Winter questions (Milwaukee, Madison, Dane: real estate, how much, schools)

[foilgirl]

Hi,

I'm going to be relocating to WI (likely Madison) from CA next year. I'm a divorced mom with a dog and a 2 yr old who has lived her whole life in CA, except for one year in Milwaukee (where I met my now-ex husband). My son and my dog have never even seen snow, much less lived in it, and I'm trying to figure out a few things...

1) This is probably a dumb question, but do places like Milwaukee or Madison offer "snow driving" lessons? I've never driven in snow, and I'd like to keep my kids (furry and human) safe. Black ice seems especially scary to me. Oh, and is there anything special I'll need to do to "winterize" my car?

2) Is there anything I can do to help my son get used to the weather, or will he acclimate on his own? Can kids get SAD? How is that treated? Personally, I loved the Milwaukee winter, although I could've done with more snow (it was a mild winter, I'm told). I'm sure it'll be a shock for Alex, though.

3) I also understand that dogs' paws can get ripped up by the ice and salt. Is there any solution other than boots for him? I'm planning on the kid and I being as active as possible during the winter and I want my dog to come with. He's a Golden retriever, fwiw.

4) I feel really stupid now, but what exactly will my son and I need in terms of winter clothes? Neither of us is allergic to any fibers. Currently, I have a wool peacoat and my son has a snowsuit of his cousins' and an assortment of windbreakers and hoodies. He also has a winter hat and mittens he's never used.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Meghan

[dreamhunter65]

Meghan,
I sent a message with some answers. Welcome to WI.

[catfeathers]

1) ...but do places like Milwaukee or Madison offer "snow driving" lessons? I've never driven in snow, and I'd like to keep my kids (furry and human) safe. Black ice seems especially scary to me. Oh, and is there anything special I'll need to do to "winterize" my car?

Yes, there are courses and schools; black ice is only occasional, and it is scary for everyone! The key is to drive carefully and be alert.
check this out for winter needs for driving:
Safe winter driving tips - Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Winter Driving Preparation - Emergency Management - Government of Dane County, Wisconsin


2) Is there anything I can do to help my son get used to the weather, or will he acclimate on his own?

I think it helps to be here before winter sets in....and I don't know, but kids are so much more tolerant about things, I bet he'll love it!

3) I also understand that dogs' paws can get ripped up by the ice and salt. Is there any solution other than boots for him?

Dogs do just fine here in the winter...but leather booties do help when the snow is ice crusted. Or emu oil really helps my dog's paws...When it's really really cold, she only goes out long enough to 'do her thing'! Generally, they get used to the snow/cold pretty well. I'm sure you'll have to find a vet when you arrive, so this would be good questions for him/her.

4) I feel really stupid now, but what exactly will my son and I need in terms of winter clothes? Currently, I have a wool peacoat and my son has a snowsuit of his cousins' and an assortment of windbreakers and hoodies. He also has a winter hat and mittens he's never used.

I would say get yourself a longer, warmer coat, too. I have one from LL Bean and it is the best coat I've ever had for winter...warm and light weight. The peacoat or car coats are good for milder days. Boots for you both...fleece lined are wonderful; hats, mittens, gloves and a scarve, and I suggest getting your son a regular winter jacket (he won't always need a full snowsuit). Windbreakers and hoodies are good until sometime in November usually...then it gets to be 'jacket time' until March or April!

Best of luck to you!
(Madison is one of my favorite towns!)

[yo vanilla]

I'm not sure about any winter driving schools, but I can assure you most people I encounter on the road here could use a course or two! The most important thing about winter driving is to make sure your tires are up to the task. Tires are the only part of the car that touch the ground and should not be overlooked and they absolutely will make a difference in winter driving. Ideally you could get a separate set of snow tires, mounted on their own wheels, and switch them with your normal wheels/tires for the season. If not, make sure you have a really good all-season tire for year round duty; there are plenty of bad ones. About the best all-season for handling snow and ice is the Continental ContiExtremeContact or the ContiExtremeContact DWS. Look at tirerack.com for info.

