Moving to a cold climate can be scary for someone who isn’t used to freezing temperatures, snow, and other “wintery” things. When you don’t know how to handle these changes, it’s normal to feel some anxiety. You don’t need to worry too much about the bad things that could happen, because the change will be easier if you’re prepared for everything.
Relocating to another country is always a challenge, no matter where you’re coming from or going to. There are a lot of things to think about and prepare for, and we’re not just talking about booking a reliable international moving company that will help you with the move. When relocating to a place with colder temperatures, there are some unique things you’ll need to take into account. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Moving to a Cold Climate Brings Many Challenges
Wondering how to acclimate to cold weather after moving abroad? It’s best to start by getting to know what would be the biggest challenges in order to overcome them. That way you’ll be able to adapt to living abroad as seamlessly as possible in the first period.
- Winterizing your home – if you’re settling into an existing home, you’ll need to make sure it’s properly winterized. This includes tasks like insulating your windows and doors, sealing any cracks or gaps in the walls, and making sure your furnace is in good working order.
- Driving – Driving in snow and ice can be dangerous if you’re not used to it. Make sure you know how to properly drive in winter conditions before making the move. You might also want to invest in winter tires for your car.
- Snow removal – in most cases, you’ll be responsible for removing snow from your property. This includes shoveling sidewalks, driveways, and stairs. You might also want to invest in a snowblower to make the job easier.
Although these challenges may seem small, don’t let them slip your mind and ruin the entire experience of your relocation.
What Benefits Will the Snow Bring
You might be wondering what are the reasons why people move to colder places. Relocating can be good for you in many ways, especially for your physical health. All you have to do is learn how to make the move efficient and easier. You can greatly improve your health and have a lot more options for things to do outside.
So, when learning how to live in cold weather and you think it’s just too overwhelming, keep in mind all those benefits this move can bring you. This being said, check some health benefits you’ll experience:
- Rejuvenated skin,
- Allergies might disappear,
- Fewer chances of getting sick,
- Increased brain activity,
- Better sleep,
- Increased brain activity.
It might be hard to live in a place where it snows all the time, but it doesn’t mean there are some amazing advantages you definitely need to consider.
Preparation Is the Key to Successful Relocation
If you want to know what’s the best way to learn how to adjust to cold weather – the answer is preparation. Now that you know all the benefits, you should be wondering how to plan your move and make this change go as smoothly as possible. It won’t be easy, because relocating to a cold place usually takes more planning than relocating to a warm place. So, don’t let yourself undertake a last-minute relocation.
Don’t worry; if you work harder, you’ll do better. Start by making a to-do list of things you need to do before you move. If you have this list, you’ll worry less about moving out. You can organize every step ahead of time and stay in charge of your activities. This means organizing important papers and getting all the needed documentation, like visas and passports.
You’ll Need to Bring Warm and Comfy Clothes and Shoes or Buy Them
What’s more crucial than learning to pack clothes, although you’ll have professional help and their packing service? This particular refers to chunky pieces that will keep your body warm and cozy when the temperature drops. The only bad thing concerning this is that these items usually take up a lot of room in suitcases and closets.
This is the reason you should come up with creative ways to store things, even if you are moving. Using vacuum bags to make these clothes smaller is the best way to do this and a relocation tip you definitely should use. Also, think about packing shoes that will keep your feet warm and won’t slip, especially the ones you wear on the day you move.
Take a moment to clear the remaining areas of your house and toss out whatever you won’t utilize in your new residence. See more advice regarding this topic in the following video.
Make Sure Your Car Is Ready for Bad Weather
Don’t forget to winterize your car and get the right gear, in addition to taking care of your health. It doesn’t matter if you’re relocating for the first time or not, when you decide to ship your vehicle overseas, you need to take proper care of it. Because you can’t take any kind of risk, you need to spend some of your budget on the following:
- Put up the winter wires,
- Check for wear and tear,
- Switch to winter wiper blades,
- Make sure the reservoir for your windshield washer is full,
- Put together an emergency kit,
- Keep the gas tank full.
