How bad are the winters in Chicago? (Pittsburg, Buffalo: hotel, luxury)

[raleightransplant]

Originally Posted by edsg25

or, in other words, we're not Cleveland or Buffalo!

True. However, we do get (on average) plenty of snow. It's not like Chicago's some snow desert just because the lake's to the east. I've seen reverse lake effect (east to west) where there's little snow inland or the western burbs...only to find 6 + inches of freshly fallen snow in the city due to the lake. I've seen that a few times.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by CA-DC-CHI

Sometimes you have to go where the job is *shrug*

Thanks for your responses, I'm really racking my brain over this I hate hate hate the cold, but other than that, I think Chicago is a great city. As for 5-6am sunrises - that's very immaterial as I hate the mornings as well - you'll never catch me up that early.

what to do ...

I think the kicker is that you say you get affected by cold weather in a bad way (like Seasonal Affective Syndrome?). Really, it's more cloudy than sunny here in the winter, and it's still cold (my point before was that it's not a tundra except a few times, but it's still cold (18-32 usually)).

You'll have to rack your brain around it for sure. I'd say if you didn't get affected by cold like that, your decision might be a tad bit easier. I say if you do end up moving here, to invest in a warm scarf. I have a 50% silk and 50% cashmere scarf (can't believe how cheap they are in Europe) that is ridiculous. If I wear it with my coat up, there's been a few times it's kept me so warm I almost started sweating when it was sunny out even though it was around 20-25.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

I was mainly talking about SW Michigan and Northern Indiana

Buffalo and Rochester, NY even get more snow than in SW MICH...

[Fishtacos]

Objectively speaking, this is and will be a significant topic for the original poster. As few have mentioned, one big aspect is light, sun, daylight. Another that I have not seen mentioned in this thread is wind. Wind is a significant factor. It makes a big difference, in a negative way.

It is very important to dress properly in Chicago in the cold, and take care of the feet, hands, and head.

Winter and Spring in Chicago are very different than DC or Philadelphia.

My advice is to do all of the little things to prepare yourself on a daily basis. It helps.

Chicago is a great place, but i'm not going to sugarcoat the weather for the original poster. If it is a good opportunity, take it, enjoy the other aspects of Chicago and your life. When you go, it doesn't have to be forever if you don't want it to be.

[CA-DC-CHI]

Originally Posted by Fishtacos

Chicago is a great place, but i'm not going to sugarcoat the weather for the original poster. If it is a good opportunity, take it, enjoy the other aspects of Chicago and your life. When you go, it doesn't have to be forever if you don't want it to be.

Thanks, this is definitely how I'm looking at it. If I absolutely hate the weather, I'll figure out something else; as for now, this is a great opportunity - I just got my MBA and this could easily set me up for a lot of different opportunities in the future.

So would you say Chicago doesn't really have a spring season? (on average, I know the ENTIRE country had a mild winter this winter, so please don't use this year's weather to answer that) Is winter November - March or April?

[uffthefluff]

My least favorite season in Chicago is summer, as oftentimes the heat index is at or near 100. If I didn't live on the lake I doubt I could take it some weeks. In winter, even if it's in the teens, one can always wear more layers.

I'd say the winter here in no worse than Boston and people rarely choose to avoid that city due to "horrible" weather. Yes winter is quite nice in Texas, but Houston summers are almost unlivable in my opinion.

I doubt the winter here is enough to ruin the experience of all the rest Chicago has to offer, especially for a young grad with plenty of energy to keep warm or shovel snow if need be.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by uffthefluff

My least favorite season in Chicago is summer, as oftentimes the heat index is at or near 100. If I didn't live on the lake I doubt I could take it some weeks. In winter, even if it's in the teens, one can always wear more layers.

I'd say the winter here in no worse than Boston and people rarely choose to avoid that city due to "horrible" weather. Yes winter is quite nice in Texas, but Houston summers are almost unlivable in my opinion.

I doubt the winter here is enough to ruin the experience of all the rest Chicago has to offer, especially for a young grad with plenty of energy to keep warm or shovel snow if need be.

Originally Posted by CA-DC-CHI

Thanks, this is definitely how I'm looking at it. If I absolutely hate the weather, I'll figure out something else; as for now, this is a great opportunity - I just got my MBA and this could easily set me up for a lot of different opportunities in the future.

