[kimba01]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

6 months of winter? Maybe in the U.P., but in most of lower MI, winter lasts from late November - March, only about 4 1/4 months of winter. I LOVE winter!

Towards the end of winter, it can feel like it has been six months!

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by khfar

I would LOVE to be in a warmer climate, which would definitely suit us better. Thanks for the offer for me to leave. Unfortunately, we are stuck here for a few years, because of my husband's job. We do try to make the best of it and play in the snow, but as born and raised Texans, I don't think we'll ever "get used to it", or enjoy 6 months of winter. Just as you wouldn't enjoy 6 months of summer.

Don't always assume that people live here willingly.

I agree with you. Although I have lived in MI for over 40 years (SE mostly), I never really cared for winter. Don't get me wrong, it is pretty enough and I love it at Christmas, but the bundling up, the ugliness of it a couple hours after a new snowfall, the wind, the ice, the grayness, the moods of people, all has a negative effect on me.

I did play in it, I have tobagganed, sledded, ice skated, went to many ice festivals, ice fished...I still did not really care for it.

I am now in NV, only have been here 3 weeks, because of my husbands transfer and although you are in AC for a couple months, you still see the sun, go swimming, and wear flipflops, shorts and light shirts!! Morning and evening are gorgeous. It may get old due to the fact that home is MI to me, but I am enjoying for now.

Plus, for the first time in over 40 years I am experiencing something different in this great country we live in!

Good luck to you!!

[khfar]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

you dont even get close to 6 months of winter in your area, just sayin'

Now, 6 months of a Michigan summer is pretty tempting....but you are right, I would not enjoy a brown, hot Texas summer.

To each his own, but, you have to embrace where you are.

I've embraced it just fine. And honestly, to someone who is from the south, yes, there ARE 6 months of winter here. Even in SE Michigan. It did snow here in April. It didn't even remotely warm up until mid to end of May. It's all in what you are used to.

I understand that you love, love, love where you live. It just gets old that you think everyone has to. There are, for me, pros AND cons to living in Michigan. After the first month or two, winter is definitely a CON, for me. Fall is most definitely a PRO.

I can and have embraced where I am quite well, thank you. But that doesn't mean I have to go ape s#it over winter. After the first couple of months, I hate it.

[khfar]

the bundling up, the ugliness of it a couple hours after a new snowfall, the wind, the ice, the grayness, the moods of people, all has a negative effect on me.

I did play in it, I have tobagganed, sledded, ice skated, went to many ice festivals, ice fished...I still did not really care for it.

THIS is my point exactly. Thank you! We go to tobaggan runs, we sled, we take advantage of what we have, since we won't be here forever. But after a few months? Ugh. I dream of a blue sky and GRASS.

[flyingwriter]

Originally Posted by khfar

I've embraced it just fine. And honestly, to someone who is from the south, yes, there ARE 6 months of winter here. Even in SE Michigan. It did snow here in April. It didn't even remotely warm up until mid to end of May. It's all in what you are used to.

I understand that you love, love, love where you live. It just gets old that you think everyone has to. There are, for me, pros AND cons to living in Michigan. After the first month or two, winter is definitely a CON, for me. Fall is most definitely a PRO.

I can and have embraced where I am quite well, thank you. But that doesn't mean I have to go ape s#it over winter. After the first couple of months, I hate it.

That's perfectly fine, of course you have the right to feel that way.

Also, I know that southerners think that anything under 70 degrees is cold, so I can understand why you think there are 6 months of winter.

I will just say I would much rather take a Michigan winter than a Texas summer. I couldn't imagine living somewhere with 100+ heat and crushing humidity for 5 months out of the year, but, to each his own.

[MittenDweller82]

Many people have seasonal depression disorder.........I never used to become depressed during the winter, but the last few winters once the gray sky sets in its certainly challenging, especially since I rely on outdoor activities every day during the summer. So not everybody is a wimp, some people actually do have a reason to hate winter.

[Coldjensens]

SAD is bad. I fight it by going outside every time we have a sunny day in the winter. I try to drop what I am doind and get outside for at elast a few hours.

We have an exchange student living with us while visiting from Taiwan. She is always cold. When it gets down to 80, she puts on a coat. I feel sorry for her this winter. She will need a lot of coats and blankets.

[khfar]

Originally Posted by kazoopilot

That's perfectly fine, of course you have the right to feel that way.

Also, I know that southerners think that anything under 70 degrees is cold, so I can understand why you think there are 6 months of winter.

I will just say I would much rather take a Michigan winter than a Texas summer. I couldn't imagine living somewhere with 100+ heat and crushing humidity for 5 months out of the year, but, to each his own.

No, that's not necessarily true. I think that 50s and 60s are more spring-like temperatures, and I welcome them. However, the highs in April and May were MAYBE getting into the 50s. And I'm sorry, but to most people, if it's still snowing...it's winter. If you think that snow in April is spring - hey - more power to you!

[khfar]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

SAD is bad. I fight it by going outside every time we have a sunny day in the winter. I try to drop what I am doind and get outside for at elast a few hours.

We have an exchange student living with us while visiting from Taiwan. She is always cold. When it gets down to 80, she puts on a coat. I feel sorry for her this winter. She will need a lot of coats and blankets.

I heard so much about SAD, that it freaked me out! I agree with you, about getting out. I made sure last winter (my first winter up here) to get out of the house EVERY day, no matter what. Even if it was just a 30 minute trip to Starbucks or something. I think it definitely helps to get out, get around, and not sit inside a dark house and mope all day.

[Stephanie P]

Originally Posted by khfar

I've embraced it just fine. And honestly, to someone who is from the south, yes, there ARE 6 months of winter here. Even in SE Michigan. It did snow here in April. It didn't even remotely warm up until mid to end of May. It's all in what you are used to.

I understand that you love, love, love where you live. It just gets old that you think everyone has to. There are, for me, pros AND cons to living in Michigan. After the first month or two, winter is definitely a CON, for me. Fall is most definitely a PRO.

I can and have embraced where I am quite well, thank you. But that doesn't mean I have to go ape s#it over winter. After the first couple of months, I hate it.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you. As a fellow Texan, born and raised, I fell in love with Michigan when I lived there, especially the winter! I have been back in Texas for 5 years (Houston) and I hate it! The heat and humidity during the summer is awful; talk about being trapped indoors in the A/C. There are no seasons, no winter, just heat - for most of the year. Personally, I cannot wait to get the heck out of Texas and move back up north. I know you feel the opposite, as many Texans would.
I hope you get to come back home soon; maybe I'll pass you on my way up north!