Living in the South (Cana: home, neighborhood, closing)

[mimberly]

My husband was offered several jobs and some were in Southern states. We ended up taking one in a State very much like the state we now live in Michigan. I was wondering from those that left states like Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin or other colder 4 season states how did you adjust to the changes in the South. I have read about the bugs in the Southern states that really would bother me as I'm sure 80 inches of snow may be a difference for those in Southern states. I really would like to live in a Southern area but I'm not sure if I would adjust to the changees. I would like to hear from those that did move to those areas how that was for you and your families.

[Sunset_Va]

I can't answer all of your questions, since I have not lived in Michigan.

Most of Virginia is free from hordes of mosquitos, they are here, but not like in Canada and Alaska. We do have ticks of several varieties, deer/brown, which have really become a nuisance as of lately. (the ticks).

Another thing to put in perspective is our "bug" season is longer too. Many times I have seen the "varmints" making an appearance late in the fall, or late winter.

I used to love the summers, but fighting bugs , weeks of +90 weather, and humidity, thinking I could put up with snow.

[PaperTrail]

I moved to Virginia from South Bend, Ind., so I was about as close to being in Michigan as one could get without actually living there.

Coming from where I did and growing up in a primarily wooded neighborhood, I actually haven't noticed there to be more bugs down here than in my native city. Sunset_Va made a good point, though, that the bug season is significantly longer here, so while the quantity may not be worse, the duration is.

Aside from the bugs, I haven't adjusted as well as I would have hoped to the warmer climate here. Notably, last summer's long string of 98+ degree days took its toll on me. I've lived in Virginia for almost four years now, and I have a long way to go before I can work in the mid-Atlantic sun and enjoy it. I miss the cold weather and the snow, but I can tell you with a straight face that I am well in the minority on that front.

Most people who move from northern, colder areas typically are quick to embrace the Virginia weather -- and its accompanying insect life

[Rhett_Butler]

Yeah, moved to VA from Northern Illinois and the mosquitos were FAR worse there than they are here. Ticks are yucky, but aren't a major problem unless you have an outdoor pet or roll around in tall grass yourself or something...

We do get NASTY streaks of very hot weather in the summer, but they end and there are some really perfect summer days as well... I like the variation. We get enough snow (well, not this year, but...) to keep life interesting, fall is beautiful.

What I really miss about the midwest is the nice, black dirt. We have this red clay that, once it gets on your clothes, forget it... Oh well, it beats the sand and fire ants I had to put up with in Florida, so I'm cool...

[Mr_Jonas]

The summers are very, very hot (and I personally find that a bit problematic).
I have also realized I handle cold much better then really hot and humid weather. I also do miss the snow a lot.
I have no idea what kind of community you live in up there so it is hard to give suggestions.

There are yet many other aspects of life down here that should be take into consideration then just the weather.

[j1n]

I agree with you snow-missers!
And yeah...there was a stretch last summer that was brutally hot!
The ticks have hit here already...pulled 4 off of our kids last weekend.

[Fairfax Mom]

I miss having a good foot of snow - and it can get hot, hot, hot here in VA

[seanpecor]

You can always make a trip up North during the winter and get your snow fix As for me, I spent 26 years in Vermont and I've had my fill of 5 months straight of snow and ice covered landscapes. I also do not miss salty, slushy and dirty roads, or the cabin fever during weeks of sub zero temperatures.

We spent a week visiting family in Vermont last Christmas and I had forgotten how messy and nasty rock salt is. By day 4 our entire truck from top to bottom was covered, absolutely covered, in rock salt and gray sand. It made its way into the truck in large quantities, and in home entrances, etc.

Snow, freshly fallen, is gorgeous and romanticized by many. But then, you've got walks to shovel and roads to plow at 7am and 6pm. And then your kids spend 10 minutes suiting up for recess, and 10 minutes unsuiting, leaving about 15 minutes to play outside And then there is the 10 gallons of windshield washer fluid you'll burn through. And the 300+ gallons of fuel oil that you'll burn through to keep warm. And the dangerous roads, the black ice, the snow plows trashing your mail box. And frozen water pipes. Oh yes, and if you own a dog out in the country and you let them roam freely in your 2-3 acre yard, there is the not so small matter of 5 months worth of their accumulated "business" that is unleashed ALL AT ONCE during spring thaw. Oh, I could go on and on. Instead, I'll go back to planning my garden plantings for this weekend. You know, the plantings that would still be a month away if I still lived in Vermont


Sean

[seanpecor]

I finished the post above rather abruptly to go and catch the American Idol results, and I noticed I accidentally deleted my closing paragraph. I wanted to close with saying that I also miss the snow once in a blue moon during the winter When that gave me cause to think about moving back north, contemplating all of the hassles that go along with cold winters keeps me planted right where I am!

Sean

[Mr_Jonas]

I am gearing up for a scorching hot, humid and depressing summer…………
I guess that is one of many reasons I’ll sadly never bee able to call Virginia home…