. And the change of seasons can truly be amazing.

Unless you're at the tiniest U in the tiniest town, there should be decent, practical bus service. The U is usually a major stop (and often with multiple stops).

[origin415]

Busses and trains and such have heat too, so I don't see why public transit will be a problem.

Walking, just wear warm clothes. While perhaps where you are from, jortin10, they don't have them, but they extremely easy to find up here in any clothing store.

Driving in the snow isn't that bad as the places it snows the worst, they have the best infrastructure in place to get it off the road. I go to Buffalo, and the roads are always clear.It would be much worse if you were in a place where it didn't snow so much and you got a freak storm. Then you get stuff like this: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=zMzeiMJQrvk

I've never needed snow tires or chains or anything, though I do keep a folding shovel in my trunk to dig myself out if necessary, I've never used it. If you are living somewhere where it snows a lot and is very remote, then you might need to take more drastic measures.

The basic idea is not to accelerate or brake to hard (slamming on your brakes will just make you slide), and take turns slowly. Snow is more compacted near intersections, so you have to take even more care there. Basically don't be stupid and ignore the fact that you are driving on ice.

Edited February 16, 2010 by origin415

[pea-jay]

Make sure you have good foot wear and watch where you step. Dress in layers.

Public transit in cold winter climates in the north generally do better than those systems in the near south.

[captiv8ed]

I grew up near Chicago. I remember standing outside waiting for the bus in 10 degree weather. I hate the cold but may well be moving to Iowa.

Yes, layers are the key. They are amazing! Wool is good. And really gloves. A couple of pairs of socks with at least one layer being thick wool. And wear a hat or a hood and a scarf. Those little things make such a difference!

Public transportation is doable in the winter. And sometimes it is safer!

[kdilks]

Geez, you people like to be really warm. I've gotten by just fine in Minneapolis without boots or layering.

[peppermint.beatnik]

Geez, you people like to be really warm. I've gotten by just fine in Minneapolis without boots or layering.

I was thinking the same thing, but I'm from a cold, lots of snow, place, too.

[origin415]

Geez, you people like to be really warm. I've gotten by just fine in Minneapolis without boots or layering.

I go to Buffalo and I have literally one pair of pants. I find them much less comfortable than shorts, so the 10 minutes or so a day I'm outside and cold is not worth the rest of the time I spend inside. Needless to say the cold has not been on my mind at all when choosing schools.

[pea-jay]

Geez, you people like to be really warm.

I don't mind the cold or winter weather in general, but I DETEST, HATE, ABHOR being cold. It's awful. I take appropriate precautions.

[kdilks]

I don't mind the cold or winter weather in general, but I DETEST, HATE, ABHOR being cold. It's awful. I take appropriate precautions.

As long as hypothermia isn't a legitimate threat, you've just to not think about it, relax, and let it wash over you.

[hydrangea]

As long as hypothermia isn't a legitimate threat, you've just to not think about it, relax, and let it wash over you.

You know, my Dad always said, "If our family had been on the Titanic, we'd be the first to die." (He grew up in a land with snow.) I think a person's biology has a lot to do with their ability to "not think about it." I grew up in Southern California, and always had a jacket with me because I would get too cold inside the air conditioned buildings. I too am very nervous about moving away from the comfort of the land without snow.

Maybe you all can help me with a new question:

How does one select an apartment that will be adequately insulated? For example, I currently live on a middle floor of a large building, so my apt. temperature is more stable than my boyfriend's previous apartment. His would get blazing in the summer sun, and freezing in the winter night. Almost nothing out here is made of brick, and when I was visiting England, everyone thought that was really strange. I also found that the English use water or steam heating units instead of gas wall units or central air. That could just be the difference between the US and the UK, or it could be the difference between warm climates and cold ones. Any advice on what to look for?

[kdilks]

How does one select an apartment that will be adequately insulated? For example, I currently live on a middle floor of a large building, so my apt. temperature is more stable than my boyfriend's previous apartment. His would get blazing in the summer sun, and freezing in the winter night. Almost nothing out here is made of brick, and when I was visiting England, everyone thought that was really strange. I also found that the English use water or steam heating units instead of gas wall units or central air. That could just be the difference between the US and the UK, or it could be the difference between warm climates and cold ones. Any advice on what to look for?

Every apartment you look at in a region with real seasons will be adequately insulated. In my experience, landlords have always covered the heating bill, and the tenants pay gas/electric, so you don't have to worry about freezing. Also, keep in mind that when you leave for Thanksgiving/winter break, turn your thermostat down but not off. If you turn it all the way off, the water pipes will freeze and burst (not something to look for, just advice that seemed related). Air conditioning (if it exists) is almost always a plug-in window/wall unit (so you'd be paying for that), but you can get by with a box fan in an open window circulating air and as oscillating fan blowing air on you.

