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Unlike New Jersey, and Metro NY, they get roads, sidewalks and stairs plowed and cleared quickly and efficiently.
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I found northern NJ and NY (especially NYC) to be amazingly good about snow removal. Like Boston, they'll run plows all night long. I've lived in NJ, NYC, Providence, RI and Boston, MA and have probably woken up to the sound of plows in all three. :) When I was in college, we didn't need snow boots to get to class, but we did need them for cafeteria tray sledding!</p>
<p>Here in Virginia, they have the equipment to handle the snow, though not as much of it and they definitely don't run it all night long. But, getting more than 3 inches is considered a major event here. <em>Fortunately</em> for the students, UVA never closes because of our medical center.</p>
<p>In Boston/Cambridge, they shovel roads and larger streets very nicely. But the snow ends up blocking smaller streets. It's the sidewalks that are the real killers. Snow is not the real problem, though; it's slush. When the snow thaws, you can be ankle-deep in dirty slush/ water and the puddles are so large that you won't be able to jump over them.
If you live on-campus, you'll be okay. But if you live in a BU dorm or Harvard House, you might consider footwear that will protect you against slush and pond water.</p>
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<p>I have even seen girls walking around in flip-flops on very cold, snowy winter days.<<</p>
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<br>
<p>Yeah, and one of them was probably my daughter. SoCal born and raised daughter waited until her second Boston winter snow storm to even deign to put on shoes, much less snow boots. </p>
<p>In shopping for winter stuff I had to more or less force her to pick out a winter coat - something she had never owned before and just didn't see the need for. By January she was wearing it. Never got any boots though.</p>
<p>I agree with the advice of letting her figure this out on her own at school ... she will quickly learn that her peer group is overhwhelmingly wearing some form of reasonable boot when it snows. That said one of my friends at Cornell always wore his Converse sneakers, and t-shirt, and shorts ... about 5 days a year he would break down and wear pants, gloves, and a hat ... then again he was a rather strange and brillant young man.</p>
<p>Whenever I go to New York or Canada, I always bring my winter boots if it is after September. Because I was raised in TN and only ever lived in So Cal and South Florida- until I was 21 I never saw more than half an inch of slushy ice and snow. No way I am falling down in the snow or ice! </p>
<p>There are winter boots out there for everyone, if you look hard enough. It is soo not "uncool" to protect yourself from falling.</p>
<p>The post should be titled "how to get my adult daughter to wear snow boots " and it will be put in perspective. Around this time last year I drove my
sophmore daughter cross country to her new apartment in New Orleans. I fretted over the most trivial things(especially proper clothing) that I had no control over. Two weeks later all those trivial items were washed away, but my daughter , one pair of cut-offs, one pair of flip-flops, two tee shirts and an incredible amount of stregnth and grit that I had no idea existed remained intact. These kids are smarter and stronger than we know.</p>
<p>OP, I'd give it up and let her take what she has. In the scheme of things, this is not an important concern. She'll figure it out on her own.</p>
<p>Mothramon, I agree - our kids are a lot stronger and smarter than we know. Or if they aren't, college and being away from home will help them to get there. Glad your daughter weathered it all with grace and courage.</p>
<p>My daughter attended high school at a small boarding school outside of Boston, she wore canvas sneakers most days and just stayed to the shoveled walk-ways. Many of her classmates wore flip-flops to class. First year of college in NYC was a big shock. Her first step into several inches of cold melted snow (aka ice water) was her last without boots. They will figure it out.</p>
<p>I grew up in upstate new york,...i know cold, and wet, and sloggy</p>
<p>I never reallly had snow boots, but I did have some attractive boots that worked in the snow...two different things</p>
<p>I think we all lived in converse until they would freeze up int he cold if they got wet</p>
<p>I would shower in the morning, and my hair would freeze waiting for the bus if i didn't have time to dry it</p>
<p>we all lived</p>
<p>I got a really cute pair of boots from......wait for it....Victorias Secret for wet weather and cold</p>
