Help, I need your advice . . .

**frugalfriend** · 01-23-2007, 01:53 PM

Many of you live in cold climates and I'm wondering if you had a choice would you stay there or move to a warmer climate? We are planning to move from

Southern California to c-c-c-old Colorado! There are many reasons for the move: financial, good public schools in the area we are looking, (currently pay for private school), other family members moving too, less crowded, less crime, etc. But I'm wondering with all that I hear about ice storms, blizzards, snow or just plain dealing with the cold, IS IT WORTH IT?! LOL! Basically I want to know how you deal with it, and is it by choice?

Any feedback would be very much appreciated, as this is a huge change for our family. I have lived in a cold climate until I was 9 years old. DH and our kids never have. Of course Colorado summers are warm and beautiful!

**PrairieRose** · 01-23-2007, 01:58 PM

Our climate is warm 9 months out of the year and for most of the winter it's not too bad. Right now we have 8 inches of snow on the ground and I don't even wanna brave the roads to drive 17 miles to our nearest bigger town for groceries. I dunno.....During this time of the year I dream of living somewhere warmer. I could live in Cozumel and be quite happy I think (if it were not for the hurricanes). I guess everywhere you live has it's drawbacks, there is no 'perfect' place. I hope you get some more input from others, I'm no help.

**Hollyhandi** · 01-23-2007, 02:07 PM

We hope to move to South Carolina in a few years...
I really am getting where I can't handle the cold here in the winter....
( healthwise )

**monkeywrangler71** · 01-23-2007, 02:21 PM

...gazing out at the snow falling...

If I only had to consider the temperature, I would move somewhere warmer without a second thought. Unfortunately, I'm about as far south as I can get without leaving the country, so there would be a lot more important things to think about. As much as I despise the cold, I can put up with it for a couple months in exchange for the benefits of living here.

I find that remembering the 4 inch long cockroach on the bathroom wall at the Econolodge in Tucson helps me get through the coldest of days.

**cheappearls** · 01-23-2007, 02:26 PM

I have lived in Oklahoma almost 8 years and I LOVE IT! I moved here from Southern California (Upland area) and it took a bit getting used to but I would rather live here then there.

Just seeing snow just outside my front door is amazing. Then the cold nights are an excuse to cuddle up with DH in a big blanket and watch tv.

The only thing is you have to be prepaired to buy new clothes, jackets and boots for when winter hits.

**acidcookie** · 01-23-2007, 02:29 PM

I only live here to finish grad school, and then I plan on leaving. But not because of the cold, just because Pennsylvania doesn't really suit my style. I'd like to live somewhere warmer, but I'm not a fan of the southern states either. To me, California is a bit over-rated because I come from Oregon and I know I belong in the Pacific Northwest or maybe in New England. Ideally I wouldn't live in snow because I can handle heat much better (desert heat is fine with me!)

Maybe I just need another country

**pinetree** · 01-23-2007, 02:30 PM

We are planning on moving south when we retire. Warmer weather sounds so good.

If there was anyway we could move the business we would be gone along time ago.

We have alot of people here that go down south for the winter then come back up in April.

I guess we are just stuck, for right now, ( and I have got to say,WE are SO SICK OF THIS SNOW! )

**Hoosier Momma** · 01-23-2007, 02:36 PM

I've lived in Indiana, California, Puerto Rico (now we are talking hot 24/7/365!), Louisiana, Oklahoma, and am back in Indiana. If I had to pick a place based on weather, it would be California, but we can't afford to live there. If I had to pick a place based on cost of living, Oklahoma wins (and the people are friendly too). However, to avoid making 800 mile trips (one way) back and forth to Indiana many times a year to visit family, we chose to come to Indiana for good. The cost of living is a bit higher (in OK, we had a 3 bed,2 bath house on 2.5 acres for $84,000--albeit a fixer-upper--and our house here in Madison, on .5 acre, but 5 bed, 2 bath was $120,000) but we consider it a tradeoff.

I like seeing the seasons change, even the cold season! And for seeing the leaves fall in September/October, southern Indiana can't be beat!

**Sundae** · 01-23-2007, 02:45 PM

Lived in Orange county Ca. till I was 29, now live in Iowa. Would I move here again because of the cold winter? In a heart beat! No I am not to fond of snow or the cold, but you adjust and learn how to wear layers of clothes. The summers are hot too, but I don't mind them either. Its just so pretty with different seasons in full swing. Make that move and have fun!!!

**Missy** · 01-23-2007, 02:57 PM

i used to live in the Mojave. I do miss the warm, but all in all, co is great.

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-23-2007, 03:17 PM

I live in PA and I dispise the cold weather, for me never would I move to somewhere colder but that's JMO. If I could afford it I would move to CA in a heartbeat. Personally I want to move to Kansas or Kentucky, not like it's warm there but it's the country and that's what I love the most.

**momof42003** · 01-23-2007, 03:25 PM

I have always told DH that I would LOVE it if we lived some where, where there was a deffinate WINTER and a definate SUMMER... Here in Oregon, it is usually just the rainy season, and not so rainy season and maybe a week of "hot" weather... I would go to some where like Colorado in a heart beat. So it can get down right fridgid there, but it is not all year, and it sounds like you have some great reasons TO go... I hope you find your answer soon... Good luck.

**jamie79** · 01-23-2007, 04:24 PM

Well we lived in different parts of Georgia twice and Puerto Rico and I would rather live where there are seasons. I hate just one season HOT and then the next season is HOTTER

**Amanda W** · 01-23-2007, 05:41 PM

DH and I have both lived in Central Illinois our whole lives. He would never move away while his parents are still alive, but we've both talked about moving to the South after they pass someday. As much as I hate the cold, I hate bugs even worse and I'm terrified that there would just be huge creepy crawlies everywhere.

**Nada.Leona** · 01-23-2007, 05:55 PM

Your body will be frigid cold come the first year or two, but it will eventually adapt to the temperatures. Wear good warm socks (start knitting!), extra sweaters and gloves in the winter. Here in Nova Scotia, we're in the middle of a good ol' Jan. cold snap. Most of the rest of the "winter" has been exceptionally mild. So we're paying for it now. I wear a heavy long black wool coat, a fuzzy black hat me mudder broughts home frum Newfundlan'

and a pair of men's leather gloves (got for free, and they were warmer than mine) when I go outside or drive. I also keep a downfilled throw in the backseat of my car during the winter -- when it gets cold like that, I toss it over my legs when I am driving and don't have time to let the car heat up first.