I have noticed that most of the questions and worries in most of the posts are asking about life here in the snow/cold.
The most normal questions are:
1) How much snow do you get?
2) How cold does it get?
3) How do you drive in snow?
4) Do you have to live close to your work place because of the winter?
5) How are the roads kept?
6) Can you still do outdoor activities?
7) What equipment/clothes do you need?
I thought it might be beneficial if we had a thread that addresses those questions and concerns. NOT a thread for bitching about weather and such, but one that is constructive and helpful for people who might have been away from cold and snow, or might never have been around it.
Here are my standard answers to the questions:
1) Amount of snow fall can vary greatly from year to year. I have seen years that have almost no snowfall (40" - 50" is all) to years that you have to wonder where to put it all from your driveway by January (this year is shaping up to be like that).
2) Again it varies greatly year to year. To me it always seems colder the years we don't get a lot of snow. Might just be a mental thing. This year has had some cold days, and this coming week looks like it has the potential to be the worse yet for the year. They are predicting -22 for Sunday night here.
3) Driving in snow is a learned activity. There is no way you can learn how to do it without actually getting out there and doing it. Sure it IS going to be nerve racking the first year, maybe the first few years for you, but, each and every driver on the roads with you started out the same way. For most of us it was the first winter we had a drivers license and we have did it for far too many years already so it looks easy to others. We were all nervous as we were learning also. Find a safe location like a parking lot and practice. Practice turning, stopping, try to skid sideways, steering out of the skid, quick lane changes (quick is a relative term, NOTHING on snow and especially ice should be "quick").
4) Live where it suits you and you like the area. The driving will come, don't let that be a deciding factor in choosing a home for you and your family. Take into consideration the same things you would where you are at NOW in regards to gas consumption, time willing to devote to getting there and back, but don't let the threat of snow make you chose a home that isn't what you want.
5) GREAT. Sure some people will say that the roads are not cleaned quick enough, or clear enough right away, but after living in many other areas that get snow, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that Maine, from East to West & top to bottom has the best snow removal I have ever seen. Name a snowy state in the lower 48 and I have spent time in the winter in it, and have been through a snow storm in it. NONE can claim truthfully to clear the roads and streets better than this one.
6) The winter opens up even more outdoor activities than you have in a state that does not get it. If this is a concern, then you must like being outside. There is a whole world of activities awaiting you all over the State of Maine in the winter. From Ice climbing to ice skating. Snowshoeing to snowmobiling. Ice fishing to ice sculpture. Snow angels and sledding are not just for the 10 and under crowd. Get out try new sports, and you will be a convert to winter. Sit cooped up in a house all winter and you will HATE the entire state in the first year.
7) Honestly, you are going to freeze the first year.
No joke, you are going to think you have lost your mind the first time you are scraping your windshield when it is below freezing and the wind is whipping. But after the first year, I PROMISE it is better. Buy the best outdoor cloths you can afford. LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS! those are the 3 most important things to remember. Even cheap stuff will keep you warm if you layer. The expensive stuff just makes it easier to move around without the bulk. Good boots, good socks. Warm feet can make a cold outing much easier to do. Cold feet will ruin an otherwise great day and time.
Hope it helps. Others will chime in and give their 2 cents as well. There is a myriad of things I left out, but those are the highlights and the most important in my opinion. Add your own, help still the fears and uncertainty of the winter in Maine, to those who are considering moving here.
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....until the same month...the day temperature was -7 degrees... I get home from work and the pipes in the downstairs utility room had frozen, burst, and water had filled the downstairs den, utility room and running out the garage door when I opened it. Oh well, this too shall pass!
