Just moved to Columbus, Ohio and scared about winter

[GADisneyDVC]

Okay, so we moved to Columbus from Georgia and I have no idea what I need for the winter. Please help me with the must haves so I don't get bogged down in the "what I could buy" for the winter. It's for my DD almost 12, DH and I. Thanks- I am so clueless! I guess it's no more flip flops in the winter for me!! : )

 

[aaarcher86]

Welcome to Columbus! Winters here can be pretty brutal but you will get used to it.

I highly recommend investing in a great winter coat and gloves. It's definitely not something to cheap out on. My personal favorite is North Face, but I know other people have recommended some others that they like as well.

Get yourself a nice pair of winter boots with lots of traction. The worst part about the winter here is the ice. It's killer.

We always have salt and a snow shovel handy to clear off our sidewalks and driveway area.

A big thing for us that we ended up investing in was an automatic car starter. Nothing worse than running out to the car in the freezing weather to get it running 20 min before you have to leave!

Definitely don't freak out about the weather. You will get used to it and learn for yourself what you need and what you like to have handy!

Whereabouts did you move to?

 

[GADisneyDVC]

We are in Westerville. This was a very quick move for my husband's job and we bought a house quickly and hope that we are in a good place. (I know, I know, not the perfect thing to do but....) My daughter is going into middle school and I don't know anything about sending her off to school in the snow. Do you wear boots over other shoes or what?? Are jeans good for middle school in the winter? Any help is appreciated. Would love to do a Columbus Disboard meet up!

 

[tavettava]

Get a snow roof rake.

 

[ah1126]

Layers are the way to go. Think turtle necks and sweaters, dresses, tights and leggings too. Make sure you have an ice scraper in each car and one at the house. You will want to make sure when you fill your windshield washer fluid that you get the winter stuff so it won't freeze.

 

[ah1126]

Also, keep a blanket or two in the car in case you get stuck out in the cold.

 

[Swmr359]

I would keep a small snow shovel in the car, just incase. (I got snowed in at work 2 years ago and digging out was not fun with just a scraper!)

 

[Hoopfamily]

When it comes to winter and storms etc, it's best to hope for the best , plan for the worst. You all need BOOTS, throw out fashion sense, and think nanook of the north. I love to ice fish, when the storms whip in here, I look like I'm off to reel in some whoppers. Buy the warmest, most waterproof, of gloves, hats, coats, boots you can, you will not regret this. Check out llbean.com. They have good stuff and if you hit it right the prices are good also. Warm and dry ears, hands, feet = happy winter.

 

[Gigi22]

Down-filled coats and jackets are the best for really cold weather. DH always insists on coats and jackets that have attached hoods--a good idea.
Also for your car trunk--a shovel, and a bag of kitty litter/sand (litter provides great traction if you get stuck). If you don't already have a cell phone charger for your car, please consider getting one. Also put a couple of candles and some energy bars in your glovebox, you will likely never need them, but it is better to have them and not need them than not have them.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

First off - don't freak out! You moved to Ohio - not Wisconsin or the UP of Michigan! We have lived in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and now Michigan (lower P). I have dealt with all sorts of winters and Ohio's were the easiest and shortest.

My DD is 12 and wouldn't be caught dead wearing winter boots to school - very uncool. She wore her Fuggs almost everyday last winter. I did purchase her a nice down winter jacket and cute gloves to match. Don't go over board on the gloves and such - think fashion then warmth. In middle school they would rather be cold then uncool! My DD wore mostly jeans in the winter - she isn't much of a girly girl so no skirts w/leggins for her. She also wore lots of T-shirts w/hoodies. You may find she wants to play in the snow, but she may not because of her age - you may need snow pants for that, but I would wait to see if she really wants them before getting them.

For me I have a nice warm winter coat - but I find that I wear my down vest with a sweater under it for most of the winter when I am out running errands and such because it isn't as bulky and hot. I always invest in some nice winter shoes that are comfy and warm - something leather and rubber bottomed. I don't wear boots - I guess I haven't gotten over the uncool factor (plus they get hot when running errands). I do own a pair of boots for playing in the snow and sleding but I don't wear them in public.

If you will be keeping your car in the garage dont' bother with an electric start - but they are nice if you keep your car in the elements.

