California Kid moving to midwest. Advice

[wannabedoc2000]

I am from california and attending school in midwest in the fall. Just wondering if any of you here have tips for me as far as things to pack, things to expect that are different, etc..? Any tips you all have for me are really appreciated. I am super nervous about this.

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[a5ie5lavida]

Where in the Midwest?

 

[LizzyM]

Make friends with someone (a fellow student of the same gender) who is from there and ask them to go with you to buy cold weather clothing that is suitable to local condtions. The early bird sales are usually around mid-October.

 

[wannabedoc2000]

Illinois

 

[BellaWriterChic]

Where in the Midwest?

Weather can vary depending on where in the midwest you are. I've have snow and ice in the winter (but mostly ice for me) and humidity and over 100 heat indexes in the summer.

Also be prepared for lots of farmland, depending on where you are going.

 

[drbatsandwich]

If you're anywhere near me, be prepared for disgusting, humid, oppressive heat in the summers, and ice storms that potentially immobilize the city for extended periods of time. If you currently enjoy spending time outdoors, get it in while you can. I lived in Utah for a while and loved to hike, ski, etc. When you're accustomed to pleasant (dry) weather and unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities, there's not much to do here besides get fat and drink. Can you tell I'm a little bitter?! Really hoping medical school will give me an opportunity to move away from the Midwest!! Good luck though 😉

 

[stubblesmcgee]

Is it a big city or a more rural locale? If it's more rural and you're not white, be prepared for more microaggressions. I think most people know what outright racism looks like and are used to the possibility, but things like microaggressions are way more common out there.

Also, you're more likely to need a car if you don't have one. Public transit is only meh in the midwest, even in bigger cities. Plus, parking is abundant so you can drive almost everywhere with ease.

Oh and, if you eat meat, take advantage of how good the beef is.

 

[B4y 4RE4 N4Tiv3]

Its Cold AF!

 

[raiderette]

Wait to buy cold weather clothes until you get here and see what everyone else wears. Expect to layer, since you will be freezing the first year while natives are still wearing shorts. Make sure your tires are all-weather.
If you are in Chicago, understand that there are times the wind and cold will actually hurt your face.

 

[candbgirl]

Its Cold AF!

Except for the last week and it’s been blazingly hot and humid. Almost can’t breathe outside. But I love the Midwest. Fall is fabulous.

 

[OtisO]

I live in Missouri and go to school in the Saint Louis area. we can hang out. 😉 lmao.

 

[Med Ed]

I am from california and attending school in midwest in the fall. Just wondering if any of you here have tips for me as far as things to pack, things to expect that are different, etc..? Any tips you all have for me are really appreciated. I am super nervous about this.

When you meet new people start every other sentence with "Back in California..."

Be prepared for it to take a good 24 months before you feel truly familiar with, and comfortable in, the new place. If you don't take to it quickly do not despair. Also, remember that every part of the country has unique history, culture, music, and food.* Try to find and enjoy those aspects of your new environment.




*Except Ohio.

 

[trobinsonmd]

Stock up on food, water, and other stuff you will need. It's nice to not have to go to the supermarket when it's hammering down snow outside and there's black ice everywhere...

 

[3toedsloth]

Buy one of those puffer jackets that you can stuff into a bag. It’s good with wind and very cold weather, but is breathable and easy to travel with.

Something like this: Women's Primaloft Travel Parka / Nimbus Travel Parka -- Orvis

 

[sunshine859]

Seconding all that's been said before! All of my advice is related to If you're bringing a car. Buy yourself a decent quality car scraper/snow brush combo. (The earlier the better--you don't want to be stuck without one at the first snowfall.) You can get them really cheap, but be sure to get one that has a long enough handle that you can reach all the way across your car (as a shorter person, I have an extendable scraper). With that in mind, in certain parts of the Midwest, you will need to scrape a layer of frost off of your car every single winter morning. If you're someone who drives everyday, you'll quickly get used to having to spend an extra 5-10 minutes scraping off of your car, but, if you're only using it now and then, it can be easy to forget that you'll need to budget that extra time.

Make sure your car has decent tires, and I also recommend having conversations with a classmate who's driven in ice/snow before about how you'll need to change your driving in the winter (AKA: slow down!) and what to do if your car starts sliding on ice.

The other thing that really helped me in college was storing a snow shovel in my car. Snowplows notoriously don't care, and you can get "plowed in," with parts of your car stuck under about 3 feet of snow.

 

[Robin-jay]

I am from california and attending school in midwest in the fall. Just wondering if any of you here have tips for me as far as things to pack, things to expect that are different, etc..? Any tips you all have for me are really appreciated. I am super nervous about this.

Midwest >>>>>> Cali

Should have a nice time adjusting.

 

[deleted916225]

Beware of Minnesota nice (Minnesotan here) but most midwesterners are genuinely kind. The winters are long and cold - think -20/-30's. Get a good jacket and winter boots and always bring hats/mittens in the car during the winter. Summer is awful. There's lots of corn and not much else.

 

[theKingLT]

Only thing to add is focus on the unique and positive things of the area. IMO no one beats the Midwest in friendliness and baseball! Also beer and cheap cost of living is always a plus

 

[puahate]

Only thing to add is focus on the unique and positive things of the area. IMO no one beats the Midwest in friendliness and baseball! Also beer and cheap cost of living is always a plus

This depends on who you are and what sports you like.

Cheap is always good though

 

[raiderette]

Only thing to add is focus on the unique and positive things of the area. IMO no one beats the Midwest in friendliness and baseball! Also beer and cheap cost of living is always a plus

Also, this is a good time to experience things like county fairs, summer festivals, car shows. Fun isn't as obvious, but go to that new restaurant, see local bands. Be sure to enjoy spring and fall.

