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My family is moving from the Tampa area of Florida.
I broached the subject at a family meeting to see who might want to come, fully expecting it to take months to determine who and how many were going.
The IMMEDIATE consensus was that everyone is going. The lack of hesitation was so shocking that we had to have another meeting the very next day. That’s me, wife, 3 adult kids living at home, my mom and my daughter and her serious bf. Eight people. One big house (the logistics of moving to a colder climate would only make it harder to get together than now which we all agree is unacceptable. We really enjoy one another’s company and like the big family atmosphere).
The impetus began with my examination of climate (not trying to start a debate. It’s just a big reason for us). In 2015, Florida had an insurance crisis because the insurance companies redrew the flood lines as a result of climate data. That meant for a small time, homeowners couldn’t get flood insurance and some folks lost their homes for no reason than their note was foreclosed due to a lack of flood insurance. My concerns were bolstered just this week when I talked with my agent as I paid my flood insurance premium that just one more hurricane hitting Florida and they’re going to want to redraw the lines again. We already have homes that should be worth in excess of $300k that can’t sell for $200k like many along the Manatee River just south of Tampa because no one can afford the homeowners insurance which can be in excess of $8k per year NOT including the flood insurance premiums which can be way in excess of $2k per year.
So, between no one really vibing with Florida (and my two youngest basically grew up into consciousness here and barely remember CA), we wanted to look at cities that will fare better as Climate Change continues.
I also have to have a very good VA hospital and they are regional, which restricts where we can look. Experience dictates that I need to be within an hour of a VA Hospital, not just a clinic. I know what crappy VA care looks like and very good VA care looks like and I’ll NEVER, EVER go back to crappy care.
Colorado was a top option, from Fort Collins to south of Denver. Problem is that while many areas had extraordinary homes for our needs, the VA there is routinely rated as just awful, especially in areas that are most important to me. Finding this out was probably the most disappointing part of my research thus far. With my asthma, I dunno how I’d react to the altitude, but the VA caused this area to be nixed.
Seattle area was vetoed because of depression issues, especially among women. It’s already an issue for our family and we’re not signing up to make the fight tougher.
Oregon was a possibility, but the dearth of larger, affordable multi family homes (6+ BRs with mother-in-law suite) made that essentially moot.
Tennessee was a possibility, especially not near the Mississippi river, but there were some red flags in their VA Hospital surrounding the care I need, so that became a pass. Plus, the only homes that fit our needs seemed to be in rural places. We are restricting our searches to suburbs and exurbs. We live in an exurb now and love it, but we can’t really adjust to anything more rural than we’re living in now.
Pittsburgh, PA, and Burlington, VT were possibilities, but as Climate is a huge factor in moving, they were eliminated due to increasing lake effects and the expected increase in hurricane activity and Noreasters dropping even more precipitation on the entire Northeast region. 300″ of snow in a bad year would wreck some members of the family. Have to go with reality and everyone’s reality is important. Plus, Legionella was found in the water supply both at the Pittsburgh VA and another VA facility near there in Jan of 2017. Not signing up for Legionella, even if the Pittsburgh VA was excellent, which it isn’t.
So where does that leave us? Well, the possibility we’re really focused on is Minneapolis, MN. HUGE change from what we’re used to in Tampa, but we’re not only ready to be done with the humidity and constant heat (the nights here when I pick up my son from work at 11 pm are about 86 degrees with about 90% humidity. That’s at 11 pm, dammit!
So, obviously, with such a drastic potential change (still so many details to address to see if this is even viable), there are so many questions, especially about living in a very northern climate. We lived in Easton and Allentown, PA for 3.5 years so the adults have a clue about living in winter and my mom had to make several business trips to Minneapolis over the course of winter a few years ago (October to February), so she’s familiar with the area, a little and what Feb feels like in MN.
That said, living is a complicated thing. I mean in the 9 years we’ve lived in Florida, I’ve learned SO MUCH about living in a tropical climate that I had no clue about coming from the arid climate of SoCal.
So… is anyone from Minnesota? Can anyone give advice moving to a cold climate?
Btw, I’ve already done tons of research on jackets and boots and nothing would please me more than getting a Big Red Canada Goose Snow Parka, but I think I’ll have to settle for a really nice The North Face McMurdo II or Gotham (if jacket works better than a coat) which should be more than sufficient.
Also, if there are alternatives that I haven’t mentioned (I may have done the research, but the place isn’t on my mind. Or maybe I hadn’t considered it), feel free to bring it up. I’m planning a road trip to Minneapolis either mid-September or early October to do the initial scouting and if there’s a “break” or for some reason it becomes a no-go, then I’d sure like to hear about other possibilities. I expect we’ll love Minny and surrounding areas, but never can tell.
I know there are folks who live in ME, WV, PA and other northern states. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Sports is the crucible of human virtue. The distillate remains are human vice.
Are whole house generators a thing in cold? In Florida with all the lightning, it’s a pretty important luxury. Not exactly a necessity, but if the power lines go down (why exactly aren’t they all buried everywhere?) as happens in high winds and cold, what do people do and how long does it take for services to be restored?
I have a generator but I have never used it. It just seems like more of a hassle to deal with so we just go spartan. In winter, when the power goes out, we just have the woodstove and then an easily accessed drawer that has nothing in it but MANY flashlights and MANY batteries.
