ithaca weather

[gracietiger]

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I read a great deal about Ithaca being gloomy, having long winters, cold, rainy, etc. How bad is it? For anybody who can compare Ithaca's weather to Philly's weather, is it comparable or worse?

Thank you!

 

[Bisbee]

I read a great deal about Ithaca being gloomy, having long winters, cold, rainy, etc. How bad is it? For anybody who can compare Ithaca's weather to Philly's weather, is it comparable or worse?

Thank you!

I have lived near Philadelphia and currently live near Ithaca, so I guess I'm in a good position to discuss this. Nothing applies to this winter, though, because it's just been a mild one so far. In general, Ithaca is (statistically) cloudier, colder, with more precipitation than Philadelphia. But it's not like day and night differences. Sometimes we get winter storms that they don't get in Philly and vice versa. If you are making a decision based on weather, I don't think you would notice a huge difference between the two places.

 

[StartingoverVet]

That is a little on the optimistic side.

Ithaca is about 10 degrees colder in the winter (actually year round), so not only is it colder, but it is going to snow much more frequently.

Usually what is a rain (or freezing rain often) in Philly is snow in Ithaca.

There is a reason people call it gloomy.

 

[Bisbee]

Like I said, a little colder. I don't notice that there's much more more snow. ..maybe some. But both places have typical Northeast weather. Like I said, not very noticeably different (at least not to me). But in the summer it actually can get stiflingly hot in Ithaca (just like Philly).

 

[New Foundland]

i want 50 other applicants to each make a thread asking how the weather is in one place they are applying.

what a great forum this could be

 

[StartingoverVet]

i want 50 other applicants to each make a thread asking how the weather is in one place they are applying.

what a great forum this could be

???

Not sure what your point is. People start threads with very specific individual questions all the time. It is a fair question in the case of Ithaca.

You worried about SDN running out of storage space?

 

[jemappellejane]

But in the summer it actually can get stiflingly hot in Ithaca

Heck yes. I live in Rochester, about 1.5 hours NE. Summers are brutal- in some cases, dare I say it, worse than the winter! (Like this year, for instance).

 

[Bisbee]

Something else I just thought of: The real noticeable difference to me in NYstate is that spring comes much later...about a month later, than in the Philly area. The blossoms are late, the trees still look like winter, the days don't get warm as early in the season and springlike until later, and there's lots and lots of mud up here. That is much more noticeable to me than any temperature or snow fall differences.

 

[Bisbee]

Oh....another thing ( a plus)...we have the absolute most beautiful falls here in NYstate. No place can rival it.

 

[gracietiger]

Thanks for the descriptions!

I asked because I am very sensitive to the weather. Unfortunately, the weather has to be a huge consideration for me in deciding where to attend vet school. When I hear that Ithaca is gloomy, I can not quite tell if that is because it is so grey or if it is because it is so snowy and cold. I am from CA, and enjoyed that winters there (which I found to be gloomy) were at least short. I moved to Philly less two years ago, and had a really hard time adjusting last winter, but have found this winter to be OK (though everyone keeps saying this is such a mild one!).

I really loved the town of Ithaca (in the summer!) and Cornell, but my physiology just won't do a really overcast climate. I have tried light therapy and medication in the winter, but the SAD wins. I hate to include or exclude a school because of weather, but that's the case. And I have thought about visiting Cornell this winter, but everyone is warning me that this winter would not provide an adequate feel for a "real" Ithaca winter.

So, anyways, I am really just curious if one of the reasons that Ithaca is considered gloomy is because of it's lack of sunshine. I can do the cold, and would much prefer a freezing, but sunny, winter in Montana over a mild, but grey, winter in Seattle.

 

[Dsmoody23]

 

[TigerWillow]

Wow... I do have all these problems. Really sad that I can relate....

 

[TigerWillow]

But hey, I live in CA too and just came back from Boston!!! I was frozen, and it wasn't even that cold.

We are super spoiled here. Right now it's raining but it's tropical compared to 30 degree weather (it was 23 when I walked around Boston).

 

[Dsmoody23]

It's upstate NY. Winter goes from the end of October to the middle of April. It rains a lot, then it snows a lot, and it gets dark early. Lots of clouds.