 

[DoctorSwagger]

If you aren’t in one of the big cities in IL you will need a car


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[Ad2b]

Beware of Minnesota nice

It's Minnesota Polite 😛 (Minnesotan here)...

Also: Helly Hansen >>> Patagonia >>> Columbia >>> North Face >>> ??? and worth the investment.

 

[Catalystik]

Only thing to add is focus on the unique and positive things of the area. IMO no one beats the Midwest in friendliness and baseball! Also beer and cheap cost of living is always a plus

. . . and Chicago-style pizza. And way cheaper gas. And highway-entry ramps longer than 50 feet.

 

[863168]

@wannabedoc2000 There are less wifi hotspots in the Midwest than in California.

 

[wysdoc]

Make friends with someone (a fellow student of the same gender) who is from there and ask them to go with you to buy cold weather clothing that is suitable to local condtions. The early bird sales are usually around mid-October.

Best advice right here. Also get leather gloves - not the thin stylish ones, the padded ski or snowmobile type gloves.

 

[Tenk]

Buy an ice scraper.

 

[Sagebrush]

In addition to all the outwear everyone has already suggested, buy some hothands (or other brand) hand warmers and toe warmers. Keep them stashed in your apartment, your car, your bag, any little space you can.

 

[raiderette]

Best advice right here. Also get leather gloves.

Leather gloves are not always going to be warm enough. Scarves are your friend. Get salt for your steps, buy boots and learn about dibs if you are in Chicago.

 

[Sagebrush]

Leather gloves are not always going to be warm enough. Scarves are your friend. Get salt for your steps, buy boots and learn about dibs if you are in Chicago.

Yak tracks >>>>>> salt!

 

[drbatsandwich]

St. Louis/somewhere near Missouri/Illinois?

Close, Kansas City 🙂

 

[wannabedoc2000]

Leather gloves are not always going to be warm enough. Scarves are your friend. Get salt for your steps, buy boots and learn about dibs if you are in Chicago.

any recommendation on boots? also, what are dibs? lol the only dibs I know is the ice cream.

 

[btuck]

Are you going to Rosalind Franklin? If so, we can be friends!

 

[candbgirl]

any recommendation on boots? also, what are dibs? lol the only dibs I know is the ice cream.

Goggle Chicago Dibs. It’s a thing and it’s good you know before it snows hard.

 

[DSM_302.0]

Longtime California resident who spent his first 18 in Illinois.

Illinois knows how to drive! Left lanes are for passing, middle for cruising, right for the elderly and the merging / exiting. Just drive fast on the on ramp, everyone makes way for you. Driving in California still drives me nuts, even after all these years.

Midwestern folks are nice! They don't pry, but they like to gossip.

Layers are key. Boots. Lovers to hibernate with in winter, friends to party with in summer. Don't be throw off when the weather first hits 55 and prople wear shorts. It feels amazing to have the sun on your skin after bundling every inch for months and months on end. We get it, it's not warm, but it's nice.

It sucks to leave for school when it's still dark, and return home when it's dark. You might want to look into those sun lamps used to treat SAD or psoriasis.

Lake Michigan is incredible. Go swimming and sailing and beaching in the summer, ice fishing in the winter. It's better than it sounds! There is a fireplace in your ice shanty and you can fish on the ice in your underwear. I've done this in Wisconsin.

Yeah but the coats. Get a big down one that goes past your knees. You won't regret it.

I love California but there's lots to love in Illinois too! Good luck!

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Does anyone know of a coat similar to Cabela’s Elite Trail Suit? I hate the cold, and am looking for a coat that is atleast past my knees and bulky.

Link: https://www.cabelas.com/product/Cab...s-Alaska-Elite-Trail-Suit-Regular/1386513.uts

P.S. I take winter very seriously

 

[wannabedoc2000]

Are you going to Rosalind Franklin? If so, we can be friends!

Hey! Yea I am actually! I will message you

 

[getdown]

Don't keep talking about how much better California is compared to wherever you are. It's annoying and disrespectful.

 

[smukke]

Buy 2 scrapers. Leave one in your house to use so you can get snow off the driver's side (or whatever door you open first) before you open the door, helps minimize the amount of snow you get in the car.

I bought a remote starter ($250 installed at Best Buy, they run a similar sale every year in Nov), best money I spent in 3rd year😉

 

[raiderette]

Hey! Yea I am actually! I will message you

You probably won't need to worry about dibs, but jit is a way to save your hard-earned parking spot with a chair, table or appropriate piece of furniture. You will be in the suburbs, so you should be fine.
You can learn to love the Midwest. As a California native, Midwest transplant and Southern hostage, I expect you will like it.

 

[katie24seven]

If you're planning on doing a lot of driving around the Chicagoland area (like driving to and from O'Hare even) consider purchasing an I Pass for the toll roads, they've designed the toll lanes so that it's difficult to merge over to a booth that accepts cash when you have to pay up every several miles, especially during high traffic times.

Keeping the winter weather in mind, find housing that has in-building if not in-unit laundry so you aren't toting clean laundry through a snowstorm.

Purchase winter coats and appearal in IL because they actually sell pared down winter clothes out west than in the states were you actually need them. Any coat that comes to your knees will be great. Tall winter boots are also preferable so snow drifts in parking lots/around your car won't get your feet wet.

 

[DexterMorganSK]

Get one of those by Oct 🙂
RFU is great, many Cali kids here. Congrats!