<p>How do California kids tend to cope with the cold weather? It is easy to sit in 75 degree weather and say it will be no big deal, but is that the reality? My D says she likes snow, but then again her idea of snow is a one week ski vacation, and of course in California we talk about the cold when the temp is in the 60's. Ha! Would love to hear from California kids at NW.</p>
<p>We're from the northeast, but many of my kid's friends are from LA. Yes, it is cold in Chicago...REALLY cold. But everyone I have met at NU loves the place so much they think it's worth it.</p>
<p>There are a lot of California students at Northwestern. Many buy thick coats and other winter accessories once they arrive in the Chicagoland area. Luckily, spring quarter is pretty warm.</p>
<p>Buy your winter clothes once you get up there.</p>
<p>^ Why do you say this? </p>
<p>Is it because there is better selection and pricing than what those living in more moderate climates can find? Or perhaps we do not even know what we will need until we experience it !</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I have no doubt we would find great places to buy appropriate winter clothing. What I am wondering is more about lifestyle. It is hard for a Californian to imagine being indoors for several months of the year. Do students tend to go outdoors only to scurry as fast as possible from one indoor location to the next? During the winter months, do people stand outside and talk or is it just too cold for that? I know these questions seem ridiculous to all those who are used to cold climates...sorry!</p>
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<p>Our CA friend is wondering what it's like to LIVE in the cold. And it can be cold--but it's not terrible. Many days in the winter the sun is really warm and although it may be only 15 or 20 degrees, you will not feel the need to scurry. If the wind is blowing, you may hurry a bit! But that is certainly not the case all of the time. The last few years have been very snowy, but once snow is cleared and moving about is possible again, it's actually very lovely. Yes, winter does get a bit long here and most of us are very ready for Spring this time every year, but I still wouldn't want to live anywhere the seasons don't change. </p>
<p>As for being cooped up all winter, I guess I can't answer that. Never lived anywhere else, and have never given that any thought. The short winter days make indoors pretty appealing!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>haha. you spend most of your time indoors studying if you go to northwestern, so it really isn't too much of a problem.</p>
<p>Like you, I was a little "concerned" about the weather. Let's face it-we just don't do "snow/cold" except for the occasional jaunts up to the mountains to do skiing.
My DD is a sophomore. She often commented on how beautiful it was-but she never really talked about the biting cold. She would reassure me during breaks that it really was a matter of having the right clothes, and she felt she had the right clothes.
Sometimes I will call when I see the weather report say 14 degrees and it feels like 7 below--she says she is OK with it.
So, hopefully this provides the reassurance you are seeking.~APOL-a mom</p>
<p>I'm a sophomore and every year when the first snow of the season comes (usually in October) everybody from California runs outside to experience their first snowfall. People have a really good time with it. After about a week the snow turns brown, the sky turns grey, and the wind gusts so hard that your face is throbbing by the time you get to your destination. I never thought weather would be a big deal, but after 6 months of winter you start to question your reasons for coming to Chicago. Trust me, the weather really is that bad and probably worse.</p>
<p>The most time you're going to spend outside is maybe 15 minutes at the very most, if you walk relatively quickly to classes. It's not that big of a deal. Everyone wears t-shirts and whatnot indoors, so it's really the same thing as home. I'm saying this as a student from NorCal too. I, personally, didn't find it to be that big of a deal, though I was happy to be out in 60 degree weather yesterday :)</p>