Driving, keep it real slow and steady, allow for plenty of braking time and make gentle and not sudden inputs to your steering, accelerating, and braking. All the people in the ditch you pass drive too fast and have crappy tires. It's not a bad idea to keep a blanket and winter gear in the car either; two years ago Madison had a major traffic jam on the highway in a snowstorm; people had to leave their cars overnight and get hauled away by the National Guard.

Winterizing, nothing really to it. Tires, as stated, make sure your battery is strong (you can have a dealer or like Sears do it for free), your wipers are in good shape (maybe get the flat kind without the joints so they don't get all iced up), fill your washer reservior with cold-temp washer fluid (sold everywhere) and make sure your tires are full of air (check them a few times over winter, they'll lose pressure with changing temps)

For clothes, it depends how much time you'll spend outside. Get good, warm snow boots, gloves, thick socks, hat, scarf for shoveling snow and such. Snowpants aren't a bad idea for this wonderfull activity. You will be removing snow on the coldest, windiest days you can imagine. (We had two record snow years in a row just now, I hope this year is milder). For running about town a warm winter jacket with a hat and leather gloves is enough, you spend most of your time in the heated car or store anyway.

[adam76]

Way back when I used to work at a driving school. Every so often I would take a phone call from someone who would want an hour lesson in the snow. Most driving schools would provide this if you really wanted. That being said there's no special trick to it really. Use longer following distances and go easy on the turns and brakes. For some I think driving in snow is more of a mental thing; they psyche themselves out.

Interesting question regarding your two year old and SAD. I have two small children of my own and they get their cues from us. If we are in a bad mood, so are they. The most important thing about winter? GET OUTSIDE. I think kids are born to love snow and most of us lose our love of it as we become adults! The first sight of a red leaf on a tree has my 5 year old asking when it's going to start snowing again. Even if it's only for 20 minutes, GET OUTSIDE. For us the hardest part of the year is not the "dead" of winter. It's the sorry excuse for weather that we get in March and April is when my wife starts looking at real estate listings in Arizona.

As far as the car goes, I don't do anything special to the cars for winter. I make sure the tires and battery are OK, and fall is when I'll replace the wipers.

[foilgirl]

Hi,

Not much to add except a quick thank you for the replies! I'm definitely taking notes.

Thanks again,

Meghan

[jtur88]

Here's a suggestion. On the first wintry day, when the ground is snow-covered, get up early and go to an empty parking lot. Have fun. Zip around and see what your car does when it loses traction. See what it does when you try to control it or steer or stop it. In busy traffic is a terrible place to practice. There is no point paying somebody to sit in the seat next to you while you learn how your car handles in the snow and ice.

Snowbanks are not soft. Do not assume that you can skid into them without damaging your car.

[Hntr]

Just remember a Wisconsin winter jacket is not like a jacket in California. I move to Milwaukee from Texas in October, I brought my Texas "winter jacket". It just didn't do the trick! You need a parka or something similiar. I use my heavy winter coat when it gets below zero, otherwise I use a lined hoodie for most of the winter.

As far as shoes, I wear my tennis 90 percent of the time in winter. I wear my boots (sorels) when I shovel snow or if go for a walk where I'm going to have to walk in deep snow. My wife never wears winter boots, in fact she doesn't own a pair.

We've always had dogs and have never had any problem with their feet. Of course they were two samoyds and a pom. Just wipe their feet if they go where there is a lot of salt, otherwise no problems. And be careful what kind of de-icer or salt you use on your sidewalks and driveway.

[dreamhunter65]

Have to remember lighter oil in car and good anti-freeze.

[yo vanilla]

Originally Posted by dreamhunter65

Have to remember lighter oil in car and good anti-freeze.

that's true if you're driving an old beast with 10w40 in it. Should clarify though, that most modern cars call for the same lighter weight grade oil year-round i.e. 5w20 5w30 which is plenty fine for year round use.

Also by "good" coolant/antifreeze, it means fresh, within it's proper life cycle and a 50/50 mix of water/antifreeze. As in you don't change it seasonally, just keep up on proper car maintenance