3 ms·

I wonder if you’ll feel the same way after your first winter though

wenc 6y ago
I live in Chicago, and to be honest, it's not that bad if you own a car. (Chicago is relatively car friendly). Winters are harder for those who don't own a car -- and many don't, but they manage fine by just bundling up. Anecdotally one hears of people leaving Chicago for a warmer climate, but it's more common for people to leave the city to move to the suburbs (better schools) or to neighboring Indiana (lower COL) -- where there are no weather advantages. For most of us who live in the northern parts of North America, winter is something we're used to and is not the push factor so many believe it is (those who do see it as a push factor tend to be outspoken about it, so their voices are amplified, which skews perceptions). If winter was indeed that terrible, the northern North America would have been depopulated. But if you talk to the locals here, many would tell you they prefer to live in the north. (of course some won't but not as many as you would think)
- DrJokepu 6y ago
  I live in rural Northeast so I’m fairly familiar with the weather. We had snow two weeks ago, which is just disrespectful. But I guess it’s all a matter of taste.
  - wenc 6y ago
    I feel you. I used to live in Quebec so I know what that's about. Chicago weather is tropical in comparison.
city41 6y ago
I grew up in the Midwest as did my wife. We are ok with winters. We’ve also lived in Denver and Chicago.
refurb 6y ago
I used to live in Western Michigan and the winters are surprisingly mild due to the winds from the West being warmed by Lake Michigan. It snows a lot, but it's often hovering around 32F, so the snow on the roads melts fast. A really cold day might 15F, but it's not that common. Summers are gorgeous and I miss them living in SF. Being able to go out in the evening in shorts while it hovers in the high 70's is fantastic. Super lush and green.

wenc 6y ago

I live in Chicago, and to be honest, it's not that bad if you own a car. (Chicago is relatively car friendly). Winters are harder for those who don't own a car -- and many don't, but they manage fine by just bundling up. Anecdotally one hears of people leaving Chicago for a warmer climate, but it's more common for people to leave the city to move to the suburbs (better schools) or to neighboring Indiana (lower COL) -- where there are no weather advantages. For most of us who live in the northern parts of North America, winter is something we're used to and is not the push factor so many believe it is (those who do see it as a push factor tend to be outspoken about it, so their voices are amplified, which skews perceptions). If winter was indeed that terrible, the northern North America would have been depopulated. But if you talk to the locals here, many would tell you they prefer to live in the north. (of course some won't but not as many as you would think)

DrJokepu 6y ago
I live in rural Northeast so I’m fairly familiar with the weather. We had snow two weeks ago, which is just disrespectful. But I guess it’s all a matter of taste.
- wenc 6y ago
  I feel you. I used to live in Quebec so I know what that's about. Chicago weather is tropical in comparison.

city41 6y ago

I grew up in the Midwest as did my wife. We are ok with winters. We’ve also lived in Denver and Chicago.

refurb 6y ago

I used to live in Western Michigan and the winters are surprisingly mild due to the winds from the West being warmed by Lake Michigan. It snows a lot, but it's often hovering around 32F, so the snow on the roads melts fast. A really cold day might 15F, but it's not that common. Summers are gorgeous and I miss them living in SF. Being able to go out in the evening in shorts while it hovers in the high 70's is fantastic. Super lush and green.