Are you thinking of making a move to the Midwest? It may be due to getting married or getting a major new promotion at your job. Whatever the reason may be, some adjustments may be in order. Now is the time to get ready to move to a whole new part of the nation. Here are 8 handy tips to keep in mind when moving to the Midwest.
1. It’s Cold
Expect to be cold a lot of the time. The Midwest is the kind of place where winter settles in and lasts for a lot longer than you may be used to. Of course, there are a few benefits if you love cold weather activities. But if you aren’t used to it, this is the main factor that you will need to take some time to adjust to.
2. Get Used to Winter Driving
You will need to get used to driving back and forth to work in snowy winter weather. The streets will be icy. You’ll need to learn how to change your tires for the season. You may need to put chains on your tires. You’ll need to learn to drive on salted streets. All of these factors will give you a new level of driving experience.
3. When it Gets Too Cold, Order Out
It’s cold in the Midwest. Sometimes it’s so cold you don’t even want to think about leaving your home. When this happens, your best bet is to order out. You can order a Chicago meal delivery to cover your basic dinner needs. It’s a lot safer and more convenient than venturing out on the cold, icy streets by yourself.
4. It’s Flat
Many people dismiss the “flat as a pancake” description as a cliche. But there’s quite a bit of truth to it, particularly in areas like Kansas. Get used to driving across flat prairies where grain silos are the major landmark. If you’re not impressed, make sure to play the radio loud so you won’t fall asleep through the general monotony.
5. You’ll Have Lots of Snow Days
One feature of the Midwest that you may really come to love is the abundance of snow days. These are days when schools and jobs simply close down because no one can get to these locations.
Snow days will normally be factored into your vacation day allotment. Your kids will love being snowed out of school. Of course, they will have to make up the days later on. But, in the meantime, it’s a great excuse to stay home and relax.
6. There’s a Church on Every Corner
If you’re a particularly religious person, you’re going to love the Midwest. Religion and churches are everywhere. You’ll see more billboards for churches than anything else. This is something that you may need to get used to if you came from a more conventionally secular area. But if you’re looking for a church to join, these billboards will point the way.
7. People Are Very Friendly
Another attribute that some people may say is exaggerated is the friendliness that marks a Midwesterner. But it really is true in most cases. People in this region of the country really do seem to be more sociable and outgoing. You can make friends with people in a very short amount of time.
8. You Can Afford to Live Here
One of the most attractive elements of the Midwest is the fact that housing is so much more affordable than anywhere else. If you’re used to paying outrageous rent in New York or California, some of these prices will come as a shock. But the truth is that you really can afford to buy a very nice home in a Midwest location.
It’s Time to Make Your Midwestern Move
Now that you have a fair idea of what to expect, it’s time to make your move. You should have all that you need to prepare you for a major move to a Midwest locale. Once you get past a few differences, you should be able to fit in just fine. Chalk it up to your sense of adventure and don’t look back.
