Someone who isn’t used to snow, freezing temperatures, and other factors may find moving to a cold climate terrifying. It is normal for you to experience some anxiety when you are not sure how to handle these changes. It is not necessary to overburden yourself with pessimistic thoughts because the adjustment will be simpler once you’re aware of every possible scenario.
Every overseas move requires proper preparation, especially if you’re relocating to a location with a lot of snowfall and low temperatures. Start with getting rid of stuff you won’t need and leave winter gear shopping after the move. Be aware of all the benefits colder climates will bring you, but keep in mind there will be some challenges to overcome. After that, learn some tips on adjusting and acclimating to a new environment and, of course, book trustworthy international movers who will ship your belongings safely and in no time.
Moving to a Cold Climate in Another Country – Prepare in the Best Possible Way
When you start to consider all sides of living in a cold climate, your anxiety about relocation might increase significantly. However, with amazing relocation tips, you will be able to have a stress-free move regardless of whether you are relocating in the winter or even during the rainy season. Additionally, if you are well-prepared, you will have no trouble adjusting to a new situation and environment.
On the other hand, many people also may feel overwhelmed because of the fact they are leaving their homeland. After all, you’ll indeed have to be prepared for some changes besides accepting low temperatures. So, make a thorough to-do list to keep yourself updated on every moment of the move, including all the needed documents for travel and commonly forgotten relocation essentials.
You’ll Need Winter Gear – Get It After the Move
If you’ve moved before, then you know how important it is to prepare everything before the big day, not to mention how this helps ease the entire move abroad process. However, this doesn’t really work in every possible case. So, what exactly should you do when planning to buy gear and equipment?
For example, let’s say you are currently in Texas. Do you really think you’ll get the best equipment in a destination like that? Surely not. Just get what you need where it snows and avoid the misery of packing space being taken up by winter coats. You’ll most likely receive both better equipment and a better offer.
Figure Out What You’ll Do With the Summer Stuff Before the Move
When it comes to packing, prepare to do some decluttering and donating. Figure out what to pack when moving internationally to a significantly colder location and get rid of everything you surely won’t use there. The first thing to deal with is your closet and all the summer clothes you have.
Sort them all out and check what pieces of clothes are worth keeping and which ones you need to toss. After that, feel free to visit some of the charity organizations near you or contact a non-profit organization like Goodwill online.
When it comes to the rest of your home, take some time to declutter it and set aside all the unnecessary stuff you surely won’t use in your new home. Check some of the tips in the video below on how to do it efficiently.
Learn About All the Benefits of Snow and Colder Weather
Although it might be tempting to spend the whole winter cooped up in your flat like a polar bear hibernating, doing so would just make you feel unhappy in the long term. That’s why it’s crucial that you try spending time outside in the sunshine as often as you can. Winter activities that are enjoyable and accessible can be found all year round, regardless of where you plan to move. For instance, many winter towns include locations where you may ski and snowshoe, as well as locations where renting skis and snowshoes is affordable.
Keep an eye out for winter celebrations and neighborhood gatherings; in many cities. Many cities organize annual festivals that include snow tubing and ice skating. Although the outdoor activities weren’t the reason for your move, try to enjoy them, and you’ll slowly become aware of all the benefits these climates have.
Is It Healthier to Live in a Cold Climate?
Although moving overseas to a place where snowfall is constant might be brutal, a study suggests there may be some health benefits to the colder weather. Your body needs to work harder in the colder environment to maintain its internal temperature, which could lead to an increase in calorie expenditure. Colder weather can also assist in lowering allergies and inflammation. On that note, check out other benefits of this relocation:
- Lower risk of diseases,
- Improved allergies,
- Increased calorie burning,
- Increased brain activity,
- Lower inflammation,
- Better sleep,
- Rejuvenated skin.
How to Live in Cold Weather – Be Aware of Many Challenges You’re Not Facing in Your Current Home
Relocating to another country can be difficult, especially if the weather is very different from what you are used to. It may sound idyllic to move to a charming mountain village with picture-perfect scenery, as you’ll be able to take advantage of all the outside activities, including hiking, skiing, and breathing fresh air. However, you must adjust to these new circumstances if you are not acclimated to subfreezing temperatures or if you get chills at the first sign of snowfall.
When you can, try to get outside to get some vitamin D, but be mindful of the risks associated with excessive coldness. For instance, exercising outdoors when it’s too chilly can potentially be hazardous. Wherever you go, ensure you have warm clothing with you. Going out of your warm house when it’s freezing outside might actually be deadly if you don’t have a coat.