I remember reading somewhere that Rochester, which is north a bit, had the second highest occurrence of rainy, overcast weather, next to Seattle.

http://www.homefacts.com/weather/New-York/Tompkins-County/Ithaca.html

 

[oxyjen]

I graduated from Syracuse University and my freshman year was a lot like this winter - mild, sunny, bearable - overall amazing.

On my graduation day in May, it was snowing. Ithaca is gorgeous but cold. I've often driven in blizzards to class while attending Syracuse. It's grey, sure. But it's not too bad. But it will definitely take your SAD for a long miserable ride. Winters are indeed longer than Philadelphia.

But the other side of it is that you'll be spending so much time studying inside that perhaps outside won't make a difference? I hope so!

 

[elizabeth22]

seriously, the winters can be really cloudy and grey--there were times during my undergrad at cornell that the sun did not come out for weeks! even when there is no snow, it is overcast pretty consistently during the winter. being distracted and having a busy social life helped, but i also had problems with SAD--luckily medications and light therapy do help me quite a bit, however. i personally am dreading going back to ithaca next year bc of the winter weather (although summer and fall are gorgeousss!). there was one year during undergrad that 6 students committed suicide!! obviously that was unusual since cornell has a low suicide rate overall, but it was a very scary time and i really do think the awful winter we had that year contributed.
that's just my opinion!!

 

[jemappellejane]

I remember reading somewhere that Rochester, which is north a bit, had the second highest occurrence of rainy, overcast weather, next to Seattle.

For serious. When we have sun on a winter day, even when it's like 20 degrees out, I swear people break out the t-shirts and sing hallelujah.

Ithaca is gorgeous

Don't you mean, Ithaca is Gorges?

But Cornell is an awesome school, has a fun little town, and is upstate is absolutely breath taking in the fall (as Bisbee stated) and the spring. Mind you, Roch did have snow on Mother's Day once...

 

[jemappellejane]

PS, gracie, I envy you for being in the position to choose a vet school based on weather... psssssshhhhhhhh...

 

[Dsmoody23]

For serious. When we have sun on a winter day, even when it's like 20 degrees out, I swear people break out the t-shirts and sing hallelujah.

I grew up there. You from the area?

 

[oxyjen]

JMJ - I didn't know if anyone else would get it!! LOL!

 

[jemappellejane]

I grew up there. You from the area?

Yep. Born and raised Rochestarian. Grew up in Henrietta. You?

JMJ - I didn't know if anyone else would get it!! LOL!

Jen- are you from the area too? Why Syracuse?

 

[Bisbee]

I live in the Corning area and did my undergrad at Cornell (commuting back and forth). The weather in these two places, about 40 miles apart, is about the same. I lived in Rochester for six months once while my husband was in school there (January through July) and it is a bit colder, snowier than Ithaca; and Syracuse is even colder and snowier than Rochester. So, I don't even know why Ithaca gets such a bad rap about snow and cold. In any case, I have lived here for almost 30 years (born and raised in NJ with short stints in other areas) and think that this Finger Lakes Region is truly spectacular as far as scenery, cost of living, etc. The whole area is "gorges"...I mean "gorgeous". Ha!

 

[oxyjen]

Jen- are you from the area too? Why Syracuse?

I went to Syracuse for my undergrad!! So I've made many a trips to Ithaca haha - but now I live in NJ.

 

[Dsmoody23]

I went to Syracuse for my undergrad!! So I've made many a trips to Ithaca haha - but now I live in NJ.

I'm from Perinton, just outside of Rochester.

Yep. Ithaca was my first 'road trip,' my first real party, my first camping trip... etc.

That was pretty much the constant destination when I was in high school.

 

[StartingoverVet]

But hey, I live in CA too and just came back from Boston!!! I was frozen, and it wasn't even that cold.

We are super spoiled here. Right now it's raining but it's tropical compared to 30 degree weather (it was 23 when I walked around Boston).

Honestly miss the weather in Socal a lot more than I thought I would, although this winter has been much much milder thankfully. (however it is snowing outside as I type)

 

[missdarjeeling]

But Cornell is an awesome school, has a fun little town, and is upstate is absolutely breath taking in the fall (as Bisbee stated) and the spring. Mind you, Roch did have snow on Mother's Day once...

