Are Chicago winters survivable? (Phoenix, Atlanta: housing, rent, work)

[Outlander]

We just spent our first winter in Chicago this past year and I have to tell you, it seemed incredibly long to me. We're both originally from NJ and neither one of us remember the season being this long in NJ.

The amount of snowfall we had actually seemed comparable to NJ winters (from what I remember) and they actually do a great job getting the roads cleaned up quickly. For me, it's the bone-chilling wind and cold temps that are hard to take. I despise the winter, in case you haven't guessed.

But I'll tell you this. If this pharmacy school is something you really want, then just set your mind to do it and then move on/out. I would suggest making a trip or two, if you can afford it, to warmer climates, during January/February.

We're here only as a temporary job assignment for my husband, so I know that in 2 more years, we'll be heading back to sunny northern CA. THAT'S what keeps me going during those brutal cold spells.

For what it's worth, October was pretty nice last year, with "unseasonably warm" temperatures.

Good luck with your decision!

[pw72]

I spent just one winter in the Chi 'burbs....'05-'06, so one year is not a fair judgement. But it wasn't bad at all. Very few days of difficult travel. They do a good job of removing snow throughout the region, I must say.

[toast12]

Sweet Jesus you scrawny creeps are weak. Living is Wisconsin (NORTH of chicago) winters are never as harsh as you arizona rednecks make it out to be.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by toast12

Sweet Jesus you scrawny creeps are weak. Living is Wisconsin (NORTH of chicago) winters are never as harsh as you arizona rednecks make it out to be.

Dont let them speak for us all.

[ajf131]

I could take a Chicago winter...they get a lot more snow, but St. Louis gets more than enough for me to be used to it, and temperature-wise Chicago's temperatures are generally nothing that St. Louis hasn't seen at some point in time...it just stays colder longer there. Chicago's winters compared to Cleveland's or Minneapolis' are survivable. Chicago is essentially like the moderated winter between Cleveland and Minneapolis...cold like Minneapolis but not quite as cold, and not as much snow as Cleveland. Plus, since Chicago is located west of Lake Michigan and not east, they generally don't need to worry about lake-effect snow. I could tolerate Chicago in the winter. With global warming they are not NEARLY as bad as they have historically been.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by toast12

Sweet Jesus you scrawny creeps are weak. Living is Wisconsin (NORTH of chicago) winters are never as harsh as you arizona rednecks make it out to be.

Like Arizonans have a right to talk? Their summers compromise their winters....personally I would rather deal with a winter in wisconsin north of Chicago then I would the unbearable desert heat in Arizona.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by ajf131

Like Arizonans have a right to talk? Their summers compromise their winters....personally I would rather deal with a winter in wisconsin north of Chicago then I would the unbearable desert heat in Arizona.

I assumed he was calling Illinoisans "Arizona rednecks" for some strange reason. Er, at least thats how I took it.

[kbchitown]

Lived in Chicago 52 years.

I lot of what I hear from out of towners is urban legend. Are winters cold? Can be. But from Sept to April? C'mon. It starts getting cool around mid October - but fall is a great time in itself. November can be cool, rainy and grey at times but certainly not artic. In recent years Decembers haven't had a lot of snow - and who can do without a white Christmas? January and February are the coldest IMO, but come March - starts the warm up.

There's also something about the change of seasons. A definite beginning and ending - cycle of life sort of thing. After a grey winter, spring and the greening of the earth is that much more special somehow...you are almost able to "smell" the color green.

I laugh when I hear people from warm climates complain that THEY could never be cooped up all winter when they spend April thru November in air conditioning because of the heat! In Chicago most of the summer I can have the windows open because it's not a blast furnace out there.

I can always put on a heavy sweater or coat - but when it's hot I can't take off my skin!

And after all that said, we're moving to Austin. Job transfer. How's that for irony?

[radraja]

I remember winters in Chicago. Below 0 temperatures were the norm, and we'd often get "cold days" off from school (because it was so cold that the bus engines couldn't start). However, I didn't find it to be too bad. You get used to it.

Toast - Even though WI gets more snow, the average Chicago winter day feels colder (mostly due to the extreme wind factor). This is the conclusion I've come to after spending several winters in both states.

[radraja]

I'm also going to add that falls in Chicago are lovely. Crisp and cool with lots of fall colors...

It's really only wintery from late November to February.