What to know when moving to a cold climate

When moving to a cold climate for the first time, the mere idea of snow and ice may be enough to give you the chills. Howling blizzards, biting frosts, and slippery roads are indeed scary and you can surely expect sub-zero temperatures and snowdrifts when moving to a cold state, so you have every right to be wary of your forthcoming relocation.

Yet, it isn’t all bad. Cold weather has plenty of benefits too – less bugs, less allergies, better sleep, higher calorie burn, fun outdoor activities, etc. Your new life after moving to a cold climate can be even more comfortable and more enjoyable than before – you just need to find a way to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Here is everything you need to know when moving from a warm climate to a cold climate in order to successfully overcome the challenge and ensure your successful relocation and quick adaptation to the new environment.

What to know when moving to a cold state

Moving from a warm state to a colder location entails a big lifestyle change:

1. You’re going to need cold-weather gear:

• Warm clothes – a long winter coat (a puffy down jacket or a parka with a hood) and a thick hat, as well as some wool socks, wool sweaters, fleece pants, insulated gloves, and cozy scarves;
• Insulated waterproof boots with deep lugs for improved traction;
• Big fluffy blankets to keep you warm during the nights (and to curl under whenever you feel cold);
• Hydrating lotions and lip balms to protect your skin and prevent chapped lips;
• Snow removal equipment – snow blowers, snow shovels, ice scrapers, salt spreaders, etc.

2. Your heating bills will be higher – Keeping your home warm for six-to-eight months of harsh weather will cost you a pretty penny. Yet, proper heating is very important – and not only about comfort. Keeping indoor temperatures in the upper 50s Fahrenheit helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting, saving you lots of troubles – and money – when living in cold weather.
3. You will need to properly winterize your home – Winterizing your home will improve its energy efficiency and will help protect the roof and other structural elements from snow damage. So, before your first winter in your new area, you will need to:

• Change the furnace filters;
• Add a thicker layer of insulation around the pipes;
• Check for drafts and install (or replace) weather stripping and caulk, as needed;
• Make sure your new home’s attic has efficient insulation;
• Clean the gutters of dead leaves and other debris, so that the water from melting snow and ice can freely flow away.

4. There will be more chores to do – When living in a cold climate, you will be dealing with snowy weather for several months a year – and snow means a lot of extra work: you will have to keep your driveway and walkways free of snow and ice, remove snow and icicles from the roof, remove snow from around the house foundations, dig your car out every time it snows, etc.
5. Your vehicle will need extra care and driving will be difficult – To keep your car running smoothly in cold weather you’re going to need antifreeze (to prevent the radiator water from freezing), thinner oil (for correct viscosity), snow tires, windshield washer fluid especially designed for low temperatures, an ice scraper (or a special screen protector to prevent ice from forming on your windshield), and other appropriate equipment. Car maintenance will take longer and will require greater effort than when living in a warm climate.

Handling your vehicle on the road will also be quite a challenge – you’ll have to deal with snowdrifts (sometime the roads may be completely blocked), slippery surfaces, black ice (a thin coating of glaze ice that is transparent and takes on the color of the surface of the road it’s on, so it’s very difficult to see), fishtailing (when the back tires lose traction and the rear end of the car skids to one side), and other weather-related difficulties and dangerous road conditions.

6. Extreme cold can pose serious health risks, such as frostbite and hypothermia, so you will need to be really careful when going outside. Also, keep in mind that people with arthritis may experience more severe joint pain in cold weather, and one can easily get a sore throat or catch a cold when exposed to chilly temperatures.

Related: How to move in the winter

Tips for moving to a cold climate

Moving to a cold climate involves the same meticulous planning and arduous preparations needed for any house move – plus some specific extras. When moving to cold weather, you’re advised to:

1) Buy your cold-weather gear after the move

Buying winter clothing and footwear and cold-weather accessories and equipment from your current area will make your relocation much more difficult and more expensive:

• You will have to pack all those voluminous clothes and oddly-shaped items for moving – which will take a lot of time and effort;
• The winter gear will take up a lot of space in the moving boxes and in the moving truck;
• Your moving costs will go up – moving costs are based on the weight of the shipment and winter gear is quite heavy.

Besides, the things you buy from your warm state will likely not be good enough for a real winter – you’ll certainly get better gear from your new area where they will be selling items that actually work for a cold climate.