I'll take snow on Mother's Day as long as I get the blooming lilacs on Mt. Hope and the beautiful fall. 😍

I live in the Corning area and did my undergrad at Cornell (commuting back and forth). The weather in these two places, about 40 miles apart, is about the same. I lived in Rochester for six months once while my husband was in school there (January through July) and it is a bit colder, snowier than Ithaca; and Syracuse is even colder and snowier than Rochester. So, I don't even know why Ithaca gets such a bad rap about snow and cold. In any case, I have lived here for almost 30 years (born and raised in NJ with short stints in other areas) and think that this Finger Lakes Region is truly spectacular as far as scenery, cost of living, etc. The whole area is "gorges"...I mean "gorgeous". Ha!

I've heard that Buffalo is worse than Syracuse in terms of snow. Everyone I know who was raised in Rochester says Ithaca's weather isn't so bad, comparatively, but it might be a shock for someone who's used to Cali.

It's also comforting to hear you're a NJ transplant who headed up north. I was raised in Central Jersey and will be moving to Ra-cha-cha in the summer, so it's good to hear that others from my home state have good things to say about the Finger Lakes region.

I'm from Perinton, just outside of Rochester.

Yep. Ithaca was my first 'road trip,' my first real party, my first camping trip... etc.

That was pretty much the constant destination when I was in high school.

You're from Perinton? My fiance and I are having our wedding a stone's throw from South Perinton. It's lovely, though it seems like it'd be pretty boring to grow up there. 😉

 

[jemappellejane]

missdarjeeling, what's bringing you up to Roch?

 

[missdarjeeling]

missdarjeeling, what's bringing you up to Roch?

It's all my fiance's fault. He grew up in the 19th Ward and went back to the area after getting out of the military. After getting his BA, he ended up moving to NJ with me. Things haven't worked out particularly well, so we've decided to go back up there. He'll be attending RIT for a Masters program, going for what we're calling a Rochester hat trick -- first MCC, then Uof R, and now RIT. What sweetened the deal is that I can do my prereqs at Brockport for half of what it would cost me in Jersey. It'll also help to have NYS residency for when I'm ready to apply to schools later on (at least, I hope!).

Some of his family are still in the area, and I've met a lot of his old friends from visiting a billion times over the course of three years, so it shouldn't be too much of a culture shock. Except for the goofy accent you guys have that I just can't stop poking fun at.

 

[oxyjen]

I'm from Perinton, just outside of Rochester.

Yep. Ithaca was my first 'road trip,' my first real party, my first camping trip... etc.

That was pretty much the constant destination when I was in high school.

My first road trip too! And I believe my first real college party too. Never camped out there, but did camp in the Adirondack's. Absolutely gorgeous. I even just like the road trip up there from Jersey. It's so peaceful - with so much land. And 81 is a speed trap like no other...

 

[Bisbee]

I love it in New York State, but I love New Jersey, too. I miss some things (like the pizza and bagels...you'll miss them, too. They're just not the same here). Also, no real NY style delis or bakeries or diners. I miss the NJ/NYCity food a lot as you can tell. But I also miss the Jersey Shore and the stores and shopping (we're renting a house at Belmar, though, for the whole month of June this year....can't wait!) I don't miss the traffic for sure, or the expense of everything. As for the accent up here...although it takes a while to get used to that flat A sound, I still do notice it, especially on people with a very strong accent. But you'll soon learn that we NJ folks are the ones considered to have the accent (though, of course, we pronounce everything perfectly in my opinion. Ha!) You will love it here, though. It's just one of the most beautiful places on earth (again my opinion). My husband also dragged me up here for school (he went to U of R...bachelors, masters and PhD). We just seemed to stick around.

 

[jemappellejane]

Hat trick- love it! I did U of R, MCC, and now Fisher, so I guess that counts too.

And, HEY! No poking fun! I don't think my accent is too bad. I spend a lot of time with people who aren't from here, so it doesn't come out so much. It will rub off on you, I'm sure!!

And Bis, this place is so hard to leave. I went away for a year and came crawling back. It just sucks you in.

MissD- good choice going to Brockport. I WISH I chose that school over U of R, considering cost and overall ridiculousness of coursework. It was extremely competitive at U or R, and very hard to get good grades. I know someone that went to Brockport and ended up going to Purdue vet school, so I think you'll do great there. Kind of a hike, but not too bad.