Tips on How to Adjust to Cold Weather When Driving Your Four-Wheeler
Relocating across the world for many people means changing their lives completely. But, if you’re planning to ship your vehicle overseas to a place where snowfall is completely normal, you’ll have to take some precautionary steps and ensure everyone’s safety. After all, driving in the snow can be quite challenging, especially if you’re coming from a warm state like California. But how to prepare yourself for such a challenge? Practice thoroughly in a parking lot before you have to drive somewhere in the real world.
If your back tires lose traction and your rear end slides to one side, this is known as a fishtail. Although a skid can be quite scary, you should turn the front wheels in the same direction to counteract it (for example: if your rear end is swinging right, turn your wheel right as well). Overcorrecting, however, will only make you spin the other way, so avoid doing it. A four-wheel-drive vehicle could also be a good replacement for your coupe at this point.
Prepare Your Car for the Emergency Situations
In the worst-case scenario, you might be stranded in a ditch in the middle of a blizzard without access to rescue until the following day. That’s why it’s crucial to keep all the necessary gear in your car. What should be in a good survival kit? Here’s what you need to have:
- Thermal blanket,
- Non-perishable high-calorie snacks,
- Flashlight,
- Snow shovel,
- Ice brush and scraper,
- Water,
- Road salt,
- First aid kit,
- Emergency flares,
- Jumper cables,
- Extra pair of warm clothes,
- Whistle.
How Long Does It Take to Adjust to a Cold Climate?
The process of acclimatization allows you to adjust physically to the temperatures of your surroundings. It has a significant impact on how well you can withstand heat and frost.
People who spend a lot of time outside develop an “outdoor acclimatization.” Extremes of heat or freeze have less of an impact on these people because their bodies have adapted to outside surroundings.
In healthy individuals, acclimatization often takes place after two weeks. However, this response is somewhat slower when exposed to colder surroundings. Thankfully, there are a few ways that you can make this adjustment period easier for both you and your family.
Learn How to Acclimate to Cold Weather in Your House
Surviving the freeze doesn’t mean just taking care of acclimating your body. You’ll have to think about keeping your home warm as well. And, yes, it might not be what you signed up for when you said you wanted to live overseas, but it’s something you must do to get the best experience possible. So, perform a quick inspection of your new home to ensure everything is ready for colder temperatures:
- Seal the cracks,
- Check the gutters,
- Protect the pipes,
- Clear ice from sidewalks and driveway,
- Check the heating system,
- Test smoke detectors.
Prepare Your Body for Extreme Temperatures
If you know what happens when you live in a cold climate, you should prepare both your body and mind for this change. One of the ways to do it is to fight freezing temperatures with coldness:
- Drink icy beverages daily,
- Go outside more frequently,
- Don’t overdress,
- Shower in chilly water,
- Turn the thermostat down.
Take Care of Your Kids and Pets
No matter if you are relocating with a baby or a teenager, you must take care of them and be very mindful of their health. They may require more time to adjust to a new country and all the changes if they are accustomed to warmer climates because this can be a huge shock to them.
If you are relocating with dogs and cats, you should also think about some winterizing advice to protect their health and well-being during these chilly months. The most important rule is to let your furry friends inside (at the very least, in the garage) when it is freezing outside.
How Do You Move to a Cold Climate – Hire Reputable International Movers
You’ve come a long way just to plan the whole moving abroad process. But when it comes to shipping your stuff, it’s good to know you won’t have to do it all by yourself. No matter whether you are relocating for the first time or not, one of the biggest relocation mistakes is not booking a reliable international moving company.
Professionals Will Help You Move Efficiently
Move efficiently with the professionals, and don’t worry about your belongings. This will give you room to think about yourself – mental preparation is extremely important when it comes to situations such as this. So, check what services the relocation company offers. For example, a packing service will help you prevent things from breaking. Just be sure the chosen team can assist you with all aspects of your move – only then will you be able to avoid the relocation stress.
Embrace the Change and Enjoy Your New Adventure WIth a Good State of Mind
This relocation isn’t just something you randomly decided to organize. It’s a dream you’ve been planning for quite some time now, and it shouldn’t freak you out because it is something you’ve never tried before. On the contrary, you should be able to enjoy this adventure, and to do that, prepare yourself mentally for it and embrace all the changes you’ll run into.