The biggest thing is don't go out when it is nasty unless you have too!

 

[worm761]

An odd piece of advice but, if you don't smoke, keep a lighter in your purse. Car locks tend to freeze in the winter. If you just heat the key with the lighter, you can unfreeze it. I went to college in Columbus and then moved to New York. I always had a lighter on me.
A good winter coat is good advice and so is dressing in layers. For your daughter, I would definitely go with T shirts and hoodies. This way if she gets warm at school she can take the hoodie off. Buy her new jeans. Even if she already has some. I swear that the jeans in the south are thinner than the jeans up north. When we go north in the winter to visit family my jeans are just not warm enough. Another trick is wearing panty hose or tights under your jeans. It keeps you warmer. Don't freak out but good luck. When the first snow comes, find a big empty parking lot and practice driving in it. Remember that black ice can't been seen and know what to do if you lose traction.

 

[RachaelA]

At least you didn't move to where I live in Northeast Ohio. We get 4 feet quite often!

Will your daughter have a locker in middle school? If so, she can put her boots in the bottom of it and change into shoes. I never wore boots in middle/high school though. It was always shoveled enough that I could walk or my feet just got wet!

Honestly, I also never wore huge winter gloves/hats because they didn't look cool. Plain old gloves from Target or H&M worked for me unless I went sledding or skiing with my friends and then I wore a pair of thicker waterproof ones. I wouldn't stock up on snow pants and all the huge waterproof apparel unless you know your daughter is going to use it! I think from 7th grade through high school I used snow pants/waterproof gloves maybe 3 times. I just borrowed my brothers' or my friend's!

Snow scrappers in all the cars are important as well! DH and I keep them in our cars year round because we always used to forget and then the first snow would come and we were in trouble!

 

[dfchelbay]

Okay, so we moved to Columbus from Georgia and I have no idea what I need for the winter. Please help me with the must haves so I don't get bogged down in the "what I could buy" for the winter. It's for my DD almost 12, DH and I. Thanks- I am so clueless! I guess it's no more flip flops in the winter for me!! : )

I'd be more afraid of Casey Anthony there than old man winter!

 

[SDSorority]

Okay, so we moved to Columbus from Georgia and I have no idea what I need for the winter. Please help me with the must haves so I don't get bogged down in the "what I could buy" for the winter. It's for my DD almost 12, DH and I. Thanks- I am so clueless! I guess it's no more flip flops in the winter for me!! : )

Yep, you should be scared.

I'm just kidding

Driving in the snow around here is a pain because it likes to turn to ice. ODOT has been doing a pretty good job of clearing the roads over the past few years, though, so it hasn't been REALLY bad. For your car, I would make sure you have: Ice Scraper/Snow Brush. Blanket. AAA (I have used them many times). Shovel in the trunk, just in case. Anything to weigh your trunk down a little (kitty litter or sand works well)- this helps with traction.

As far as clothing goes: A good down or insulated coat- Kohls carries a couple of good brands comparable to Columbian that do a good job and aren't too $$$. Gloves. Hat. Ear Muffs- I like the ones that go around the back side of your head and fold up. Scarf. Long Johns (insulated long underwear).

Winter around here doesn't get as bad as say.... Canada. But coming from GA, it'll be quite a bit different. Practice driving in the snow if you haven't before- safe stopping distance, go slow. Some people drive like crazies around here in the winter (it's my LEAST favorite time of the year. It can be cold... but GAWD I haaaaaate driving in the snow... but Ice is worse)

 

[SDSorority]

I'd be more afraid of Casey Anthony there than old man winter!

Was that really her? I couldn't tell from the pictures. Of COURSE she had to wear an OSU hat... GEEZ.


...go bucks, anyway!

 

[SDSorority]

We are in Westerville. This was a very quick move for my husband's job and we bought a house quickly and hope that we are in a good place. (I know, I know, not the perfect thing to do but....) My daughter is going into middle school and I don't know anything about sending her off to school in the snow. Do you wear boots over other shoes or what?? Are jeans good for middle school in the winter? Any help is appreciated. Would love to do a Columbus Disboard meet up!