 

[gracietiger]

There is so much upstate NY pride here! It seems like people agree that the weather is harsh, but everything about the region is awesome.

I'm just such a sun-lover, and I'm afraid that once you get used to CA weather, it's hard to deal with anything else. I totally understand why everyone on the East Coast thinks people from CA are such babies about the weather.

But the food on the East Coast is awesome! Love all the delis!

 

[mooshagen]

PS, gracie, I envy you for being in the position to choose a vet school based on weather... psssssshhhhhhhh...

Ditto to that.

 

[Bisbee]

There is so much upstate NY pride here! It seems like people agree that the weather is harsh, but everything about the region is awesome.

I'm just such a sun-lover, and I'm afraid that once you get used to CA weather, it's hard to deal with anything else. I totally understand why everyone on the East Coast thinks people from CA are such babies about the weather.

But the food on the East Coast is awesome! Love all the delis!

Staying with the upstate pride, I did do a stint in Calfornia, and I found the weather there to be sort of....monotonous. I know the sunshine every day seems good to many people. But to me the lack of changing seasons and no snow, very little fall foliage if any...kind of bland for my tastes. California is a nice place to visit, but I didn't like living there. Also, the greens of the deciduous trees in the summertime that we have here in the East doesn't seem to exist out there (yes, there are the redwoods, but it's not the same). Anyway, to each his or her own, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that jazz.

Edit: Also, it's cold and there are some periods of harshness (blizzards, cold snaps, etc.), but there is a beauty to the harshness that many do not understand.

 

[oxyjen]

I love it in New York State, but I love New Jersey, too. I miss some things (like the pizza and bagels...you'll miss them, too. They're just not the same here). Also, no real NY style delis or bakeries or diners. I miss the NJ/NYCity food a lot as you can tell. But I also miss the Jersey Shore and the stores and shopping (we're renting a house at Belmar, though, for the whole month of June this year....can't wait!) I don't miss the traffic for sure, or the expense of everything. As for the accent up here...although it takes a while to get used to that flat A sound, I still do notice it, especially on people with a very strong accent. But you'll soon learn that we NJ folks are the ones considered to have the accent (though, of course, we pronounce everything perfectly in my opinion. Ha!) You will love it here, though. It's just one of the most beautiful places on earth (again my opinion). My husband also dragged me up here for school (he went to U of R...bachelors, masters and PhD). We just seemed to stick around.

We do pronounce everything perfectly!! I love NJ. And after living in FL for a few years (which was gorgeous an I loved it for what it was) I still am such a tri-stater, northeast homebody. I think that we has the best of all worlds here: 4 seasons, beaches, 2 of the best cities are right at our fingertips... Best hidden secret 😉

 

[TigerWillow]

Staying with the upstate pride, I did do a stint in Calfornia, and I found the weather there to be sort of....monotonous. I know the sunshine every day seems good to many people. But to me the lack of changing seasons and no snow, very little fall foliage if any...kind of bland for my tastes. California is a nice place to visit, but I didn't like living there. Also, the greens of the deciduous trees in the summertime that we have here in the East doesn't seem to exist out there (yes, there are the redwoods, but it's not the same). Anyway, to each his or her own, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that jazz.

Edit: Also, it's cold and there are some periods of harshness (blizzards, cold snaps, etc.), but there is a beauty to the harshness that many do not understand.

There are trees!!!! I swear! Palos verdes is full of them, and canyons and riding trails. Gotta know where to look.

And USUALLY we get lots of rain. each place in Cali is like its own state, where weather ranges. But yeah, our seasons aren't distinct. I love it tho. Dont really need to have two kinds of wardrobes To each his own. 🙂

 

[jemappellejane]

Dont really need to have two kinds of wardrobes To each his own. 🙂

I love the switch over of clothes between seasons! Plus we have more reason to shop more. So there.

 

[Bisbee]

There are trees!!!! I swear! Palos verdes is full of them, and canyons and riding trails. Gotta know where to look.

And USUALLY we get lots of rain. each place in Cali is like its own state, where weather ranges. But yeah, our seasons aren't distinct. I love it tho. Dont really need to have two kinds of wardrobes To each his own. 🙂

We don't have to "look" for our trees here...they're everywhere. As one of my friends from California said when she came to visit, "The East is really just over-run with trees!" (She obviously prefers her California, like you).