You mention layering. That’s just one of the key things.
I lived in Manitoba, then Indiana (don’t EVER move there
), then Chicago, then St. Louis. I then moved to southern Cal (Claremont then SD). And in so. cal, I swear, I missed winter. It didn’t feel right to do without winter. My wife on the other hand lived in Texas, then Argentina, then Italy, then Florida. Maine was her first time north. She adapted to winter completely and does not mind it at all and loves the scenic beauty of it. (Our area is heavily wooded.) So she is proof people adapt to it.
Though ironically I didn’t adapt well to living without it.
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Oh and (2nd post in a row)…here’s the dog in the path I snowblowed for him to go and do his business in the trees next to the house.
I live in Eden Prairie, the Minneapolis suburb where the Vikings practice (Winter Park).The truth is we don’t get snow like we used to. 15 years ago snowmobiles were still a thing, people would ride them to work and such. Not so much anymore.If you like to fish there is plenty of that though the ice fishing is only diehards left. Lots of golf. Very polite friendly people generally. Minnesota nice causes the famous Minnesota traffic jam “you go” “no you go”.Museums Concerts and festivals abound . I moved my wife here from Cebu , Philippines and she loves it.
So where does that leave us? Well, the possibility we’re really focused on is Minneapolis, MN. HUGE change from what we’re used to in Tampa, but we’re not only ready to be done with the humidity and constant heat (the nights here when I pick up my son from work at 11 pm are about 86 degrees with about 90% humidity. That’s at 11 pm, dammit!
So, obviously, with such a drastic potential change (still so many details to address to see if this is even viable), there are so many questions, especially about living in a very northern climate. We lived in Easton and Allentown, PA for 3.5 years so the adults have a clue about living in winter and my mom had to make several business trips to Minneapolis over the course of winter a few years ago (October to February), so she’s familiar with the area, a little and what Feb feels like in MN.
That said, living is a complicated thing. I mean in the 9 years we’ve lived in Florida, I’ve learned SO MUCH about living in a tropical climate that I had no clue about coming from the arid climate of SoCal.
So… is anyone from Minnesota? Can anyone give advice moving to a cold climate?
Mackeyser, small world! I live in Inver Grove Heights, MN now and I lived in Allentown, PA for about eight years. IGH is a suburb of Saint Paul, so I am here in the Twin Cities where you might resettle.
The VA Hospital is in southeast Minneapolis, very close to the MSP Airport. Sounds like you have researched the VA Hospital here, but in case you need a web link and phone numbers, here it is: Mpls VA The Minneapolis VA Hospital is on the Blue Line LRT, connecting downtown Minneapolis to the MSP Airport and Mall of America. Lots of other stops in between and lots of criss-crossing bus routes.
Adding to what ER said, the winters here are not as bad as they used to be, but it does last a solid four months here. Starts around Thanksgiving and lasts through March. We do not get as much snow (maybe 50 inches per year) or the prolonged below zero cold temps, but it’s still cold and it is often windy. When we get snow, it tends to stay around a while because the high temps may not get above freezing for several days. Minnesota Dept of Transportation is pretty good about plowing the state highways, the cities and counties less so. Gotta have a good snow brush/ice scraper for the car. We have a fairly large Somali and Hmong population here and they seem to have acclimated to the climate here.
Lots of winter activities in and around the Twin Cities. Several golf courses become cross country skiing trails, there is a new curling club north of the cities; Olympic teams from around the world train there. Winter Carnival in Saint Paul. All four major pro sports teams here plus pro soccer and new stadium (maybe) coming to Saint Paul. Lots of opportunities for continuing education, if you are looking for that; the University of Minnesota is in Minneapolis and there are several small private colleges in Saint Paul.
When looking for a home, be sure it has double pane windows and good insulation. An attached garage is also a big plus so you don’t have to go outside to get to your car, and the garage will be warmer than the outside. Being close to public transportation is also a plus in my book. Crime is an issue but mostly confined to north Minneapolis; that’s the only area where I do not recommend looking for a home. The Twin Cities is a big region; you can live in an urban area, suburbs or rural areas not more than 15 miles from both downtowns. Lots of locals have cabins in Wisconsin; many retired residents spend part of the winter in Florida or the desert to avoid winter here.
The Twin Cities is a very good place to live, despite the climate. Please let me know if you would like my help in researching a certain area of the Twin Cities.
I like the 2nd one but you would need a tractor or truck plow.
So either you do that or of course you contract someone. If you do it obviously you need the truck or tractor.
Mac!
I forgot about your housing search in the Twin Cities! If you have ANY questions about the neighborhoods where you are looking, please let me know.
We live close to the airport and VA hospital; maybe 20 minutes by car. Transit is really not an option from our area. Here is a listing close to the Snowman residence: Inver Grove Heights home
This house has five bedrooms: another IGH house
Here’s another: IGH house 3
OK, here is a six bedroom house, more what you are looking for and close to the VA hospital: 6 BR in Mendota Heights
And this one in Eagan: Eagan 6 BR
Please let me know how I can help!
Snow
Snow you;’re going above and beyond the call of duty for the sake of a huddle buddy.
That clearly merits pie.
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