Is the winter really THAT bad? (store, to move, fun things to do)

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by no_underline

I am from Atlanta originally, and spent the last four years in rural minnesota, but I have spent a lot of time in the Twin Cities. From my perspective, it's not the cold that's bad. The temperatures got down below -20 (-29 C) but honestly to me everything below -10 feels the same. It can be tough, but it's exciting.

For the person in Ireland who asked about clothing... it depends on how good that wool coat is. I have a wool coat and a down coat, and the wool does not cut it after the end of November. It's not very warmly lined, it's more fashionable. I have a friend who has a wool coat that is some kind of military issue and I borrowed that once, and THAT coat was great. It was very different, it had a thick lining and an inner set of elastic cuffs to keep the cold out of the sleeves, and it had a hood.

This coat would not work: Larry Levine Women's Camel Hair Funnel-neck Coat from Overstock.com

something like this would probably be OK: The National Geographic Online Store - Royal Navy Wool Duffel Coat

I would suggest that you just show up in the states with a lot of layers. Have long underwear, long sleeve shirts, a sweater, a fleece jacket, etc. If the wool coat you have right now turns out not to be enough, it'll certainly be OK for a while with a bunch of layers under it, and you can buy a replacement once you know what your needs will be.

One thing I discovered is that it's good to have a functional scarf. I bought a scarf in GA before I moved here and I laugh at that poor miserable scrap of cloth now. What I bought was the kind of thing people in Atlanta wear in December so that their outfits will reflect the fact that it is winter even if the temperature is still 50-60 degrees outside.



In minnesota, you need a scarf to cover your face. You need something for your cheeks and nose. You need a real scarf.

However, I really doubt it will get cold enough for that again this winter, and if you're from Ireland you probably at least have a real scarf. For other people reading this thread: a scarf that has holes in it (crochet, lace looking) or is less than 6'' wide is not a scarf, it is a glorified necklace.

Thr Royal Navy coat looks good. I won't be wearing it. They don't make them smaller than a medium. A men's small is actually large on me(My shirt size ranges from a 16-20 in boys). I guess I could get it in a medium.

The layers thing is very good advice. I learned that when GA had an cold snap(around the same time when Mpls got down to -40 this year).

A good scarf is a wonderful thing. I had to buy a scarf and I got the thickest one I could find. I got it from Target The scarf works pretty good. Now it's useless because the weather has warmed up.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by Winter Hater

Living in minnesota, or any state that shares similar characteristics... is like throwing away half your life. Stay with me on this. Six months out of the year, I and everyone I know - is stuck indoors from october/november to march/april. Rarely going outside to shovel snow, scrape ice, and run to the store for whatever goods we may need. Other than that, you're trapped.

You are only trapped indoors in your mind. Learn to embrace winter instead of fearing it. I'm not trapped anywhere. I have been outside enjoying life almost every day that I have had off of work this winter. My wife and I are getting ready to head to Afton Alps for a day of snowboarding right now. Tomorrow we will be going ice skating.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Miley Cyrus

If you'd have asked me a few years ago, I would've told you it was bearable. After these past 2 winters, however, I can tell you it's sucked the big one. Move to Vegas. Mandalay Bay is sweet. Not to mention MN doesn't have any 7-11's which means a HUGE lack of slurpees. Sorry I got off topic there, this state just depresses me so much sometimes.

Minnesota *used* to have 7-11's. They died.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Winter Hater

Living in minnesota, or any state that shares similar characteristics... is like throwing away half your life. Stay with me on this. Six months out of the year, I and everyone I know - is stuck indoors from october/november to march/april. Rarely going outside to shovel snow, scrape ice, and run to the store for whatever goods we may need. Other than that, you're trapped.

I didn't feel that way, but then again I'm a native. Cross-country skiing is fun, I think, as is snow tubing, and you obvously haven't discovered the joys of snow football or boot hockey yet.

I live in Georgia now, but I would move back to MN in a heartbeat. I love the winter season!

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by Miley Cyrus

Not to mention MN doesn't have any 7-11's which means a HUGE lack of slurpees.

All Super America stations in the area offered any size ICEE for 99 cents during all of last summer.

7-11 justs licensed the product from ICEE and calls it a Slurpee.

Slurpee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Minneapolitan]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

What do you mean by saying that civic pride borders of near-smug and winter having something to do with it?

Read the very next sentence after the one you highlighted, and you will have your answer.

[kuan]

Originally Posted by no_underline

However, I really doubt it will get cold enough for that again this winter

I'll hold you to that.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Minneapolitan

Read the very next sentence after the one you highlighted, and you will have your answer.

You suggested that the sense of civic pride might be related to the winters, but you really didn't present your reasoning at all.

What is the connection? "Us against the elements"...?

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Minneapolitan

Read the very next sentence after the one you highlighted, and you will have your answer.

I get it now. People find something they love about MN and will put up with anything to stay.

[Miley Cyrus]

Originally Posted by moving123456

All Super America stations in the area offered any size ICEE for 99 cents during all of last summer.

7-11 justs licensed the product from ICEE and calls it a Slurpee.

Slurpee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's true, SA's selection is nowhere near 7-11's though.