Bonus tip: Sort out your belongings and get rid of everything you won’t be able to use in your new surroundings (most of your warm-weather items) to lighten the load and make your relocation cheaper and easier. (Related useful information: How to decide what to pack for moving)

2) When packing for your move, provide your items with adequate protection against moisture and cold

• Use quality packing supplies;
• Pack items vulnerable to water damage (paper items, electronics, artwork, etc.) in plastic moving boxes;
• Wrap individual items in thick paper and bubble wrap to insulate them against the cold;
• Add plenty of padding in the boxes (crumpled paper, bubble wrap, old clothes and towels, etc.) for better insulation;
• Seal the packing containers tightly so that water and cold air cannot get inside;
• Cover cardboard boxes with waterproofing materials such as plastic wrap;
• Wrap larger items in thick moving blankets and plastic wrap;
• Have your most delicate and most valuable items packed by professional packers – they have the specialized packing materials and technical know-how to ensure the best possible protection to your items in cold weather.

You can find more tips on how to keep your items safe when moving in cold weather here.

3) Hire professional moving assistance

If you’re moving from warm weather to cold weather, yours will be a long distance relocation – and it is never a good idea to attempt a self-move when moving across the country. Even more importantly though, it is very difficult and very dangerous to drive a large moving truck in snow and ice (and the chance of snowy weather is rather high when moving to a cold state), so you should not even think about renting a moving van and transporting your items to your new address yourself.

It’s best to leave the job to the experts – professional movers have the experience and know-how to safely transport your shipment to your new home, even in adverse weather conditions. Besides, the pros will perform your move in the smoothest and most efficient way possible, taking away the stress and hard work of moving and allowing you time to better prepare for your new life in the realm of snow and ice.

See also: Reasons to hire professional movers

4) Prepare your car for the cold – or sell it

If you want to take your car to your new area, you need to prepare it for the cold:

• Have the battery checked and replace it if necessary;
• Have the coolant system checked and refill antifreeze;
• Have the oil changed to get the right viscosity for optimal winter performance;
• Get windshield washer fluid specially designed for cold weather;
• Get winter wiper blades designed that are flexible enough to withstand extremely low temperatures and provide better protection against the buildup of snow and ice;
• Get snow tires with specialized tread patterns and rubber compounds that provide enhanced traction on icy roads;
• Wash your car often – the salt on the roads is really bad for your vehicle;
• Make a survival kit for your car – include a snow shovel, an ice scraper, a few jumper cables, some de-icing salt, emergency flares, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a blanket, bottled water and non-perishable snacks, and some warm clothing.

When driving, do your best to keep your car safe on the road:

• Practice driving in the snow in an empty parking lot that has not been plowed before you actually drive somewhere;
• Intentionally fishtail so you know how to react to it;
• When driving in the snow, allow yourself twice the amount of time than you would need in favorable weather conditions to get somewhere;
• Drive slowly and carefully – avoid accelerating too quickly, slamming on the brakes, making sharp turns, and overtaking other vehicles;
• Leave a lot of room between your car and the vehicle in front of you because stopping will take longer on snowy and/or icy roads.

Bonus tip: If you’re moving to a place where cars aren’t completely necessary for getting around, consider selling your vehicle before the move and using the public transport system in your new city.

5) Take care of your kids and your pets

Younger children will not know how to dress properly for the cold, how to protect their hands, feet, necks, ears, and face from the chilly winds, how to deal with frostbite, etc. You need to prepare them for living in cold weather as best you can before the move and make sure they’re warmly dressed and know how to stay safe when going outside after the relocation.

Pets need some extra care too – speak with your veterinarian regarding their acclimatization and take them outside only for short periods. If you have a dog, they may need to wear a coat when taken on walks. Follow the links below to find out how to help your animal friends adjust after moving to a new place:

How to make a dog comfortable in a new home

How to make a cat comfortable in a new home

6) Enjoy the outdoors

As chilled as you may feel in the first weeks after the relocation (or during the first winter in your new area), do not just hole up in your home – try to get outside and have some fun. There are many enjoyable things to do in the snow:

• Try snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, tobogganing, sledding, and/or ice skating;
• Make snow angels and snowmen with your friends and your kids;
• Go to winter festivals and community events; etc.

The more you brave the cold temperatures, the faster your body will adapt and the easier your transition will be. Happy new life in your cold state!