[tkln]

I've only been here full time through one winter, but I have to say, the gray here doesn't bother me nearly as much as the gray in NY did. Even though there's not a ton of sun, the snow keeps things very bright most of the time...in NYC, it's just blech lol.

[Wildflower Summer]

Originally Posted by vter

The Burlington area or Middlebury have lots going on year round due to the colleges. Sports events, lectures, galleries, etc.
What type of engineering work are you looking for? Civil? Environmental? Electrical? Software?
For me its not so much the cold that bothers me in winter - you gotta know how to dress. Getting out to ski (I downhill) or ice skate keeps me busy. Its the lack of sun that bothers me most. Its very gray here in the winter. Not a whole heck of a lot of sun and short days. Thats why we always head south (FL) for a week or 2 during the winter!

I remember some very gray days (sometimes weeks!) in NY. I get out a lot more now with the kids, so maybe the cumulative sunshine will help keep the blues away. When we first left NY, I kept complaining to my husband that it was just too damn bright all the time. Where were the overcast days I had come to love? Now I'm something of a sunshine junkie...

[Wildflower Summer]

Originally Posted by tkln

I've only been here full time through one winter, but I have to say, the gray here doesn't bother me nearly as much as the gray in NY did. Even though there's not a ton of sun, the snow keeps things very bright most of the time...in NYC, it's just blech lol.

TKLN, I agree that the snow (coupled with the beautiful landscape!) could serve to brighten up the winter days (as well as my mood!) considerably. We don't get much snow in Virginia--I'd forgotten how beautiful it can be. Thanks for the reminder!

[looking4home]

If you don't mind saying, in what part of Virginia do you live? I understand there are climate variations there, even though it isn't a very large state.

[Wildflower Summer]

Originally Posted by looking4home

If you don't mind saying, in what part of Virginia do you live? I understand there are climate variations there, even though it isn't a very large state.

From what I understand, the climate does vary depending on whether you're in the northern, southern or western (mountainous) part of the state. We're in the southeastern part near the coast (almost on the NC border). Doesn't get much warmer or sunnier in VA than here--I kind of love it.

[momnh]

I only moved from southern NH to the Burlington area so the weather difference wasn't much but this is what we've enjoyed: Burlington has much less "wet snow", freezing rain and ice. It's north enough to get the good dry stuff. That makes a huge difference in enjoying winter. The other is that people are still outdoors all.the.time. There is no big indoor place to take the kids or to hide from winter. So people here just learn how to dress for it and carry on with their lives. I was stunned when I first saw Church St in winter - still active with lots of walkers and shoppers on a cold gray day. And lastly, there is a lot going on here, way more than what's normal for a city of 40k people.

[Wildflower Summer]

Originally Posted by momnh

I only moved from southern NH to the Burlington area so the weather difference wasn't much but this is what we've enjoyed: Burlington has much less "wet snow", freezing rain and ice. It's north enough to get the good dry stuff. That makes a huge difference in enjoying winter. The other is that people are still outdoors all.the.time. There is no big indoor place to take the kids or to hide from winter. So people here just learn how to dress for it and carry on with their lives. I was stunned when I first saw Church St in winter - still active with lots of walkers and shoppers on a cold gray day. And lastly, there is a lot going on here, way more than what's normal for a city of 40k people.

See, that's another thing--back when we lived in NY, I was a babe. I wore this little wool coat and cutsie beret thing and couldn't figure out why I was so cold. Now, it gets below forty, and I bundle up in my long down coat, hat, the works. With my nature-boy husband, I have to be ready for an outdoor adventure at anytime.