Oh Lord!! We are moving to Dubuque, Iowa! (Des Moines, Colo: ski resort, salary)

[angela15517]

Ive only been here a year, and already, I am moving back west! Aside from the bone chilling cold, the snow really piles up!! There were days it would rain, but it was so cold out, the rain turned into ice, and everything was like an ice skating rink! EVERYTHING! You couldnt even walk to your car unless you took baby steps the whole way! IT IS EFFING COLD HERE!!

[geekduo]

Some of us actually love it when the snow piles up. Then we can do all kinds of fun things outside like skiing(cross country or downhill), sledding, snowmobiling and ice skating. Not to mention the kids build lots of snowmen and snow forts. The bluffs make for some great terrain for some of these. Just dress and layers and warm up with something hot to drink when you get back inside!

[culater88]

I spent last winter in Dubuque and it was cold, get used to sun zero temperature for an extended period. One day it was actually -40 degrees. Other than that, it's a fun town, casinos and Galena within a 45 mins drive.

[original786]

lol.. so im moving to dubuque from
Atlanta, Georgia..for a year though got a project up at IBM

born and raised in the south, been to every city almost
but never step foot in IOWA
first tiem for everything i guess

wish me luck

[chicagogirl5]

Just loving all these messages about Dubuque! My family is also relocating and I am from Chicago, so the winters.... no problem. Good luck Georgiagirl! It is only a few months anyway and then the weather is great! Kids LOVE the snow, just get the right clothes and you'll be fine. Lived in GA for a while and loved it! Summer was HOT! Good luck!

[Chicago60614]

Take the views of people moving here from down south with a grain of salt though. There are days when it snows a lot, ice forms, and it is sunny less often in the winter.

That said though - it's a handful of days for the winter storms - not like weeks on end. Ice storms are actually quite rare this far north, much more rare than anywhere down south. There was a very bad one in Iowa a few years ago though.

It's never been -40 in Dubuque, and the wind chill very very rarely gets that cold. Don't worry about sub-zero temps all winter long. That's usually a wave that passes through and sends temps below zero a few times a year for a few days at a time.

Average highs for November-March are between 27 and 45 degrees. There are bright spots though where it can even get up to the 60's in the middle of winter for a day or two. That does amazing things for your mentality if you're a cold-hater. Not trying to downplay winter, it IS bad, but some people get a doom and gloom perspective that starts running away from reality.

Try to have a positive light and go with the flow. People run into trouble and get angry when all they think about is how they want warm temperatures all the time. I don't LOVE the cold, but it's not like it's some huge surprise or anything. You just run with it and have fun. I always love winter, especialy snowstorms. There are only about 8-10 days a year I really get upset at the cold when it's like 0 degrees for a high. Otherwise anything 20 or above is very easily doable with a hat and a coat.

[proveick]

Buy a boat, there is great boating on the Mississippi. There are some nice marinas in town as well. Lots of great beaches and going through the lock and dams is great experience. RP

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

Take the views of people moving here from down south with a grain of salt though. There are days when it snows a lot, ice forms, and it is sunny less often in the winter.

That said though - it's a handful of days for the winter storms - not like weeks on end. Ice storms are actually quite rare this far north, much more rare than anywhere down south. There was a very bad one in Iowa a few years ago though.

It's never been -40 in Dubuque, and the wind chill very very rarely gets that cold. Don't worry about sub-zero temps all winter long. That's usually a wave that passes through and sends temps below zero a few times a year for a few days at a time.

Average highs for November-March are between 27 and 45 degrees. There are bright spots though where it can even get up to the 60's in the middle of winter for a day or two. That does amazing things for your mentality if you're a cold-hater. Not trying to downplay winter, it IS bad, but some people get a doom and gloom perspective that starts running away from reality.

Try to have a positive light and go with the flow. People run into trouble and get angry when all they think about is how they want warm temperatures all the time. I don't LOVE the cold, but it's not like it's some huge surprise or anything. You just run with it and have fun. I always love winter, especialy snowstorms. There are only about 8-10 days a year I really get upset at the cold when it's like 0 degrees for a high. Otherwise anything 20 or above is very easily doable with a hat and a coat.

No matter how you slice it, winters in Iowa are long and dreary.

Jasper

[tijlover]

Never overlook the location of a city, as you're going to get bored living in any city.

Let's see: it's not that far to Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago or the Twin Cities for escape hatches.

I lived in Minneapolis for 21 years. Bored with my environment, where or where to go for a long weekend?

Driving to Milwaukee or Chicago ate up too much of the weekend. Winnipeg?
Even furthur! Des Moines, which I always enjoyed, a bit closer but still a good 5 hour drive.

Denver is in the same unenviable position. You really better love these cities 7/24/52 weeks a year.

Yes, yes, yes, the weather, but don't overlook the location factor.

[chicagogirl5]

OMG people, it's not that cold! Anyplace can be great if you just let it!