<p>My daughter was born and raised in Arizona. She is the typical high achiever student (High test scores, good ECs, 4.0+ gpa etc..). Her college choices are all in the northeast and upper midwest. I am concerned about the dramatic change in the weather. In Phoenix, 70 degree temperatures are sweater weather! Are there any parents out there that have had their children transfer out of cold climate schools for warmer weather? We already visited the campuses, but that was during the summer. We intend to go back during the winter break but I'm not sure if a few days in the cold is enough time to really grasp what it's like to live there.</p>
<p>My first job out of grad school was a move from Michigan to Arizona. I lived there for 9 years, got married and we had a child there. </p>
<p>Moved back to the midwest and have now been here for about 12 years.</p>
<p>Moving back to the midwest was a shock to the system for sure. I much prefer the midwest weather. I suspect that she will adapt especially if she is an outdoor oriented person. She will need to try Xcountry skiing, broomball, etc.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be too concerned about it. It’s nice to have nice weather but this college experience is only about 4 years, she may be kept pretty busy with her studies, and she should be able to handle it for that timeframe. This is especially true if she doesn’t have to drive (i.e. contend with driving in snow/ice). </p>
<p>That said, I know of a student who went from the most ideal weather in the country, San Diego, to college in the midwest and hated the weather, the ‘dead look’ of leafless trees, dormant brown grass, gray skies, etc. and he really wanted to get out of there (but he stuck it out through undergrad). Your D will be going from Phoenix sunshine to winter gray which can have a depressing effect if she’s not busy and focused. But, there are people who even like living in places like Portland and Seattle so it doesn’t bother everyone.</p>
<p>It really boils down to the individual but regardless, it’s not a terribly long timeframe and it can be good to experience different parts of the country, different weather, etc. and it’ll likely make her appreciate the non-summer season weather in Phoenix more.</p>
<p>Your daughter will quickly learn to dress for the temperature. Be sure she has layers to work with; long sleeved Ts and blouses, sweaters, indoor weight fleece jacket and or vest, rain gear, and winter wear: puffer jacket, possibly a wool dress coat if she will have formal events, hats, gloves, and scarves.</p>
<p>She may learn to love the changing of the seasons, the variety of fashions, and knowing she can cope in a new location.</p>
<p>I have a close friend in Phoenix whose son only wanted to go to school in the Northeast or Midwest. He ended up at Northwestern - on frigid Lake Michigan. LOVED it. Has stayed in Chicago ever since.</p>
<p>The first day I woke up at college in Massachusetts and the thermometer said nine degrees, I thought it was broken. I even told my roommate we needed to call maintenance to have it fixed. And I’m not from a super-warm state either (just a temperate one, where it’s rarely below 35). You get used to it. You dress for it. And then you really appreciate things when you go home! Plus, it can be fun to come from a state without really defined seasons and spend time in New England or the Midwest. Watch the leaves change, make a snowman, suffer through the never ending sleet of spring, it’s an experience.</p>
<p>I still vote for west of Lake Michigan where the sun shines in the winter more than twice in three months like the eastern shorelines of the Great Lakes! She’ll adapt and grow to either love it or hate it…send warm clothes.</p>
<p>My D was born and raised in AZ. She never scooped snow or knew anything about it except that you get in a car and drive to the mountains to ski on it She went to college in Boston, loved it and never ever complained about the weather. D graduated a couple of years ago but still lives i the northeast. She likes the change in the seasons and enjoys wearing coats and boots. Just depends on the kid-I’ll take the 115F summers over snow.</p>
Nothing can prepare you for living in a place that gets a lot of snow! Send lots of layers (or better yet money to shop once she gets there). She’ll be fine :)</p>
<p>I grew up in Texas and moved to Maine with my husband when I was 24. We moved in mid-November. Every morning, I would jump out of bed and run to the window to see if it had snowed overnight. My biggest disappointment was that it didn’t snow every day! For some reason, growing up I just figured in New England it snowed just about 24 hours a day for several months!</p>
<p>My husband grew up in Wisconsin and predicted I would last only one winter in Maine. Next month will be the 25th anniversary of our move. Even still, when I walk out to our mailbox on a winter morning and I hear my boots crunching in the snow, I smile and think, “I can’t believe I get to live here.”</p>
<p>Robin, my family visited Arizona summer before last. We thought our car thermometer was broken when it registered 120 degrees, but it wasn’t. When we stepped out of the car, we were hit by a wave of blazing hot air. The thought crossed my mind that it was the same SHOCK I feel when I get out of the car in -10 degree temps! I prefer the cold shock, though!</p>
<p>Show confidence in her adaptability. As I say, “that’s why God gave us polar fleece!” Really, people have been living here for a very long time.</p>
<p>Can’t say enough good things about SmartWool socks. Pricey, but they are great and last and last. If her feet, hands, and head are warm and dry, the rest is easy!</p>
<p>Yes! SmartWool is the not so secret weapon for surviving Northern winters in comfort. Also, scarves. Before I went to New England I had never worn a scarf for warmth, only for fashion. In fact, I did not understand the purpose of scarves for warmth, I just thought they were nice woolen accessories. Live and learn, folks. Live and learn. </p>
<p>I also had a great pair of Merrell, slip on, ankle high boots for my first years in New England. They were made out of some kind of material called Thinalex or something like that, that was super warm, but also thin and very light. They were the best for walking in the snow, and not heavy and bulky on my feet like a lot of boots. Find a good pair of snow boots that she really likes and even if they are expensive, get them. She’ll get lots of wear out of them.</p>
<p>It’s an adjustment…to be sure. Our DD wanted to experience something different-Different weather, people, cultures, accents…well…you get the drift. First winter-she kept writing home, sending pictures of the snow…did not seem to spend much time talking about the cold. Me…I was always worried she would freeze walking from her dorm to her classes. She survived!..and after graduation moved from Evanston/Chicago -> DC. She does love coming home for Christmas-sitting out by the pool-while we wear our sweaters!!
I hope this helps-
APOL-a Mum</p>
She went to college in Boston, loved it and never ever complained about the weather. D graduated a couple of years ago but still lives i the northeast. She likes the change in the seasons and enjoys wearing coats and boots. Just depends on the kid-I’ll take the 115F summers over snow.</p>