Is it difficult to live in Chicago in winter?

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Just Surfin

It takes some getting used to, and some preparation. Especially if you've never driven in snow before.

justnotright

not if you are prepared for it.

paoakalani

for me? yes. because i live in hawaii.

norsmen

yes the drivers are nuts.

John R

NO. You have fun in the snow and they have built in radiators and heaters to warm you. I know that cuz I live in Chicago.

alwaysbombed

Hmmm.. Here's an example you can replicate where you are now.

Strip naked, pour water all over your body from head to foot, and stand in the frozen food aisle at the grocery store.

If you can stand that longer than 10 minutes, you can last in Chicago for the winter.

HUH!!!!!!!

Yes it is.
It's so cold and the wind goes right through you.
We're next to Lake Michigan and it's too humid.
Cold - humid - windy.
I go southwest in the winter.

MaryBeth

Yes--similar to where I live--Cleveland.
It is an absolute pain in the a** to put up with Winter here.

Fitty4ex

Notas hard as living in alaska!

judith11center

Only if you don't like cold weather.

Queen of Kings

william b

just dress in layers. good luck.

Sam_I_Am

Yes if you do not dress for the weather.

simple one

No not really

Cattlemanbob

No. You just keep breathing in and out and eat food and drink water. If you keep warm and try to get some sleep that will keep you alive in any season in Chicago.

Genea_80

YES!!!!!!! Especially if you live by Lake Michigan like I do.

goldielocks123

I am a native Chicagoan. Lived there 24 yrs. I still miss it. Yes, the winters are cold and there is a lot of snow but it is such a great city, who cares? There is always public transportation to get you where you want to go if you don't want to drive due to traffic congestion or weather. Of course there's a lot of traffic.
It's a major metropolitan. I live in St. Louis now and I don't like it.
Too f........hot. Hardly any snow last year. There is so much ethnic diversity in Chicago and so many things to do. People are friendly. Wish I could move back.

rlrssweety22

yes very the wind chill will kill ya, feels like your face freezes as soon as you walk out the door and your whole body tenses up, not to mention trying to go to work with your car buried in snow

tichur

It's not difficult if you are prepared. The longer you live here, the more layers and types of coats, gloves and boots you collect. Most of my "moderately cold weather gear" was not needed last year. Only two real snowstorms that required a shovel. The "extremely cold weather gear" hasn't been worn in 3 or 4 yrs. but I don't have to stand to wait for a bus or train.

The popular expression for Chicago is, If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes. It will change!"

leila_park_101

sometimes when it's snowing hard but it's really nice and pretty when it's perfectly snowing.

BShakey

I live in Chicago. I love the change of seasons -- that makes it easier to endure the winters here.

It is cold and uncomfortable -- but like all things in life, you have to learn to make the best of it.

The last few winters have been comparably mild for this area -- not too much snow and ice.

I think you just adjust to it. It helps to plan a trip or two away to a warm weather place like Florida or the Caribbean, it is easier to get through the winter months.

There are just so many winter related things to do here in Chicago that you really look forward to it. Sports, blues clubs, concerts, eating out, working out, clubbing, going to movies, following the Bulls and Bears are all things that one does during the winter more than in the spring, fall or summer in Chicago. It is really good to go to a gym and work out real hard and then go into a stean sauna when it is so cold outside. Something about the extreme contrasts between the hot and cold feels so good.

Getting together with friends in our homes is something that we look forward to in the winter months -- dinner parties and Halloween or Christmas parties. Plus Chicago is beautiful in the winter, especially in the Christmas season with all the lights and storefronts.

Alot is said about how people from Chicago grow to be really "hardy" because of the winters here. I don't know about that -- but I know I look forward to the meals of hot homemade chili or vegatable soup that my wife makes in the winter that is just the best.

I love a night when it has snowed and to take a long walk and listen to the snow crunch under our feet as we walk along. It is so peaceful and nice. And then just when you are getting really chilly from the cold, you come home and have some hot chocalate and snuggle under the covers to warm up.

There is so much to do that is unique to the winter that I actually look forward to it. I think you would grow to really love the winter in Chicago.

Great question.

Hope this helps.

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