<p>I am a bit confused on how the winters are there at UMich, by reading reviews online it seems like almost all East cost cities Boston, NEw York and Ann Arbor , the winters are almost same.</p>
<p>Then why is there a hype about Michigan winters? Can anyone give an insight on is winter creates a hindrance at UMich?</p>
<p>Please keep in mind I dont have any prior experience of living in a snow environment.</p>
<p>The hype is that this winter in particular has been very cold. The same as the entire northern half of the U.S. Not typical. Its never tropical but usually better. I would definitely say the temps are comparable to the NE U.S. The two prior Winters were much warmer and had less snow.</p>
<p>Winter isn’t a hindrance…people that don’t like winter tend to live where there isn’t winter. If you look at a map, Ann Arbor is quite a bit further north than NY and Boston and Michigan is surround by water so like Chicago it can be windy, damp and cold and depending on wind direction snowy…but hindrance, no. Average January temp in NY is 38 degrees, average January temp in Detroit is 29 degrees so it’s about 10 degrees colder mid-winter in Michigan. Dress appropriately and you wouldn’t notice the difference. Detroit and Boston have similar annual snowfall totals, NY slightly less. </p>
<p>Do you think I can adjust in winters , if I have absolutely no experience in living in less than 0 Celsius ?</p>
<p>Plus mostly Freshmen are placed on North Campus but as I am in LSA, classes will be in Central Campus…will bus ride and all that travelling be okay in those months of January and February?</p>
<p>Also slightly different thing but how much clothes are for if I want to spend minimum to get through winters? </p>
<p>I grew up in the warmest climate on earth, and I had no trouble adjusting to Michigan winters. </p>
<p>The bare minimum you will require is the following:
<p>Don’t base your opinion on last winter - it was the worst in 50+ years. You can adapt. Winter has its own beauty just like all seasons. </p>
<p>Getting around is not an issue, they plow the snow off the roads. You’ll want boots for your feet so they stay dry and warm so I’d add that to Alexandre’s bare minimum list. You can shove your hands in your pockets but it’s just as easy to put on gloves or mittens. Bring a fleece or a soft shell jacket with you…temps won’t start falling until October and snow doesn’t start sticking to the ground until December usually. You can buy the Michigan sweatshirt after you arrive. I’d also advise buying the heavy duty winter clothes after you arrive…then you’ll have an idea of what other kids wear. And yes, winter has it’s own beauty especially on the days the sun shines.</p>
<p>Most years the coldest it ever gets is in the teens, and it will usually be in the 20s for most of winter, rarely ever goes into single digits or below 0. This year was quite exceptional. </p>
<p>@momofthreeboys @alexandre Thanks! How is the Michigan compared to the NYC winters?
I mean is it only the month of January when there is a significant difference? </p>
<p>Also how much money will you suggest me to bring in cash to get those winter clothes? I wont be able to travel with them (International student)</p>
<p>@Vladenschlutte - One thing. Those single digits or below 0 is Fahrenheit right? </p>
<p>I dont have any prior experience with BELOW Zero Celius. The biggest drop in my city is 1 Celsius. Never below that.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m talking Fahrenheit. If you’re looking for somewhere where it never freezes then Michigan ain’t for you, it will be sub-0 Celsius for most of December-February. But not far below. 0F is -18C. 10F is -12C. It rarely goes below -12C, and in the 9 years I lived in Ann Arbor it only went below -18C a few times. </p>
<p>Thanks, I understand that but do you think I will be able to adjust to such temperatures?</p>
<p>You’re first year you’re gonna be cold. After that you should be fine. </p>
<p>Ann Arbor is actually a pretty warm place as far as Midwestern winters go. If you were a warm weather person going to Michigan Tech, I’d be a bit less optimistic. I think you can get used to winter in southeastern Michigan quite easily, though. </p>
<p>Roughly 15% of Michigan students come from warmer climates, such as California, Texas, Florida, India, the Middle East etc…if those 4,000 students have adapted, I think you can. </p>
<p>The weather here is crazy because it varies so much it’ll snow in spring, it can go from 70 to 40 in one day. It doesn’t get too cold (expect for this year ha!) the winters are around 30F and summers can go up to 80’s so it’s pretty nice but crazy at times </p>
<p>As far as money, everything you’ll need is at a variety of price points. By August 1 winter clothing will be in the stores (and on their internet sites) and you can price shop…near campus is also Bivouac, Moosejaw and Urban outfitters, nearby is Briarwood mall with lots of price points and there’s always Target for lower prices. But do some internet surfing and you can figure out a budget you’re comfortable with. You don’t need expedition gear for Antarctica…most smart winter people just layer up, adding and subtracting layers as the temps go up and down.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. Everyone should live in a place with 4 very distinct seasons at least once in their life. </p>
<p>Let’s be honest here - if you are from a place that never goes below 32F, you are not going to like the winter in Ann Arbor. I’m sure you will adjust but it is going to be unpleasant during a big part of the school year. </p>
<p>This shouldn’t be a surprise and, for most people, isn’t a big enough problem to keep them from choosing Michigan.</p>
<p>Hopefully this past winter was an anomaly and we won’t have a repeat for a long, long time. My college kids were very sick of it and felt a bit trapped by it. I think they went out less than usual and saw some friends less due to long walks in the cold. Daughter did go out and purchase a waterproof pair of Merrill shoes as she said she was sick of having wet feet from sidewalks not being shoveled. I believe Eddie Bauer is in the Briarwood mall and they have everything you need to deal with the cold weather you will encounter. You can go online and see pricing if you want to have an idea of what things will cost.</p>
<p>Oh and if you are going to purchase just one winter coat I would recommend that it be a down 3/4 length coat. Besides being warm from the down, the wind won’t go up your back and will keep you nice and toasty. Black 3/4 length North Face or any quality brand will do.</p>
<p>" If you look at a map, Ann Arbor is quite a bit further north than NY and Boston…"</p>
<p>I suggest a map intelligence test. </p>
<p>Boston 42.21 N
Ann Arbor 42.16 N</p>