Driving in the snow?? Moving to MN? need snow advice!! (Minneapolis: apartment, to rent)

[Melina635]

Hi... we are thinking of moving there, but my husband is nervous about us driving over snow and ice, especially with our baby in the car. We are coming from a non-snow area, so it will be new. If any one can give us some insight on snow transportation and living in MN, or answer these questions, I'd really appreciate it! My family that I want to be close to, lives in Mankato. From what we've seen the job market there is non existent. So we would probably live in St. Paul or Minneapolis, or somewhere in between. What is the drive like from Mankato to St. Paul or Minnesapolis? Is it something doable during the snowy seasons? Are there tons of accidents? Do employers give you days off often b/c of it, and are they paid days? If the drive from Mankato to St. Paul/Minne is too long, are there towns in between with good houseing/schools blah, blah, all the basic good stuff. My husband is a chef, and I am an artist. Our son is 1.
We are looking to rent first, and then buy a house around $100,000 or less.
thank you everyone!!

[fromupthere]

Can't give you specifics about the area you are looking at, but driving in the snow just takes getting used to and you need to be smart about it. You of course don't want to go racing through it and you also don't want to be creeping along - in both cases, you could easily cause an accident. Sometimes there are lots of accidents and sometimes few or none. With some storms, some businesses will close but how bad weather is treated is likely different from company to company.

As far as jobs and the job market, it might help people out some more if you gave an idea of what type of jobs you would be looking at.

Good luck!

[kuan]

There are more accidents in the summer than in the winter. I just heard it on the news.

Go slow, stay 6 seconds behind the car in front of you. Let off the gas when you feel like you're losing control and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go.

We all have to relearn how to drive in the snow come the first big snow. You're not alone. Some people never learn.

[fromupthere]

There are people here who can't drive in the rain let alone the snow. Years ago we had an apartment with a view of the highway. For entertainment sometimes with snow and rain, I'd watch people trying to drive.

[SassyBelle]

Quite honestly, winter driving isn't so bad. Most of the time, roads are dry, except during and right after the storm. Plows are usually pretty good about snow removal. They also sprinkle chemicals that prevent roads from icing up. We do not many ice storms. Overall, you'd probably enjoy living here.

[NumberPlate]

Originally Posted by fromupthere

There are people here who can't drive in the rain let alone the snow.

I love it. Last week when it was storm and rainy I was on road and I cant even see bit outside. I was scared to death. Anyways I pulled over and managed.

As far as snow driving, if you are really concerned about it, I know there are some places who teaches and give you couple of classes on how to drive on snow. Some senior citizens takes that class I know. I do not know the specifics. Me myself is looking for that info.

I think every winter we all have to refresh our driving habits to snow. Generally first few days after snowing I see many cars skidding, not stopping on lights etc., Some people adjust to winter driving quickly and some takes few days to weeks to adjust. But eventually you will get used to it until you are not scared about it. Just try to make up your mind.

[judlee]

Some basic winter driving safety tips on Minnesota's roads and highways include:

Be aware of the local winter forecast. Winter weather predictions don't always come true---thankfully--however do stay informed and plan accordingly.

Make sure that your vehicle is well maintained and properly equipped. Check all fluid levels of your vehicle, especially the washer fluid and anti-freeze.

Have your tires inspected and properly inflated.

Equip your vehicle with a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets.

Completely clear your vehicle of snow and ice prior to driving. Clearing your vehicle of snow and ice provides an unobstructed view for the driver and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road.

Reduce your speed. None of the other winter driving safety tips are of any use if we are driving too fast for the weather conditions. Driving too fast on snowy or icy roads is the primary cause of most Minnesota winter weather related crashes.

Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Under the best of driving conditions you need to leave at least one car length between you and the vehicle ahead. On snow and ice, you need much more room to safely respond or bring your car to a stop.

Call 911 if you have an emergency of any kind. Always be aware of the highway you are traveling and the most recent exit you passed. In the Twin Cities area there are "highway helper" trucks on the alert for drivers in trouble. They sometimes will get to you even before the highway patrol has a chance to respond to your breakdown or other emergency.

[usafracer]

Slow down slow down and um slow down. Dont come flying up to stop signs and expect to be able to stop. If you have 4x4 dont think that you can drive as fast as you want just because. If you have anti lock brakes DONT pump them. Stutds in tires are not allowed in MN but I would still look at getting a set of winter tires.

[dancinqueen]

Others here have given you good answers to your question about driving on snow & ice. Re: driving from Mankato - it's quite a drive, not one I would want to make, even a couple days a week & especially not in bad weather. If you'll be working in the Twin Cities, you'll probably want to live there, or more likely, in one of the suburbs.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by judlee

Some basic winter driving safety tips on Minnesota's roads and highways include:

Be aware of the local winter forecast. Winter weather predictions don't always come true---thankfully--however do stay informed and plan accordingly.

Make sure that your vehicle is well maintained and properly equipped. Check all fluid levels of your vehicle, especially the washer fluid and anti-freeze.

Have your tires inspected and properly inflated.

Equip your vehicle with a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets.

Completely clear your vehicle of snow and ice prior to driving. Clearing your vehicle of snow and ice provides an unobstructed view for the driver and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road.

Reduce your speed. None of the other winter driving safety tips are of any use if we are driving too fast for the weather conditions. Driving too fast on snowy or icy roads is the primary cause of most Minnesota winter weather related crashes.

Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Under the best of driving conditions you need to leave at least one car length between you and the vehicle ahead. On snow and ice, you need much more room to safely respond or bring your car to a stop.

Call 911 if you have an emergency of any kind. Always be aware of the highway you are traveling and the most recent exit you passed. In the Twin Cities area there are "highway helper" trucks on the alert for drivers in trouble. They sometimes will get to you even before the highway patrol has a chance to respond to your breakdown or other emergency.

And I will add:

-You want a vehicle that has front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Rear-wheel can be ok if you are skilled, but even then it can be a pain in the a$$ and dangerous. Don't even bother with 4x4.

-Do not use a plastic ice-scraper on anything but your windows unless you want to scratch up your paint job (you may not realize it until the end of winter. Like I did )

-Do not use hot water to de-ice your windshield. I never thought that people actually did this, but it apparently happens a few times a year.

-All-season or all-weather tires are fine; you do not need to get winter tires unless you want to too.

-Invest in a good heavy-duty battery if you are going to park on the street. Cold weather can drain your battery pretty quick. However, if you park in a garage, whether it is heated or not (as long as there is no wind) you will be fine with a regular battery.

-Not sure where the OP is coming from, but snow chains are illegal around here.