Moving to a Different Climate? Here’s Help

You have decided to attend a college located on the other side of the country. You’ve seen pictures of the school at its best and may have even visited. Now that you know where you are going, how do you prepare for the extreme differences in weather that you might experience?

Believe it or not, there are a few typical mistakes that people make when moving to a state with a very different climate.

Dressing for the Weather

The most common mistake people make is forgetting to consider the weather while packing and planning a move. While moving from a cold environment to somewhere hot may not be much of a difficulty if you overdress, the same cannot be said when moving from hot to cold climates. It is easy to overlook taking a heavy coat, gloves, and a scarf with you if moving from somewhere like Florida to a snowy state like Vermont during the winter. Check the forecast before packing and plan for adverse weather by dressing in easily removable layers that are appropriate for where you are moving.

Utilities

Surprisingly, electricity, gas, or other services are factors that many people overlook until after they have made their move as well. Unfortunately, trying to activate utilities may not always run as quickly as one might hope. Call the utility company a month in advance to find out how long it takes to set up necessary services like electricity, water, internet, etc.

Transportation

Many high school and college students ride bikes to and from school. Although you may need to drink more water to stay hydrated, you will still be able to ride a bike in the hotter states even in winter. States like Wisconsin, with heavy snowfall each year, will require a different means of getting to and from school or work. You can find additional bicycle safety tips here.

Depending on where you will be moving to, public transportation may be an option to consider. Most college cities have a bus system which is often free for students.

If you are driving your car, plan for the weather where you will be going. If heavy snow is in the forecast, make sure you have a cold-weather emergency kit and some snow chains packed. If you are moving to a hot location, carry some extra water with you just in case.

About the author:

Gregory Stump majored in English while serving in the U.S. Army. After leaving the service, he grew his hair out and started writing. He is a full-time writer living in Yorktown, VA. However, he is always looking for that next exotic location to travel to.