How do you deal with winters in Chicago? (Atlanta: crime, buses)

[Rusty Nailz]

Originally Posted by MarianRavenwood

Great winter wear is a must. Get a coat and some accessories that you love, so when it gets super cold, you think 'ooh, I get to pull out my special scarf' or something close too that.

Embrace hygge. Don't try to fight mother nature. The summers are gorgeous here, but winters are half the year (statistically, 50% chance of snow after April 1, 25% after April 15) and you don't want to waste half your life. So be intentional about how you want to spend the time (learning to bake bread, take an art class, indoor DIY projects, whatever).


And recognize that it's not just the cold. We will typically have a stretch of ~20 days without sunshine. Not just overcast but dark. Dark enough the streetlights stay on all day. Seasonal depression is more common here, so have a plan to compensate (light therapy, extra time with friends or family, or whatever works for you). Even on sunny days, the day may be shorter than wherever you are used to. On the winter solstice, Chicago has 30 minutes less daylight than St. Louis or Memphis. An hour less than San Diego or Dallas. Between the solstices and equinoxes, the difference in daylight shrinks and then grows again--but point is, most of the year Chicago has less daylight and fewer days of sunshine. Accept it and embrace it.

Your'e describing Antartica not Chicago. LOL.

[Kmanshouse]

Originally Posted by Rusty Nailz

Your'e describing Antartica not Chicago. LOL.

Agree. It's not that dramatic.

[Master Jay]

The question is: How are those from Latin America that are getting dropped off here going to deal with winter!!!........ Jeeeeesh!

[Rusty Nailz]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

The question is: How are those from Latin America that are getting dropped off here going to deal with winter!!!........ Jeeeeesh!

They're gonna suffer. Some will perish, most will survive. The ones that survive will be stronger afterwards.

[AAVC]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

I live in the suburbs in a single-family home, yes. When I had a home in the city, it was a mid-rise condominium with forced air heat and central air conditioning. The main benefit to two-pipe buildings and buildings with radiant heat is that those are master-metered systems. That means that the entire building shares the expense of that utility. The downside is that those systems have reduced individual control. One of my parents lives in a high-rise downtown with a two-pipe system. I had to take them two space heaters this week because the place was freezing even with the heat cranked up.

Yes, we are in a SFR now, and getting tired of dealing with everything ourselves... Much rather leave it to the HOA in a high rise... It is always about give and take in life...

[ToriaT]

All the tips about clothing are good. There is really only a stretch mostly in January of a few weeks, which we are in right now and today is the last of of what I call "unbearable winter". And its easy to feel cooped up then and not want to go out. Stock up on food stuffs, cook some nice comfort meals, watch some videos, and visit some cozy convivial restaurants during his period. Or order food to be delivered. Once the temperature gets in the thirties and forties which it will next week, I call that "bearable winter". In no time it will be spring, and the cycle will start again!

[Rusty Nailz]

Forecast for the next 2 weeks is upper 30s to mid 40s for the highs.

[GWoodle]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

The question is: How are those from Latin America that are getting dropped off here going to deal with winter!!!........ Jeeeeesh!

Same as any other homeless person. Many will camp out at O'Hare, Midway, any Police station. See them in the subway.

Too cold to have homeless "tent city".

[ChiGuy2.5]

Originally Posted by Rusty Nailz

Your'e describing Antartica not Chicago. LOL.

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

Agree. It's not that dramatic.

Agree. 20+ days without sun and DARK? Not in Chicago. I live across from a streetlight. It's been off during the day every day this year.

Originally Posted by GWoodle

Same as any other homeless person. Many will camp out at O'Hare, Midway, any Police station. See them in the subway.

Too cold to have homeless "tent city".

We hope! Libraries are also warming shelters. But unfortunately many homeless still choose to hit the streets. Many die every year.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by GWoodle

Same as any other homeless person. Many will camp out at O'Hare, Midway, any Police station. See them in the subway.

Too cold to have homeless "tent city".

There are quite a few large encampments in Chicago, actually.