How do Southerns do with the snow? (Portland, Bangor: how much, townhouse)

[sherrlon]

We are looking to move to Maine because my family is from there, have lots of cousins there, and I have only been a handful of times but I love it. I have never been in winter and I have only lived in Texas and Georgia.

My family says we won't survive a winter there and people who are not used to snow and the hard work that comes along with it don't like it.

My question might sound dumb, but how much does it snow? We would be moving near Portland. Do you have to shovel snow off your roof like my Grandma says? I know ya'll are probably laughing but would it be better to live in a townhouse until we get the "hang" of the winters? I would not have a clue what to do, I have only seen snow a handful of times.

Any thoughts, or maybe even comments from people from tropic regions who moved there would be great!

Thanks
sherrlon

[stevenlear]

The amount of snow varies year to year. So far this year we have had no appreciable snow.. maybe 3 or 4 inches total!

How do you deal with it?? You consider it a reality when looking for your home. You count on a storm that may deliver 2 or 3 feet of snow and think about the length of your driveway, the slope and condition of the roof and then you decide if you really want a home with a 1/2 mile driveway off a minor side road in the country, or do you want a short, flat driveway that lands on a major road in the city.

You can contract with someone to plow your driveway when it snows, hire a kid from the neighborhood or just do it yourself. I actually derive some form of perverse pleasure from shoveling out. I take a little "good natured" ribbing from my neighbor as I have to see "black" before I consider it a job well done, while his attitude is "God put it there and he'll take it away".

I have never been "snowed in" while living in Maine, on the other hand, I have spent days not being able to move the car in Northern Virginia due to snow.

I have never met a friendlier group of people than here in Bangor. Not once have I been made to feel unwelcome by anyone. A good healthy snow can be a great bonding experience! I keep a pathway shoveled between my house and the neighbors so that even during the depths of winter we have easy access back and forth. Wouldn't want to miss out on a plate of beans, just because the snows too deep!

Embrace it!

[iloveitinmaine]

Sherrion - Don't fear !! You can survive the Maine winters !!! I laugh when people act like no one lives here because of the weather.....it's WHY I moved here !!! It's a blast - stevenlear, I also enjoy shoveling, especially at night !! We play, we plow !!!