https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 11:47:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1894068 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 15:39:31 +0000 Cherrybee 1894068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: We call that hail-stones! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1894042 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 15:11:53 +0000 Shutterbug 1894042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: ugggh your description of February is spot-on, and I'm not looking forward to it! We seriously had snowbanks taller than me at the end of our driveway this past winter :bummed: </p> <p>Snow gets less exciting after the first snow. Although since I have a job where I can telecommute, I'm always rooting for 20"+ storms :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893983 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:49:47 +0000 ShootingStar 1893983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Ah, around here what we call sleet is already frozen when it falls. It's like ice pellets. It sounds crazy when you're in the car and it starts getting pelted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893974 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:47:14 +0000 Cherrybee 1893974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: Ahh! We call that sleet! It's like slushy-rain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893960 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:39:22 +0000 ShootingStar 1893960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: OMG, digging out your car in Boston is the absolute worst. And if you don't it turns to a giant block of ice. And no one ever clears off all the snow, just the snow on top of their car, so then their mounts of snow in between where cars were parked and they turn to big blocks of ice too. </p> <p>@Cherrybee: freezing rain is wet like regular rain, not fluffy like snow. But when it hits the ground it turns to ice. It's actually the most dangerous weather condition because it turns roads all to ice. </p> <p>I've lived in 4 season weather my entire life and I'm just kind of used to it. I used to beg DH for us to move to North Carolina where winters are milder, but for various reasons we decided our life is here in the Boston area. Winters are long and everyone acts like spring is never going to get there, but it does. Usually around here it's about 50/50 whether you'll have snow on the ground by Christmas, but by January the ground's always covered. February is the worst month to me because it's cold, the snow is all dirty and disgusting, there's huge mountains of snow everywhere and it feels like winter's been going on forever and that it'll be forever until it's spring. I go to FL every year to visit my parents in either February or March for my own mental health. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893937 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:28:10 +0000 MrsSCB 1893937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lived up north for awhile and now I live in Texas. Major difference, weather-wise haha. Now that I'm down south, I've turned into a total wimp about the cold. I didn't have a car up north so I walked everywhere, no matter how cold. Earlier this year, we visited Boston and it was about 12F. I was like, "I forgot what real cold is like!!!" Lol, so I think I prefer the weather down here. I'm mostly used to it being in the upper 90s all summer long. I even run outside in it. The only thing I miss is fall weather and leaves changing. It's still in the 90s right now! It's hilarious when it does get cold here (and by cold I mean like 30s F). Last year there was a little bit of freezing rain and everyone lost their damn minds! Schools were closed, no one went to work, it was insanity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893889 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:01:54 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1893889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to add that the hardest part of a Swedish winter isn't actually the cold, but the lack of sunlight. During the summer, the sun is out from 3:30am to 10:30pm. During winter, it's dark when you leave your house and dark when you come home. What's worse is it's gloomy. It's not uncommon to not get any sunlight for weeks :sad: </p> <p>People actually prefer the snow because during long gloomy days, the snow provides light. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893879 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:56:01 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1893879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Sweden and it can be sweater weather for pretty much 8-9 months of the year. But our winters are surprisingly mild compared to some of the northern US states. We don't have windchill, for instance, and where I live, the coldest is -28C, but -15C is more common. </p> <p>The coldest days are the clear days with no clouds. That's when the air is glittery and no one is out. I'm from Southern California, so all of this is foreign to me, but I'm adjusted (although it's taken some time)! </p> <p>Another surprising tidbit is Swedes seem to overdress. What I mean by that is they extensively layer and don't go running around with little to no clothing. Even if they're in jeans, they're actually wearing long john's underneath, so for a foreigner, it can look a little deceiving. </p> <p>The daycare/preschools here all have children playing outside in all weather. In fact, I just got a letter from LO's daycare saying they'll start having all snacks outside because of the nice fall weather. It's wet and cool during fall and they'll be out in the forest. But they're required to have a set of rain gear, jackets, boots, and gloves and hats at daycare, so they're always prepared. </p> <p>As for the streets when it's snowing, the city handles the snow plowing pretty well, so we never have to worry. But we are responsible for plowing the driveway. We don't have a enclosed garage, only a car port, so that includes scraping the ice off the windows. But we actually prefer to take the bus, so the car doesn't get so much use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893870 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:48:48 +0000 travelgirl1 1893870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: That's why I like Canada, because there is a provincial healthcare system (although qualifying is not as simple as with the NHS) and a full year of mat leave. There is no doubt about it, England does have a fabulous set-up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893866 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:45:46 +0000 Cherrybee 1893866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: *romantic sigh*. I really, really wanna leave here for somewhere more.... lovely? The big wooden houses, children riding trikes down the street, the scary clowns hiding in drains (I get my images of Maine from 1980s Stephen King films!).</p> <p>But, oh the NHS, the welfare benefit system (should I ever need it)... and the final straw was the thread about schools not providing, like, crayons and stuff! We've got it SO good here - it's worth the slushy sleet and the rainy summers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893852 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:39:19 +0000 travelgirl1 1893852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: Shudder. I'm so not ready!!!.</p> <p>@Cherrybee: Oh no, you CAN do that, but you will probably need a big coat on top of the jumper and some heat packs for your hands and feet as soon as you come off the ice :happy: And be prepared to lose a finger or two (kidding). Most winters aren't that bad and you can totally skate in the middle of a snow storm, which is very romantic and fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893838 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:27:55 +0000 Cherrybee 1893838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: Ugh, so any romantic ideas I may have been harboring about ice skating on a lake wearing an adorable jumper and bobble hat combo, cheeks slightly rosy from the cold are totally out?!! Balaclava it is!! That sucks!! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893758 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:56:16 +0000 LovelyPlum 1893758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: @loki: the rumors are similar over here on the other side of the lake, too. Trying not to think about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893704 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:36:53 +0000 loki 1893704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: i am! my friend is giving me her stroller, i'm not sure what she has... but i live in major suburbia fortunately and won't really need to maneuver in the city thankfully! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893691 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:29:52 +0000 travelgirl1 1893691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loki: People keep telling me that, I keep blocking them out :silly: You're pregnant, aren't you? Get a stroller with big wheels for all that snow, the UppaBaby Vista is a beast! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893675 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:24:08 +0000 loki 1893675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: ya last year was a particularly brutal one here! i've heard we're supposed to have another polar vortex this year and it's gonna be just as bad? which suuuuucks after our awful summer :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893656 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:15:22 +0000 travelgirl1 1893656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: So I guess my cold tolerance is pretty similar to yours, since we are used to English winters, right? Toronto's kicked my butt last year, seriously. There was so.much.ice. Everywhere! I had to wear spikes on my boots when I was wearing LO so I wouldn't slip. With the stroller, you had to really, really shove with all your might to get the damn thing through the snow and over the road (the bumping is great for lulling kids to sleep though). We wore thick, winter gear even in April. The cold is a real burning type of cold so your skin and hair get wrecked and you cover your entire face if you're smart. Winter had real novelty value the first few years we were here because of the snow and skating etc, but last year, omg. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893637 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:06:53 +0000 hellobeeboston 1893637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: yep!! That was a crazy storm though! And kind of fun at first. Luckily I wasn't city living at that time but I remember it. The issue was there was no place to put the snow! They had to remove it and take it out of the city in dumpsters! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893595 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:53:15 +0000 Cherrybee 1893595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: WOAH! That is incredible!!!!!!! Are those people digging out their cars to go to work?? F that S! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like/page/2#post-1893586 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:51:01 +0000 Cherrybee 1893586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Pinecone316: Is that the one with Billy Bob Thornton in? If so, that's the reason we watched the film!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893560 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:45:21 +0000 plantains 1893560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I grew up in London and moved to New York City 10 years ago, but I will never get used to a Northeast winter. Last year was the worst, absolutely brutal. When I went to London in January to visit, it felt like a tropical vacation. As erratic as UK weather is, I think I prefer winter there. In an ideal world I would spend summer in New York and winter in London.</p> <p>Last winter, the sprinkler system in my building froze due to extreme cold! Really hope it is better this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893547 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:43:13 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 1893547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely don't live somewhere with long winter but wanted to say that my DH and I LOVED the FX mini series on Fargo that came out this year. If you liked the movie you should really watch it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893476 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:25:44 +0000 Adira 1893476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Fluffy snow is the best. It's fairly dry, so it doesn't stick together (so no fun for making snowmen), but it just brushes right off your car! And when it is snowing fluffy snow, it just blows off the roads. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893457 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:21:35 +0000 Cherrybee 1893457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I don't think I've ever seen fluffy snow. It's either icy snow or sleet here. i actually quite like the sound of fluffy snow!! </p> <p>@MrsKoala: Hahahaha! I bet he finds it really funny! The British people are so "stiff upper lip" about everything and appear so unfazed.... until we get a bit of snow then we are completely ridiculous!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893448 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:19:40 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1893448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: omg last winter was so snowy! I live in an apartment but just park in the lot. I remember one snow storm where it was so snowy I couldn't even pull into the lot and my car was stuck. I had to wait for the plow to get me out! </p> <p>At least it's not snowing EVERY day of those six months. And most of the snow in October and November dossnt stay. </p> <p>I dislike the weather enough that I don't particularly want to live here my whole life, but my family is here </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893418 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:14:04 +0000 Adira 1893418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shutterbug: Oh my gosh, YES! The ice/snow/ice combo is definitely the WORST! And it makes the snow layer so heavy and have to get off. Fluffy snow is the easiest to deal with. On days like those, I just sit in my car for 30 minutes while it heats up and defrosts the windows enough for me to actually clear it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893409 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:12:36 +0000 Adira 1893409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: It seems like every state handles it differently (maybe based on their tax system)! But it's definitely frustrating to be on the road with a bunch of drivers who act like they've never seen snow before! Or to drive on the highway and it's not clear! And I swear, the road I live on is always the last to be cleared - it's always the worst! And it ends in a little hill, so you kind of have to just to roll through the stop sign or else you'll get stuck there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893405 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:11:06 +0000 Shutterbug 1893405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: ah, Boston in the winter :heart: </p> <p>@Cherrybee: The best is when it changes from rain, to freezing rain (meaning rain that freezes on contact with the ground/your car), to snow, back to freezing rain. So you have a layer of ice on your car, followed by a thick layer of snow, and then another layer of ice on top of that. Ugggh, stop talking about the winter, it's warm here today!</p> <p>Another thing - with all the snow and hilly terrain here (Boston suburbs) you feel like you *need* a car with 4WD/AWD, and they have terrible gas mileage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893388 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:06:19 +0000 MrsKoala 1893388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: My dad lives over there and he's always laughing about what happens when it snows! :) Mainly because he's used to New England winters! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-anyone-live-somewhere-with-long-super-cold-winters-whats-it-like#post-1893387 Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:06:19 +0000 Adira 1893387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: No, freezing rain is rain that basically freezes when it hits the ground. So you get all wet AND the roads and your car basically turn into complete ice. It SUCKS. And scraping off your car all depends on what you're dealing with. If it's just snow, then you probably just have to brush it off. If it's ice, you need to scrape it off. And LOTS of people only clear off their windshields, but you're really supposed to clear off your whole car - otherwise the snow on the top just falls and obscures your back window, and sometimes it flies off and hits another car, which can cause accidents! </p>