 

[Bisbee]

I love the switch over of clothes between seasons! Plus we have more reason to shop more. So there.

Yes, shopping for new clothes is awesome (and, granted, expensive). I just love the ebb and flow of nature here, in general.

Is that a picture of your newfie? If it is, she is beautiful! My black one doesn't have as full a coat and is still young (20 months) and thinnish (maybe 105 lbs.). My landseer is more fluffy and full-coated but even younger (14 months) than the black one (not 100 lbs. yet). Both females. Best dogs ever. And my gosh, what would we do with our newfies if we didn't have the beautiful snow here for them to frolic in? I can't imagine having this breed in a warm-weather place. They'd be miserable. In fact, even up here in the summer there are some days when I just have to put them next to an air conditioner and let them stay in all day and rest.

 

[Bisbee]

We do pronounce everything perfectly!! I love NJ. And after living in FL for a few years (which was gorgeous an I loved it for what it was) I still am such a tri-stater, northeast homebody. I think that we has the best of all worlds here: 4 seasons, beaches, 2 of the best cities are right at our fingertips... Best hidden secret 😉

Yeah, I've always been a total NJ girl...can't lose the accent (and why should I when it's the best). My food taste, my "amazing" sense of style (worked in NYCity for a while when I was young and spent every penny on my outfits). I still have family in NJ and am down there at least every two months or so. My son lives in Hoboken, which is an awesome place, and commutes into Manhattan on the Path Train every day. Gosh...this whole thing is making me want a bagel (a real bagel). I still don't understand why NJ gets the bad rap. Of course, there are the negative portrayals on TV (Housewives, Jersey Shore, Sopranos), but even before that.

 

[jemappellejane]

Yes, shopping for new clothes is awesome (and, granted, expensive). I just love the ebb and flow of nature here, in general.

Is that a picture of your newfie? If it is, she is beautiful! My black one doesn't have as full a coat and is still young (20 months) and thinnish (maybe 105 lbs.). My landseer is more fluffy and full-coated but even younger (14 months) than the black one (not 100 lbs. yet). Both females. Best dogs ever. And my gosh, what would we do with our newfies if we didn't have the beautiful snow here for them to frolic in? I can't imagine having this breed in a warm-weather place. They'd be miserable. In fact, even up here in the summer there are some days when I just have to put them next to an air conditioner and let them stay in all day and rest.

This is NOT a pic of mine (my last one was), but this dog is GORGEOUS! I'm playing the WW dog sanctuary game and wanted a better representation of the dog, so I chose this picture. I'll PM you some pics of her soon 🙂 But yes, we just got a fresh snowfall in Roch and Laska is LOVING it. She just shoves her face right in the ground. Adorable. Summer is fun for swimming with the newfs, but that's about it. She prefers to stay inside on those hot hot days.

 

[missdarjeeling]

I love it in New York State, but I love New Jersey, too. I miss some things (like the pizza and bagels...you'll miss them, too. They're just not the same here).

I know I'll miss the bagels, but the pizza I've had in Rochester hasn't been too bad.

Also, no real NY style delis or bakeries or diners.

Yeah, I only know of one 24 hour diner up there. ONE! 🙁

But I also miss the Jersey Shore and the stores and shopping (we're renting a house at Belmar, though, for the whole month of June this year....can't wait!)

Belmar is great! I usually head to Spring Lake - fewer people. 😀

As for the accent up here...although it takes a while to get used to that flat A sound, I still do notice it, especially on people with a very strong accent. But you'll soon learn that we NJ folks are the ones considered to have the accent (though, of course, we pronounce everything perfectly in my opinion. Ha!)

I'm a former linguist, so I always hear accents, even the ones I'm used to. My fiance has a mild-to-moderate western NY accent, but it really comes out when he's ranting about something or talking to his family. Oddly enough, my NJ accent is actually a pretty neutral Northeastern one - no strong 'aw' sound in walk, talk, no 'wudder' for 'water', so most people can't place me.

You will love it here, though. It's just one of the most beautiful places on earth (again my opinion). My husband also dragged me up here for school (he went to U of R...bachelors, masters and PhD). We just seemed to stick around.

Looking forward to it! And since practically all of my family is in NJ, we'll be going back and forth quite a bit, I'm sure. At least the drive is nice and scenic.

