So I finally moved to Iowa... (Cedar Rapids, Iowa City: live in, safe, friendly)

[Setchel]

And I LOVE IT!

I've got no specific names, but I really appreciate everyone who suggested Iowa and especially Linn County. The place is beautiful, greenery is green, the people are very friendly, drivers aren't insane on the roadways (for the most part), there are events going on everywhere, and you really feel connected to the community. Not to mention I feel completely safe here.

And yes, I've heard the "December will change your mind" line. And if I start to waver then, I'll remember that in the summer time, it's about 30 degrees cooler than where I'm from and I handle cold far better than heat. I think I'll do fine then. I heard someone mention the weather keeps the crazy people out, and I'm not all that crazy!

[Vitae]

December usually isn't too bad, relatively. Sometimes there isn't even snow on the ground until late December. Late January/early February are the worst parts of winter in terms of extreme cold and snow accumulation. Personally I find a lot to do during that time of year. Snowmobiling, ice fishing, hunting, playing in the snow if you have kids, skiing/snowboarding, etc. I feel extreme cold is more tolerable than extreme heat. Get the right clothing and you can be comfortable in anything, but I could run around nude on a 100 degree day and still be too hot.

[SJbust]

Originally Posted by Setchel

And I LOVE IT!

I've got no specific names, but I really appreciate everyone who suggested Iowa and especially Linn County. The place is beautiful, greenery is green, the people are very friendly, drivers aren't insane on the roadways (for the most part), there are events going on everywhere, and you really feel connected to the community. Not to mention I feel completely safe here.

And yes, I've heard the "December will change your mind" line. And if I start to waver then, I'll remember that in the summer time, it's about 30 degrees cooler than where I'm from and I handle cold far better than heat. I think I'll do fine then. I heard someone mention the weather keeps the crazy people out, and I'm not all that crazy!

I'm so happy for you! It makes me excited to plan my visits. I have a feeling the winters would not compare to what I've experienced in Chicago.

[SJbust]

Originally Posted by Vitae

December usually isn't too bad, relatively. Sometimes there isn't even snow on the ground until late December. Late January/early February are the worst parts of winter in terms of extreme cold and snow accumulation. Personally I find a lot to do during that time of year. Snowmobiling, ice fishing, hunting, playing in the snow if you have kids, skiing/snowboarding, etc. I feel extreme cold is more tolerable than extreme heat. Get the right clothing and you can be comfortable in anything, but I could run around nude on a 100 degree day and still be too hot.

My question is does the chill stay in the air long past February? My biggest complaint about Chicago is getting snow in April, and still feeling frost in May sometimes!

[smpliving]

Originally Posted by SJbust

My question is does the chill stay in the air long past February? My biggest complaint about Chicago is getting snow in April, and still feeling frost in May sometimes!

I live in Cedar Rapids and commute to Iowa City daily. We pretty much have the same thing here but snow in April is more of a rare occurrence. Frost can linger into May on some mornings. This past March/April/May, we would get a few days of cold and then it quickly changed to warm. The weather just seems so unpredictable. I'm not so sure it would be much of a change from Chicago. What I like here is that even during the winter we get sunny days, which helps.

[smpliving]

Originally Posted by Setchel

And I LOVE IT!

I've got no specific names, but I really appreciate everyone who suggested Iowa and especially Linn County. The place is beautiful, greenery is green, the people are very friendly, drivers aren't insane on the roadways (for the most part), there are events going on everywhere, and you really feel connected to the community. Not to mention I feel completely safe here.

And yes, I've heard the "December will change your mind" line. And if I start to waver then, I'll remember that in the summer time, it's about 30 degrees cooler than where I'm from and I handle cold far better than heat. I think I'll do fine then. I heard someone mention the weather keeps the crazy people out, and I'm not all that crazy!

Welcome to Linn County and glad you like it so far! I'm a California transplant, going on 22 years, and can relate to what you wrote. It definitely is a lot greener here than Bakersfield. When the snow starts melting and the trees are leafless here it may remind you more of home. I came in March and initially though the area went through a brush fire

Good luck on your adventure!

[Dewey59]

Originally Posted by rigizug

I live in Cedar Rapids and commute to Iowa City daily. We pretty much have the same thing here but snow in April is more of a rare occurrence. Frost can linger into May on some mornings. This past March/April/May, we would get a few days of cold and then it quickly changed to warm. The weather just seems so unpredictable. I'm not so sure it would be much of a change from Chicago. What I like here is that even during the winter we get sunny days, which helps.

One of the things weather-wise that I liked about CR was that there is very little wind relatively speaking. Seemed like the fall was the windiest time of year, but even that wasn't bad. Very few times that I can remember that I had to hang on to my hat or cursed the wind (unlike MOST of the time when I lived in North Dakota!).

[Vitae]

Originally Posted by SJbust

My question is does the chill stay in the air long past February? My biggest complaint about Chicago is getting snow in April, and still feeling frost in May sometimes!

Depends on the day. March and April you will experience a wide range of weather. I can recall 70 degree days in march and snow in april.