So would you say Chicago doesn't really have a spring season? (on average, I know the ENTIRE country had a mild winter this winter, so please don't use this year's weather to answer that) Is winter November - March or April?

Ever been to some Cubs home night games in April? Keep going past March.

By your definition and my definition, Chicago does not have an early or nice Spring most of the time. There will always be an exception but it's a far worse Spring than say DC etc...by yours and my understanding.

I find Spring to be arguably tougher than Winter. The weather isn't worse. But after 3 tough months, it just isn't significantly enough better.

Often times it's cooler by the lake and with more wind too.

When some people I know visit Chicago, they prefer to do it in late june, July, or August just to make sure temps will be at a certain level. They consider May and even a little bit of June iffy and too variable for them.

Spring can be cold, blustery, gloomy, especially the earlier parts of it. Winter is cold. There aren't as many wild temp variations in Winter in Chicago, as in above freezing the next day or two to melt a snow fall as quickly.

Chicago weather can wear some people down over time. It's "worse" than DC,Philly,NYC by your definition, and mine. You will be able to handle Chicago weather for a while, xyz years. Have a positive attitude, and prepare for weather. I can't mention that enough. Don't wing it all the time.

Chicago is a great city with lots of opportunity. You won't regret taking the opportunity. If you go in with an open mind, good attitude, and with the understanding that you are there for opportunity and to advance your life, you'll do just fine. Give it a fair chance, and see what happens. As I stated, for many, the weather wears people down over time. It will be a novelty experience initially, then something you'll get used to, and then perhaps something you'll get sick of. By then you'll have a great experience in many ways and many new increased life options. And if for some reason you are miserable well before that, you leave, and you will still be better for the experience.

[ForYourLungsOnly]

i swear people who talk about Chicago winters are living in some fairy tale Narnia. The winters ARE NOT THAT BAD. they are WINTERS. I have spent a ton of time and have lived in areas of similar latitude and geographic area as Chicago and the winters are EXTREMELY comparable. I am seriously blown away how Chicago's winters become such an enormous topic of discussion so often. Give it a rest.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by CA-DC-CHI

Thanks, this is definitely how I'm looking at it. If I absolutely hate the weather, I'll figure out something else; as for now, this is a great opportunity - I just got my MBA and this could easily set me up for a lot of different opportunities in the future.

So would you say Chicago doesn't really have a spring season? (on average, I know the ENTIRE country had a mild winter this winter, so please don't use this year's weather to answer that) Is winter November - March or April?

It's not that we don't have spring... it's that spring weather is neurotic. We've had snow in April. This year it was in the 80s for much of the latter half of March. In fact this year, March was a lot warmer than April -- it's like they traded places. Yesterday it was 98 degrees (albeit the most comfortable 98 degrees I've ever experienced east of the Mississippi). By Thursday they're predicting a high in the 50s. That pretty much sums up spring in Chicago for you.

Originally Posted by ForYourLungsOnly

i swear people who talk about Chicago winters are living in some fairy tale Narnia. The winters ARE NOT THAT BAD. they are WINTERS. I have spent a ton of time and have lived in areas of similar latitude and geographic area as Chicago and the winters are EXTREMELY comparable. I am seriously blown away how Chicago's winters become such an enormous topic of discussion so often. Give it a rest.

You have lived in areas of similar lattitude and geograhic areas with comparable winters -- but the OP hasn't. You are acclimated to it -- the OP isn't. It may not be a big deal to you, but the OP explicitly stated that it is a big deal to him/her. Some of us are trying to give honest answers accordingly. Trying to tell someone who grew up in an area that never freezes and who can barely stand DC winters that Chicago winters are "NOT THAT BAD" does that person a disservice.

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by Fishtacos

Chicago is a great city with lots of opportunity. You won't regret taking the opportunity. If you go in with an open mind, good attitude, and with the understanding that you are there for opportunity and to advance your life, you'll do just fine. Give it a fair chance, and see what happens. As I stated, for many, the weather wears people down over time. It will be a novelty experience initially, then something you'll get used to, and then perhaps something you'll get sick of. By then you'll have a great experience in many ways and many new increased life options. And if for some reason you are miserable well before that, you leave, and you will still be better for the experience.

I think you nailed it. I spent 13 years in the Chi, but didn't immediately hate the winters. But eventually...