[RNadine21]

1. Get some Timberlands. I used to hate them but my family bought them for me in high school because I'd slip around on the ice in my school shoes. They basically saved my ass this winter (I was home in DC when the snow storms started)

2. Once again, layers. Find some nice sweaters and turtlenecks, lots of thinker jeans and cords, a good scarf, hat and gloves. You can start buying some now but warmer clothes also come out in stores before they're really needed, so you can get to your school and buy more clothes then. Oh, also invest in a good peacoat (or whatever style of coat you fancy). I don't know where you're from, but I'm in FL and I've seen lots of warmer clothes in stores (not that I feel they've been necessary until this winter but whatever)

3. You should be find on public transportation. Buses and trains should be heated, the drivers know how to work in bad conditions, and usually the system should be good about acting quickly (whether that means moving a route around to avoid excessive snow or any road damage or outright stopping all transportation - in which case no one in a car or bus should be on the road). The problem might come if you end up living way off a main road, because the city will first try to clear them off and could leave side roads untouched or a bit (I know people back home who were literally trapped at home for days because their roads weren't cleaned)

[pea-jay]

How does one select an apartment that will be adequately insulated? For example, I currently live on a middle floor of a large building, so my apt. temperature is more stable than my boyfriend's previous apartment. His would get blazing in the summer sun, and freezing in the winter night. Almost nothing out here is made of brick, and when I was visiting England, everyone thought that was really strange. I also found that the English use water or steam heating units instead of gas wall units or central air. That could just be the difference between the US and the UK, or it could be the difference between warm climates and cold ones. Any advice on what to look for?

The easy answer is the newer the unit the better. Energy efficiency codes are much improved over earlier decades as are the heating and cooling capabilities of the various climate control units out there. Getting an apartment in the middle of a large newer structure will pretty much ensure comfortable living space. Older structures will tend to be far more variable. I live in a rather old half insulated house and my primary source of heat is wood (yes there are places where this is still common) with electric space heat backup in the bedrooms. No central heat or AC. Needless to say temperature swings are quite wild indoors (45 lowest inside, 100 highest). I'm not thrilled about that but the house is in a nice area, is a cheap rental with a great landlord so I cant complain too much. I must say though, the next place I live will not require me to monitor a fire and periodically be a chimney sweep. Dirty job.

Most of the time when it's cold, I wear extra clothes.

[hydrangea]

Every apartment you look at in a region with real seasons will be adequately insulated. In my experience, landlords have always covered the heating bill, and the tenants pay gas/electric, so you don't have to worry about freezing. Also, keep in mind that when you leave for Thanksgiving/winter break, turn your thermostat down but not off. If you turn it all the way off, the water pipes will freeze and burst (not something to look for, just advice that seemed related). Air conditioning (if it exists) is almost always a plug-in window/wall unit (so you'd be paying for that), but you can get by with a box fan in an open window circulating air and as oscillating fan blowing air on you.

The easy answer is the newer the unit the better. Energy efficiency codes are much improved over earlier decades as are the heating and cooling capabilities of the various climate control units out there. Getting an apartment in the middle of a large newer structure will pretty much ensure comfortable living space. Older structures will tend to be far more variable. I live in a rather old half insulated house and my primary source of heat is wood (yes there are places where this is still common) with electric space heat backup in the bedrooms. No central heat or AC. Needless to say temperature swings are quite wild indoors (45 lowest inside, 100 highest). I'm not thrilled about that but the house is in a nice area, is a cheap rental with a great landlord so I cant complain too much. I must say though, the next place I live will not require me to monitor a fire and periodically be a chimney sweep. Dirty job.

Most of the time when it's cold, I wear extra clothes.

Thanks for the info! I will be moving somewhere, that is likely to have snow, in July. I think I will want to sub-let a place if I can while I do an in person apartment search. I've seen about half of the currently listed places offer to pay heat. I suppose if they are paying it, I can trust it to be warm enough.

[pea-jay]

. I've seen about half of the currently listed places offer to pay heat. I suppose if they are paying it, I can trust it to be warm enough.

Not necessarily. Many cities have a minimum mandated temp for daytime and night time conditions. When I lived in Chicago, landlords only had to maintain a temp in the upper 50s indoors between 10p and 6a. It went up to the low to mid 60s during the day hours. One place I lived, the guy was a stingy SOB and followed the mandated minimums and cut off the heat overnight. It took some getting used to. The second place I lived, I lived over the boiler and had first crack at the heat. It rarely fell below 78 in the apartment. The place I stayed in NYC (also steam heat) was real messed up. One wing of the building was broiling hot and the other side freezing cold. Just something to keep in mind.