HAHAHA you'll be FINE in Westerville . Stay away from Rt. 3 (Westerville Rd.) during rush hour if you can avoid it- it gets pretty traffic-y. I'm subbing in the Westerville Symphony next week... if you're around, you should come out! 6:30pm on Sunday the 14th at the Everal Barn (I have no idea what that is haha- I'm not from Westerville but I used to work there.) You'll feel right at home. Take a walk at Hoover Res., check out Raisin Rack Natural Food Store lovestruc), I think there's a Costco around there somewhere, too. Check out Easton- I'm there every day almost .

You'll like it here-- OH and buy some scarlet (red) and gray clothing... you'll fit right in.

 

[Fire14]

I live north of Columbus and at tail end of snow belt. I own a land end jacket with hood, a columbia Jacket I bought at jcpenny when my zipper broke on my other jacket. I personally have fleece gloves I bought at target, and isotoner gloves I use for driving as that steering wheel gets COLD. I have a fleece head band/ear muff thing but as general rule I don't use it unless I'm doing more than running from car to buliding. I wore my tennis shoes or crocs 95% of winter, some day's I paid price for this. I do own snow boots from land's end but can't really say they are that comfortable.
My car has like 10 ice scrappers as I seem to pick them up at shows etc. I have one snow brush/scrapper I got from meijer or walmart. I also recommend a bag/bucket of rock salt or kitty litter in truck of car in winter months. I also have a small shovel in case I get stuck.
I personally have never had my locks freeze/doors yes but not locks.
Dressing in layers is key for sure on normal day I wear sweat pants with panyhose or leggings underneath, a turtleneck or t shirt covered by sweatshirt or sweater.

 

[fakereadhed]

I agree with PP that it's Ohio and could be worse! Not like you are moving to Antarctica.

Allow plenty of time on snowy, icy days to drive. It's like a rainy day in the south!

Buy boots before the first snow. After that the selection is pretty picked over. Boots are separate from shoes- you buy both. But here in MI no self respecting middle school girl would be caught dead wearing boots that were warm and functional. At that age they try not wearing coats to the bus stop. I see the jr high and middle school girls at the bus stop in the middle if winter with their arms only in an upside down hoodie because they don't want to mess their hair up. Maybe that's only MI where the hormones make them invincible to weather?

 

[ceecee]

We are in Westerville. This was a very quick move for my husband's job and we bought a house quickly and hope that we are in a good place. (I know, I know, not the perfect thing to do but....) My daughter is going into middle school and I don't know anything about sending her off to school in the snow. Do you wear boots over other shoes or what?? Are jeans good for middle school in the winter? Any help is appreciated. Would love to do a Columbus Disboard meet up!

We live an hour from Columbus and around here our middle schoolers would not be seen in winter boots, they do love the UGG type boots and they are really warm. Jeans and hoodies or layed shirts are fine for school and as far as winter coats that also was an issue that started in Middle School...they weren't cool, there wasn't enough room in the locker, etc.......I got an Aeropostale hoodie that was really thick and my DD wore that for most of the year. I ended up wearing her Columbia which was no longer acceptable.

 

[CarrieR]

The Costco is up at Polaris, not too terribly far from Westerville.

OP, welcome to Columbus! Winter here isn't too, too terrible. The last couple of years we've had one month (in 2010 it was the month of Feb, literally from the first day to the last) where it is snow, snow, and more snow. Other than that, it is cold but not terrible. Maybe a couple of weeks (scattered, clump of days here, clump there) of very cold.

I definitely agree about taking it slow in the snow and on ice. If you have never driven in snow before, it is a whole new way of driving. I grew up in NE Ohio, learned how to drive in the winter, and still managed to cause a major crash last winter due to losing control on the ice. When they say double your commute time on the news, they mean it. As you get more into the gist of things, you'll have a better idea of how much time you need.

One suggestion: have DH find out what the protocol is for reporting at work in snow emergencies. Everyone has a different system. Franklin county essentially never declares a level 3 (everything is closed) so he'll need to know what the plan is at his workplace, and when they consider it too bad for him to go out in. Schools close with some regularity (usually less than five days a year,) but you can watch the local news for the scroll or the school's website. Some districts also employ the two-hour delay, that is fun...

Westerville is a nice suburb, I think you'll be happy there. You're close to everything you might need and I believe the schools are good as well. And not terribly far from the airport! Flight prices to Orlando aren't too bad, either... green lot at the airport is $4/day! LOL