As Winter begins to settle into the majority of the continental United States, making a move in cold weather now is almost a certainty. If you are moving north, especially to states such as Vermont, New York, Michigan, etc., from a southern state, you might not be prepared for what awaits you. Check out our tips for those making a move from a generally warm climate to a colder environment.
Wait to buy your winter clothing: While this might sound counter intuitive but hear us out. If you live in, say Miami, FL, you cannot expect stores there to carry heavy duty winter gear meant for people who live in Rhode Island. Stuff you buy might not be the best for environments where average temperatures in are the 40’s or lower. Try and wait until you get to the place you are moving to before buying a bunch of warm climate “winter gear”.
Layering: Cold weather climates require more than just you wearing a coat. When temperatures get into the freezing and below freezing marks, you will need more than one layer. Layers provide insulation and help prevent heat escaping your body. Consider getting thermal underwear or shirts, covering that with an insulation layer like wool or fleece, and then covering all that with a down jacket or heavy duty waterproof jacket. Layers will help tremendously against very cold temperatures. Also consider buying some high-quality wool socks, your feet will thank you.
Get some boots: Some good and sturdy multi-purpose will help you in a variety of situations. Make sure that whatever boots you buy are insulated, have deep snow treads, and are waterproof. You will undoubtedly deal with snow, so having boots that can handle the cold and water equally well is vital.
Consider a sun lamp: Depending on where you are moving from if you are used to having sunlight for much of the day (even in winter) consider getting a sun lamp. Not getting enough sunlight can influence your mood, a medical issue called Seasonal Affective Disorder. A sun lamp can help imitate daylight, helping you and your body adjust to your new surroundings.
Keep active: While sun lamps are good for a bit, nothing can replace the genuine article. While it may be a pain to get outside, it’s important to do so. Equally important is staying active physically. You can learn new things like ice skating or skiing or join a local gym. Cold weather doldrums are real, especially for those who move from traditionally warmer areas. Staying active can make those doldrum easier to manage, and you can stay in shape!
Make life easier for your furry friend(s): If you have a dog you are used to taking for long walks, that might not be something you’ll be able to do with regularity in a cold climate. But that shouldn’t stop you or your dog from having fun and stretching your legs. Have plenty of toys on hand for you and your dog to play with, or if you have stairs in your home/apartment building, walk your dog there some. If you do take your dog out for walks, be sure they will stay warm! If they need a doggy jacket or even shoes, make sure they have all they need to stay warm.
Get your vehicle cold weather ready: Before you move, take your vehicle in for servicing and make sure it is prepared for the cold whether you will be facing. This means checking your battery, fluid levels, tires, etc. All of these things are extremely important for your vehicle to survive. Also have a cold weather pack ready to go in your vehicle as well. This includes having items such as jumper cables, flashlights, road salt (or cat litter), first aid kit, ice scraper, and other items ready to go. You never know when you might need them for yourself or to help a fellow driver.
If you need some assistance in making your move to a new, colder state, give 1-800-PACK-RAT a call. We can provide both local and long-distance moving services featuring our all-steel, weatherproof containers. We can also provide you with temporary or long-term storage in one of our nationwide storage facilities. Whatever your moving and storage needs are, 1-800-PACK-RAT has you covered!