And, HEY! No poking fun! I don't think my accent is too bad. I spend a lot of time with people who aren't from here, so it doesn't come out so much. It will rub off on you, I'm sure!!

I'm immune. You guys will never get me! 😀

And Bis, this place is so hard to leave. I went away for a year and came crawling back. It just sucks you in.

No kidding, everyone we know who left has gone or is going back, even the "I'm getting out and never setting foot in Crotchfester/Buffalo again!" people. And of course everyone who stayed always talks about how they want to gtfo, but they never make a move.

MissD- good choice going to Brockport. I WISH I chose that school over U of R, considering cost and overall ridiculousness of coursework. It was extremely competitive at U or R, and very hard to get good grades. I know someone that went to Brockport and ended up going to Purdue vet school, so I think you'll do great there. Kind of a hike, but not too bad.

We'll probably be living either downtown or somewhere west of downtown, so it hopefully won't be too much of a hike. I'd love to go to U of R (despite the psycho-hyper-competitive undergrads 😉 ), but it's insanely expensive. So Brockport it is! It's good to hear that people have gone from Brockport to vet school.

I'm just such a sun-lover, and I'm afraid that once you get used to CA weather, it's hard to deal with anything else. I totally understand why everyone on the East Coast thinks people from CA are such babies about the weather.

Most people are babies about some kind of weather or another. 🙂 One of my college friends was from around San Fran, and if it makes you feel any better, she survived 4 East Coast winters, with a few blizzards in there. And we only teased her for maybe a week during freshman year for busting out the heavy down coat and winter gear while average temps were in the mid/high 40s.

Even some people out here are affected by the lack of sunlight in winter, so it's a valid concern. But there are ways to cope/survive and stave off depression if you're sensitive to the weather.

But the food on the East Coast is awesome! Love all the delis!

The food makes it totally worth it to live here, even with all the driving in the snow.

 

[Emiloo4]

If it makes you feel any better, OP... I grew up in South Florida for 23 years and moved right outside of Syracuse, NY almost 2 years ago. I am still getting used to the winters and the fact that I can never seem to get warm, even inside my house, but overall I 😍😍😍 it here! It is insanely beautiful (depending where you live) and the change of seasons is something I never appreciated until I moved here. The weather can be harsh, but you can also make the best of it. My BF and I love to ski, snowmobile, and ice fish, and our dogs have WAY too much fun in the snow! It is all what you make of it. Yes, there is snow, and yes, it gets cold... but I don't think it's any worse than sweating while walking my dog at 5:30am before the sun even comes up because it's so humid and nasty (in FL). 😱

 

[TigerWillow]

We don't have to "look" for our trees here...they're everywhere. As one of my friends from California said when she came to visit, "The East is really just over-run with trees!" (She obviously prefers her California, like you).

I'm a little late to this quote lol

I actually LOVE trees. Hence why I am applying east coast!! I would never say a place is over run with trees. Hence why i would never live in downtown LA. But I absolutely adore where I live. I think change is good, but I just need to wrap myself around being cold.

And we do change clothes for winter, but not as drastically. For instance, I do not wear north face.

But, I know my thoughts are falling on deaf ears. Where exactly in CALI did you live? (pssss it's a huge state 🙂

 

[Bisbee]

I'm a little late to this quote lol

I actually LOVE trees. Hence why I am applying east coast!! I would never say a place is over run with trees. Hence why i would never live in downtown LA. But I absolutely adore where I live. I think change is good, but I just need to wrap myself around being cold.

And we do change clothes for winter, but not as drastically. For instance, I do not wear north face.

But, I know my thoughts are falling on deaf ears. Where exactly in CALI did you live? (pssss it's a huge state 🙂

I lived in Santa Rosa (Sonoma County) from late 1998 - mid 2001 (during the school year but was back here in NY during July and August). Wine country, right? We enjoyed driving into San Francisco on weekends, antiquing in Healdsburg and eating burritos. I missed the abundance of trees, lack of fall foliage and lack of snow. When I first got off the plane at the airport there (it was August), I saw the big, brown hills and thought, "Oh my gosh, they're having a terrible drought!" But my husband said that's just the way it is. I thought it was strip-mined or something. Hills in the East are all covered with forests. I'd never seen anything like the landscape in California. Also, the houses are all so bunched together and then miles and miles of no homes at all (just those brown hills). I like to spread out more and have privacy. I guess I'm just a NJ/NY kind of person. I hate to insult a place, though, because "home" means something different to everyone. I still visit my good friend out there once in a while and really enjoy visiting.

