Making any move can be a challenge, even more so if you go from one climate extreme to another one. Although more people transition from cold to warm climates, there are still some people who travel in the opposite direction. If cold climate living is new to you, here’s what to expect.
- Cold doesn’t mean always cold. Every cold climate eventually gets warm, although that warmth may be limited to a few months of the year, namely June, July, and August. Flip flops, shorts and sleeveless shirts can be worn wherever you go, so bring your favorite summer gear with you.
- Air conditioning may be optional. In some locales, home air conditioners are a rare site, especially central units. What most people use are window units, designed to cool one room. Hot spells typically are short lived, but when they arrive they can be nasty. Ceiling and floor fans along with open windows is one way people deal with the heat.
- Break out the woolies. If you live in Southern California or Florida, you may have winter gear for those days when temperatures drop below 60 degrees. What you should know is that in some areas of the far north, cool temperatures prevail from Labor Day to Memorial Day. No, you may not need to wear a hat or gloves on some days, but having enough winter gear on hand, including your woolies is important.
- Utility costs can be stratospheric. Most northern homes are heated by gas or oil, with coal also available. It isn’t uncommon for homeowners to have one or two fireplaces with stacks upon stacks of wood outside of the home. You’ll soon learn that the wood and other heating methods are important in an effort to hold down utility costs. Heating an average home can top $500 per month or push $1,000 when fuel prices are very high. Keep these costs in mind when you move to a colder location.
- Garages are used for cars. Your garage or car port may be a storage area in your current home, but in locations where snow events are common people use their garages to store their cars. A novel idea, huh? Seriously, if you buy a home thinking of converting it to a storage area, then think again. A garage makes it easier to protect your car and enable you to get on the road quickly after a snowfall.
- Extra storage space may be needed. Depending on the home your buy or rent, you may find that you don’t have enough storage space. With the garage being used for its intended purpose, the basement and attic may not be enough. Don’t even think of a shed unless it is climate controlled — ice crystals can form on everything on the inside when it is bitter outside.
- Your entire way of living is different. People who make the transition from warm to cold climates are often surprised by how people not just survive, but thrive where winter seems to rule. They do what they have to do and that means participating in winter sports, reading, and socializing. The Internet has, of course, made it easier for people to connect, but when your way of life is dominated by cold and snow, you find a way to cope.
On the Move
Another thing to consider when moving from a warm climate to a cold climate is how that move transpires in the winter months. If your new area is socked in by snow, your moving company will adjust accordingly. Your moving company foreman will keep you apprised of the situation explains the North American Moving Companies.