Moving to Maine during the winter...... (Burlington: roofing, car, deal)

[7th generation]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

I know it's going to take a couple of years for our bodies to adjust to the drastic temp changes we're going to experience.

El, maybe there will be an adjustment curve for the parents, but I guarantee once those youngins' look outside at the lovely sight of snow falling, you will physically have to block the door to make sure they are "properly" dressed!

[AlisonL]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

Being in Fire/EMS services, his exposure is always a crap-shoot. There may be days when he's inside and never makes a call. Then, there are those times when he's standing in a ditch full of water on the side of the road in the middle of the night, dragging someone out of a flipped car.......or trudging through thick brush to find some hunter who accidentally shot himself in the foot. Some incident scenes can have him standing out in the worst of elements for hours on end with no shelter or break to take cover.

Now, I'm guessing that his employers will have specialized equipment for the most part, but they still wear "street clothes" underneath some of their gear. So.........just thinking ahead - as usual!

Well its doubtful going on a rescue call that he will have time to stop and put on longjohns, unless he wears them under his streetclothes. My husband was a firefighter and rescue worker for years. They have specialized gear for some, but ambulance workers don't get the same turnout gear as fire fighters do.
BTW, won't find too many ditches full of water in the winter in Maine.

[Elcarim]

No, the EMS crew doesn't have any weather wear available to them. The fire gear is enough to withstand the coldest, sharpest wind, I'd imagine!

Now, would you suggest we change out to snow tires before we head up, since we'll be driving through winter conditions throughout the northeast? We were wondering if we can even find snow tires here without special ordering them. We also wonder if we'll pay a higher price than we would if we buy them up there. Also, do they go on special toward the end of the season like clothing?

I realize how naive my questions probably are, but bear with me!

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

...

Now, would you suggest we change out to snow tires before we head up, since we'll be driving through winter conditions throughout the northeast? We were wondering if we can even find snow tires here without special ordering them. We also wonder if we'll pay a higher price than we would if we buy them up there. Also, do they go on special toward the end of the season like clothing?

I realize how naive my questions probably are, but bear with me!

No.

If you find that you 'need' snow tires, then get them.

To drive snow tires year around wears them out faster.

Snow tires have softer rubber made to stay soft in colder temps, softer rubber wears faster.

A better option is often studded tires. But studs are only legal in the winter.

We have found that in our area, the roads are usually good. Buying new 'year-round' tires, has been great for us. Providing us with enough traction.

If you drive off the road into a foot of fresh loose powder, you will be stuck. Only someone else whose vehicle is still on the pavement will be able to yank you loose again. It does not matter what kind of tires you have. Once your vehicle is high-centered in the snow you may need help.

If you drive on black ice, only studs will help. No snow tire can help during black ice. None of them.

So long as you stay on the pavement, regular new tires should be fine.

[mollysmiles]

El, buy snow tires when you get here. You've never driven in the snow and ice and that simple investment could save your life or the life of someone else. It's worth it.

[Elcarim]

I guess when I'm actually IN Maine freezing my ass off, this battle between fashion and function will work itself out in my mind! The only reason to buy a coat in Texas is that it's just too cute to pass up. I find way too many of THOSE kinds of bargains!

But a suede/shearling lined vest WOULD get some use, right? And how about a car length, 100% lambswool hooded pea coat? That one is really nice, and I think I can get it for $35.

[Elcarim]

Does this look like a thick enough down filled jacket to do any good?

NOTE TO SELF: Matching handbag NOT a requirement for grocery shopping in Maine!

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

I guess when I'm actually IN Maine freezing my ass off, this battle between fashion and function will work itself out in my mind! The only reason to buy a coat in Texas is that it's just too cute to pass up. I find way too many of THOSE kinds of bargains!

But a suede/shearling lined vest WOULD get some use, right? And how about a car length, 100% lambswool hooded pea coat? That one is really nice, and I think I can get it for $35.

Heck if you don't want that coat I'll buy it from ya! Would be a great "city coat" for when we go to town...

[Elcarim]

I've been Ebaying to find myself a winter coat that fits right. Last year's is too big! I need something, so I'm going for something I can still wear when we get there. My clothes are long term investments, so I want to make smart purchases. Not so much for the kids who outgrow everything from year to year.

I just got this brand new coat for $32.52! I found it in the catalog (same pic and all) for $139 retail. I think that's a good deal, and I know wool will be very warm.

I'd still like the cutie patootie white down jacket, and I'll buy it if I can get a good deal on it. The nicer wool coat won't do much good for geocaching and hiking around the woods in the snow, so I need something more casual. I just hope it's long enough to keep most of my bits and pieces warm enough!

[txmom]

I personally like a coat that covers my butt. The jackets in the pictures are pretty cute, though.

One of the reasons I like a long coat is that on a lazy Saturday, I can just throw it on over my velour sweatshirt and pants, pull on my boots and be very cozy as I run to Hannaford to rent a movie from the Redbox. Last winter, there was one woman in the Redbox line that took indoor/outdoor casual to a whole new level - she had slippers with a rubber sole that she apparently wore everywhere