 

[flyhi]

Thanks for the descriptions!

I asked because I am very sensitive to the weather. Unfortunately, the weather has to be a huge consideration for me in deciding where to attend vet school. When I hear that Ithaca is gloomy, I can not quite tell if that is because it is so grey or if it is because it is so snowy and cold. I am from CA, and enjoyed that winters there (which I found to be gloomy) were at least short. I moved to Philly less two years ago, and had a really hard time adjusting last winter, but have found this winter to be OK (though everyone keeps saying this is such a mild one!).

I really loved the town of Ithaca (in the summer!) and Cornell, but my physiology just won't do a really overcast climate. I have tried light therapy and medication in the winter, but the SAD wins. I hate to include or exclude a school because of weather, but that's the case. And I have thought about visiting Cornell this winter, but everyone is warning me that this winter would not provide an adequate feel for a "real" Ithaca winter.

So, anyways, I am really just curious if one of the reasons that Ithaca is considered gloomy is because of it's lack of sunshine. I can do the cold, and would much prefer a freezing, but sunny, winter in Montana over a mild, but grey, winter in Seattle.

GT, i can so totally relate to you. The weather in Edinburgh about killed me. I would much prefer sunny, cold, Colorado to the dark, dreary, wet, rainy, windy....

I know you fairly recently moved from CA and I will say that this winter has been exceptionally 'warm' and unusual on the East Coast. I have not lived in Philly or Ithaca (well, because it's not sunny and warm, frankly), but have spent a lot of time in the NY/NJ/Philly area over the years. I think that weather is dreary enough and the winters are long enough. This year was a piece of cake compared to most. I could not live there permanently because it always seems to depressingly grey to me, except for the summer.

Ithaca....I know zero about except that it should be colder and snowier. If it were both of those, yet sunnier, it would win.

Sorry, not much help except that I truly understand where you are coming from and that the weather can make a huge difference on your outlook of everything. Best of luck with your decision!

 

[flyhi]

Gosh...this whole thing is making me want a bagel (a real bagel). .

I literally CRAVE real, NY deli bagels. I don't know what they do differently, but they are to die for. I don't even eat bagels unless I go to NY. Nom nom nom.

 

[gracietiger]

I can't help but put in a little dig on the east coast.. Sure, the east coast has some amazing fall foliage and green forests, but for half the year, all those trees look like sad sticks in the ground!! I find the winters here so bleak and barren. In CA, I was able to hike (and even camp) in lush redwood forests next to a beach all year round. If I wanted snow - hey, two hours the other way was Tahoe.

Couldn't resist adding a plug for CA🙂 There are so many things I like and dislike about the west coast and east coast, I'm going to have a hard time deciding where I'd like to end up!

 

[flyhi]

Sure, the east coast has some amazing fall foliage and green forests, but for half the year, all those trees look like sad sticks in the ground!! I find the winters here so bleak and barren.

You just need to go about about 700-1000 miles south and you might think differently 😀

 

[gracietiger]

hi flyhi, i just noticed your previous posts, which i must have missed when i replied earlier.

i remember you mentioning that the weather in edinburgh really got to you. sounds like you suffer from SAD as well? it's always so hard explaining to people who don't have SAD that grey weather isn't just a mild inconvenience or just a little uncomfortable - it's often, at least for me, the difference between being high functioning and barely functioning. someone on the post earlier commented that he/she thought it was silly i was asking about a specific location's weather, and i totally understand that if he/she doesn't find the weather to be such a huge factor in well-being. but the sun truly isn't just a preference for me, it's a necessity!

just when i'm thinking this winter isn't so terribly bad (though it is starting to feel really long), everyone reminds me that it is so mild. i'm afraid of the "usual" winter!! i also travel back to CA very often (to maintain a property which i am selling), so i really haven't actually settled into an east coast winter. i get to escape to the coast and hike in the sun!


this is when i begin to really kick myself for not encouraging my hubby (a student at penn) to apply to school in colorado!