Stock up on Appropriate Lotions
When packing your essentials, keep in mind how your skin will react to sudden climate change and low temperatures. So, get lots of hydrating lotions to keep your skin from getting chafed. You should also buy lots of lip balms so your lips don’t get dry and chapped.
Your Utility Bill Will Be Higher Than You Are Used To
In colder places, you’ll use your heat a lot more, so your energy bills will be significantly higher. One thing to think about is keeping your house around the high fifties. This will make it less likely that the pipes will freeze and break.
Organize the move to another country properly and don’t forget to notify all institutions of your relocation. Besides the higher energy bill in your new home, you surely don’t want to pay for the one in the old place too.
Countries You Should Consider if You Like Living in a Cold Climate
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to live in a cold climate. Maybe you love the snow and the winter activities that come along with it. Or maybe you appreciate the peace and quiet that comes with living in a more rural, remote area. Whatever your reasons, there are plenty of great countries to live in abroad. Here are just a few of the best.
Canada
Are you aware that winters can last as long as five months in the north and east of Canada? The temperature could indeed drop to as low as -40 degrees during these times. In fact, Canada is among the top three coldest nations. That’s freezing! If you’re an expat thinking about relocating to Canada, it’s good to know that the nation has set up infrastructure to help people live in very cold weather.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is one of Russia’s less-known neighbors. It is also among the coldest places in the world. There’s no doubt that its summer weather can be bearable, however, its winters are very cold. Usually, when it snows, it also rains, which makes the cold weather even worse.
Iceland
Iceland is a cold country, as its name suggests. The average temperature in this Scandinavian country is around 0 degrees Celsius. Because the country is in the north, it doesn’t get very hot at any time of the year, and even the sun’s rays do not even have a significant impact. In fact, -40 degrees Celsius was the chilliest temperature ever documented in Iceland.
Finland
Even though Finland is in Scandinavia and has some of the most lovely and breathtaking views and landscapes, its winters are some of the coldest and harshest on Earth. When the temperature drops to -20 degrees Celsius, they are especially harsh. The winters can last as long as four months out of the year! Still, if you can stand the country’s cold winters, you’ll definitely like the relatively warm and more pleasant summers.
Give Yourself and Your Family Some Time to Adapt
It can be tough to adjust to a colder climate, especially if you’re not used to it. Give yourself and your family some time to get used to the change. Try to keep everyone’s routine as normal as possible, and dress in layers so you can all be comfortable living overseas.
When relocating with kids, you must be extremely careful about their health. If they are accustomed to warmer weather, this could be a big change for them, so it may take them a while to get used to everything.
To avoid problems, dress them in layers and always ensure that their head, neck, and hands are covered. If they are having fun outside, check on them often to make sure their clothes aren’t getting wet. Remind them that it can be a risk to play or sled in the streets.
In many places with colder weather, the sun sets much earlier. But a light therapy box or sun lamp can make up for the lack of sunlight. These tools can help you feel better by making you feel like it’s daytime after moving overseas.
Invest in Some Snow Shoveling Equipment
Snow can be remarkable to look at it and a blast to play in, but it needs more care than other weather. You’ll need tools to clear snow and ice from your driveway and walkways. Your home’s roof should be cleared of snow and icicles. Often, you’ll have to dig your car out of the snow before you can drive it.
Hire Professional Movers to Help
When you move internationally, there are a lot of things to think about and organize. Hiring professional movers can help take some of the stress out of your move. They can handle the packing, loading, and transportation of your belongings so you can focus on other aspects of your move. However, keep an eye on the possible relocation scams and have the best relocation experience.
Enjoy Fully the Snowy Adventure
Relocating to a place with chilly temperatures can be a big adjustment, but if you’re prepared for it, it can be an exciting experience. Be sure to get used to the weather, learn how to drive in the snow, and stock up on supplies before winter hits. With these tips, you’ll be ready for anything!