<p>She will be fine, and its not like they are standing around in the snow, they are moving, with circulating blood </p>
<p>think about this, if she has big ole boots on, once she is indoors for a class, does she sit in them, getting all hot, or does she carry another pair around to change into for classes, etc</p>
<p>That's a good poin't. Sitting in soggy boots, letting your feet get all gross and sweaty, doesn't sound like the best idea. But letting your feet and socks get frozen the minute you step outiside doesn't sound like a good alternative either. It seems to me like a good idea to wear something more than sneakers, and definately not flip-flops.</p>
<p>I can't believe it's possible to wear flip-flops in the snow and ice. In fact, I'm surprised it's possible to go anywhere in flip-flops given the extra effort needed to keep them on one's feet and the resulting tripping hazard. When I was in undergraduate school (UIUC) in the mid-1990s, NOBODY wore flip-flops in the snow. When I was in elementary school, the teachers and principal's office were ALWAYS reminding everyone to bundle up in the winter with coats, hats, gloves, and boots. (True, we had a series of exceptionally cold and snowy winters in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but even a "mild" winter day is STILL much too cold for flip-flops.)</p>
<p>What is the world coming to? Why has everyone forgotten the importance of bundling up? Aren't there any winter fashions for the high school and college students to switch to when the cold weather arrives?</p>
<p>I just don't get it. I feel so far behind the times.</p>
<p>Newjerseydad, go to Zappos.com and do a search for Timberland. They have several options in pink winter boots. Send her a pair. She may never wear them, but you'll have done your part.</p>
<p>Well, it is ultimately her descision. If she really won't wear boots of any kind besides cowgirl boots, then it it would be a waste of money to buy and send her the boots anyway.</p>
<p>I'm still here! Just needed to take a little break as all of the criticisms were becoming overwhelming!</p>
<p>Just kidding, it's all well and good! :)</p>
<p>No I haven't taken the money and gone out to dinner yet, but the way things are going, I probably will soon.</p>
<p>What is this stuff about wearing flip flops in the snow?!?! Not only is it ridiculous, but it's news to me. I guess I must have been living under a rock all these years!</p>
<p>Anyway, I guess I'll just do what mostly everyone says and just send her off without them. I'll keep you posted! :)</p>
<p>Sorry, were you being criticized? Would I be piling on if I suggested the original post reminds me more of a kid going to nursery school than college? I found it amusing.</p>
<p>I live in upstate ny - you do NOT NEED SNOWBOOTS!!!!
This is seriously one of the most misunderstood aspects of living up north - after you stop having recess outside, you don't wear snowboots. Ever. Sidewalks are shoveled by 5 or 6am, roads are plowed even earlier, and everyone walks around in their regular shoes. I survived all last winter with a few pairs of clogs and one pair of black dress shoes. The only thing to truly stay away from is suede.</p>
<p>While I don't think one really needs "snow boots". a good pair of waterproof shoes would come in handy. My daughter spent her first year in central Ney York last year coming from the south. She couldn't wait to get her pink winter boots. While she didn't wear them all the time, she said they came in handy when the sidewalks were slushy. Yes the school kept the walkways cleared, but when it melted or the kids crossed the grass, boots were appreciated. When the snow is falling, it sure is nice to have a waterproof pair of shoes on when walking across campus. Or for those days the kids play in the snow (they still are kids!) Also, the salt, sand, or gravel that is used at some places takes it toll on shoes. My daughter just was going through her clothes and shoes to take back, and one pair of suede shoes are covered in salt or sand.</p>
<p>I would think a pair of shoes with good tractioon and waterproof would be all that is needed if someone really doesn't want boots. That black ice really does sneak up on you!</p>
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What is this stuff about wearing flip flops in the snow?!?!
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Very, very common. When I was in Boston, my office faced the main "quad" and it would drive me crazy to see kids wearing flip flops in the snow. </p>
<p>One of the Hawaiians was proud to only own flip flops. :)</p>
<p>I remember visiting a New England college with my daughter in February a few years ago, and having a tour guide who wore flip flops ... walking backwards ... in the snow.</p>