<p>This so depends on the campus and the city. When he has narrowed it down a bit more, we can be more helpful.</p>
<p>They keep the sidewalks amazingly clear on campus. They run campus busses. Once you are outside those zones, getting around becomes more difficult. D is an undergrad in an upperclassman dorm now and it is very nice and quiet. Lovely common areas with big TVs, and a Starbucks downstairs, make running into people easier. Meal plans are available and the food choices are very good, IMO. If your S wants to remove a few stressors from his first year, he should live on campus, or very near campus.</p>
<p>“Thanks for mentioning about the car. What kind of drive does one need for driving in the snow/ice? Should son get a jeep like car? Right now, he drives my four door Toyota that he inherited. We’ve actually had snow a few times down here, and I’ve watched the cars fishtail, so I think that’s my biggest concern, is that he has the appropriate transportation.”</p>
<p>We don’t have special cars up here. Whatever car is appropriate for your taste and budget is fine. The reason you’re seeing people fishtail in your area is likely because a) the roads aren’t taken care of and b) you’re seeing people who don’t know how to drive in snow. </p>
<p>Make the decision on apt/dorm, car/public transport as you would normally.</p>
<p>One mild caveat to that: There are fewer rear-wheel drive cars on the road than there used to be when I was a kid, but they can be harder to steer or maintain traction in snow, so I’d probably advise a less-experienced winter driver to get a front-wheel drive. (Most new cars sold in the US, particularly the smaller ones, are FWD anyway.)</p>
<p>You want a front wheel drive car if you get one for sure. Our little Toyota Corolla does pretty well when our street is not completely plowed, our Mommy van (a Siena) does better because of the extra weight. City streets usually get plowed within a day. Most campuses are very good about clearing snow off the paths. I recommend a pair of Sorel boots. This one: [Men’s</a> Bear? Boot | SOREL.COM](<a href=“http://www.sorel.com/mens-bear-boot-NM1023.html]Men’s”>http://www.sorel.com/mens-bear-boot-NM1023.html)</p>
<p>After he decides on the specific location, he’ll be able to ask the other students or faculty about specifics. There is a big difference, for example, between Pittsburgh,PA and Hanover, NH. Every place has its own idiosyncrasies. One thing that has always been surprising to me is how hot everyplace is in the summer. :)</p>
<p>He should get a front wheel drive car if possible. Otherwise a warm coat, hat, gloves, and boots and he should be good. Lands End is good for coats (they are true to size, they will have a ‘cold’ rating and will last for years). Chap stick (lots of it). Lotion (keep skin moisturized as it’s very dry here in Michigan in the winter, perhaps a humidifier). Yes, and it gets HOT in the summer here. I got my current apartment through craigslist. We get a lot of residents/medical students in this complex as we’re right around the corner from a major medical center. I pay rent plus electrical (heat and hot water is included) - heat is a MAJOR budget issue so look for a place with heat included (think $300 per month heating bills).</p>
<p>^^^Wow, y’all are awesome! I didn’t even think about heating bills. We really don’t want to do the dorm again. Son was blessed with a housing scholarship in undergrad, so we’ve done the dorm for the past four years, but with weather and travel being an issue at breaks, we’ll be glad to make our own move in/move out schedule finally! Because son is just going for his master’s and will likely not have funding, not having to buy a car will be a big plus. Although I really wanted my Camry back, he has fallen in love with it and taken very good care of it, so I’m happy to relieve him of the expense of buying a new car. If he just needs different tires, so be it! Will check with a mechanic if things like spark plugs and such need to be modified. We’ve got the hats, gloves, coats already, as son had planned on going to the midwest for undergrad but chose the affordable Southern option instead. So, he’s just delayed the move by four years. It is certainly going to be an adventure!</p>
<p>If he can get by without a car do that because my largest expense besides rent is- wait for it - car insurance (Michigan has some of the highest car insurance nationwide). Unless it’s cheaper to leave the car on your policy as a 'student away at school ’ car. So typical in Michigan, living expense in order = rent, car insurance, heat in winter and rent, car insurance, electricity in summer because of the hot humid summers (air conditioning though it is do-able with a fan and a bowl of ice water in front) ;)</p>
<p>Perhaps I missed it but I didn’t see anyone mention that while you don’t need a special car, and many people don’t have one, it is in fact better to have all wheel drive. There was a very noticeable difference between my old subaru and every other car I’ve driven on snow and ice. I wouldn’t worry about a Camry, but if you do end up buying a car, I would think seriously about AWD.</p>
<p>I think anti-lock brakes are more important than AWD. I have a little car with FWD and it does great plowing through stuff, but stopping with the ABS- ack. It’s terrible.</p>
<p>It’s mostly better to not have rear wheel drive, I think, though yes if you DO have AWD that’s best but I’ve never had AWD and have been fine, even suffered through a rear wheel drive car or three through several winters.</p>
<p>May I echo the advice about utility bills? Stay away from all electric apartments if the electricity is not included in the rent. Check with the alumni organization from his undergrad. college. They may have alum living in the area he will relocate to and may help out with advice.</p>
<p>Agree about ABS — I think that is really important (never had AWD, so not sure that is necessary). There is very often ice beneath the snow, and ABS is important in such conditions.</p>
<p>ice</p>
<p>I’m from the deep south like you Montegut and we just aren’t used to it. It is common to slip and fall and break something. He’s going to need a bag of sand by his door and he’s going to need to watch and be careful. Moisture can drip onto steps and freeze. Yes, sidewalks are usually cleared. It’s pretty impossible to clear all of it. Crossing streets can be potentially dangerous. It’s second nature to those who grew up with it. They still sometimes fall. He needs boots with really good traction.</p>
<p>black ice - beware; you won’t know it’s there till it’s too late</p>
<p>I used to go out and check my driveway every morning before I got on the road when there had been precipitation and the temperatures went below freezing overnight. Northerners don’t think it’s a big deal because, growing up, they learn appropriate cold weather behavior and skill sets. We didn’t. Your question is really sensible.</p>
<p>ETA: depending where he lives he may want an emergency kit for the car with blanket, flashlight, water. In case he gets stuck on the side of the road in bad weather. We always kept extra coats/boots in the trunk when we lived a ways out from any town.</p>
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Brilliant. Will have to let expatSon know when he heads off to college this fall.</p>
<p>Chuckling at this (apparent) communication breakdown: OP says southern son not used to dealing with temps below 30 degrees. Next poster says oh it doesn’t get to 30 below very often!</p>
<p>alh, good point about ice! I did NOT expect that when I moved from Texas to Maine. I love the cold and snow, but HATE the ice. Right now, I literally cannot make it a few steps from our garage to the vehicle that stays in the driveway without being afraid I’m going to fall. The first winter we were up here, I slipped on ice on our friends’ driveway and hurt my knee. Be careful!!</p>
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<p>Our postman is refusing to deliver mail on our private road WAY too often. His explanation is that the USPS jeep he is using has rear wheel drive. What the heck?? In Maine?? Grr.</p>
<p>We are from TX and my freshman DD at Purdue does have problem with the cold. Maybe someone can give us some tips.</p>
<p>She bought a lot of cold weather clothes, a good jacket and fleece and good winter boots keep her core and feet warm but with 2 layers of under-armour and jeans, she still feels cold at the thigh.</p>
<p>She has also gotten sick 3 times this Fall semester, as often as she has 17 years prior total.</p>
<p>One thing my DD learn is when you fly, try to fly non-stop.
If weather is bad, she only has to deal with 1 location, IND. </p>
<p>Early on, she connected thru Atlanta and she had to sleep at the airport even though IND and HOU weather were good.</p>