Tips for Moving to a Colder Climate
Living in the Raleigh-Durham area has its rewards. Among the many benefits of the local lifestyle is certainly the beautiful weather. Although we have occasional cold snaps and even snow sometimes, we do not experience the harsh winters of many other states. So if you are moving to a colder climate, you have many changes in store. How should you prepare for these changes as you get your household belongings packed and loaded onto the truck?
1. Get Your Vehicle Ready
In cold weather your vehicle needs some extra maintenance. It will need antifreeze to protect the radiator, winter or snow tires and wiper fluid designed for the extremes of winter precipitation.
You should also keep some emergency supplies in your car, truck or SUV in case your vehicle breaks down. These necessities include a sleeping bag, jumper cables, boots, gloves or mittens, shovel, first-aid kit and a flashlight. It doesn’t hurt to stash some protein bars and water bottles, either. If it is winter when you are moving to a colder climate, you could need these items right away.
2. Get Your New Home Ready
The annual routine of getting your home ready for cold weather is something we do not experience in the South. But when moving to a colder climate, these preparations are critical. They include checking your pipe insulation and installing weather stripping or caulk around windows and doors. Also check your attic insultation and the energy efficiency of your furnace.
Don’t forget your home’s exterior preparation for winter when moving to a colder climate. This care involves cleaning debris from rain gutters to prevent roof damage. You should also drain excess water from your garden hoses, then storing them until spring. Have your chimneys cleaned and check furnace vents for debris or animal nests to prevent deadly carbon monoxide fumes from entering your home. Finally, buy a great quality snow shovel and salt or chemical ice melt for icy surfaces.
3. Prepare Your Wardrobe
When moving to a colder climate, your wardrobe will definitely change. Instead of beachy fabrics and short sleeves, you will undoubtedly spend more time in layers and cable knits. Ensure you have essentials like snow boots, hats, gloves and waterproof parkas. Remember to dress in a base layer, primary layer and a layer you can remove if you get too warm inside. Layering is the key to staying comfortable both indoors and outside.
4. Invest in a Gym Membership
Because we are so used to playing in the sunny outdoors in eastern North Carolina, you may have to invest in a gym membership when moving to a colder climate. When it is snowy or icy outside, it can be hard to maintain your fitness level or enjoy your favorite sports activities. But wherever you are relocating with colder temps, there are probably great facilities that enable you to pursue your activities inside. Of course, you can also take on new sports like skiing, sledding or snowboarding.
5. Invest in a Light Box
Because you are used to seeing the sun most months of the year, moving to a colder climate can be a shock to your system. Many colder regions experience less sunlight than we do in eastern North Carolina. As a result, you may find yourself feeling down because of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also called winter blues. But you can invest in a sun lamp or therapeutic light box to replace some of the sun’s rays. These lights boost mood by mimicking exposure to daylight.
6. Prepare Your Pets
Pets, just like people, must prepare for moving to a colder climate. In reality, we have to do this preparation for them.
Some things to consider are letting your dog’s coat grow out instead of getting a close shave at the groomer. Buy some dog booties to protect their paws on wintry cold walks. Also provide Fido or Kitty with a plush bed and plenty of blankets inside your home to keep them warm on blustery nights. Set a veterinarian appointment in your new town to ensure your animals start out their new lives on the right foot.
7. Choose the Right Movers
When moving to a colder climate, ensure you work with movers able to get your household belongings from your old home to your new one safely. Such a move requires experienced professionals that carry adequate insurance, the right type of trucks and drivers accustomed to inclement weather conditions. These professionals should also load and unload the truck with the utmost of courtesy. For example, your movers should take precautions to avoid tracking snow, ice and mud onto your new floors.
Branch Out Moving & Delivery has more than 20 years of moving experience in North Carolina. We routinely move our customers from the Raleigh area to colder climates like the mountains of far western North Carolina where snow and ice are common. When you are moving to a colder climate, our movers want to help! Call us today for a free consultation at 919-888-0090.