So just HOW cold is upstate NY?

[my3kids]

Specifically, the Albany/Saratoga area? Is it unbearable 3 months of a year..... 8 months of a year?? Would the towns be empty come January because everyone has escaped to Disneyworld?

 

[caitycaity]

if you are not used to it, it is pretty unbearable, imho.

most of the winter your hair will freeze if you go out with it wet, and your nosehair freezes together when you breathe in. i live outside of syracuse for 15 years and i don't miss the winters at all.

 

[chrissyk]

Where are you moving from? Honestly, if you aren't from a cold climate, it will be rough for you. I AM from a cold climate, and I can't take it anymore. We were born here in New England, but we just finished building a house in FL. I don't want to raise my kids in this climate. It's too harsh. I think that it's getting colder and the winters are getting longer. Or, maybe I'm just getting old!

I can't speak for Albany (about 3 1/2 hours away), but here in Central MA our winters are about 7 months long. It is HORRIBLE. Last year, it was so cold that a lot of people lost established landscaping. It looked like a blight had hit our area when the spring came. It's just awful! A lot of folks haven't bothered to replace the bushes either, because they'll probably just die again this winter.

 

[oldkicker]

I still live in the Syracuse area and it does get very cold here. The bigger issue here is the snow though. I don't think the Albany area gets anywhere near the snow that we do, but you can expect some very cold snaps anytime from October to April and fairly consistent cold from January to March.

Summers are nice though! All three months worth!

And yes, your nosehairs will freeze!!!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I've lived in Saratoga county for almost 20 years (the western, rural part), so here are some thoughts: We get an average of 7 feet of snow per winter. However, we've had wide variations--some years, the storms seems to pass south of Albany, some years, they go north. We generally have a week where the high temp. is 0 and low is -20 degrees. We try to make that our week in WDW, naturally, but can't always time it perfectly. Summer's are nice--it's beautiful farm country--with 90 degree days fairly rare. I make sure the kids have quality snow gear and they love winter sports (if they didn't, they'd be in trouble!). We have an in-ground pool, because it came with the house, but I wouldn't have paid to put one in becaus ethe season is too short--Labor Day and that's it.

I hope that helps you. If you have any specific questions, feel free to pm me. If you have a specific town in mind (I assume you're considering a move), I could tell you more about that area. Things can vary, depending on elevation, since we're at the base of the Adirondacks.

 

[my3kids]

Sounds like a MIGHTY cold place!

 

[KarenNY]

I'm a few miles outside Albany. It's a great place if you like winter sports (which I do not). We don't get the terrible lake effect snow like Syracuse, but we still get a fair share. But it is handled quite well. After a 1 to 2 ft snowfall, the roads are usually cleared and business resumes as usual by the next day. Winter starts early Nov and we can still have snow on the ground early Apr. Personally, I think May and Sept are the best months here. The lakes and mountains are nice in the summer.
I grew up in NJ and have been up here since 1972. I am getting tired of the winters the older I get and am looking forward to heading at least 500 miles or so south in 2 or 3 years.

 

[grinningghost]

I live in the Buffalo area and it can get REALLY cold. So cold that when you exit the supermarket and have to walk to your car to unload groceries, it's actually painful. The windchill factor is what makes it so bad most of the time.

Despite the hurricanes, I will still move to a warm climate in a few more years. I can't take the cold or snow - and I've lived here all my life.

 

[Pkaroch]

It's freezing cold, and I think it's stretching it to say there is three months of summer. It's beautiful in the fall though, and they at least know what a snow plow is, which is more than I can say for where I live now. If you're not used to really cold weather and long winters, you'll have a big shock!

 

[my3kids]

I go to the grocery store EVERY day and I don't deal well with pain! I think that kind of cold must be undescribable to someone who has never been north of Virginia in a winter.

 

[canwegosoon]

I live in the Albany area...not from here org., I have no problem...Get a good winter coat and gloves, and be sure to have a snow blower..you will be fine...the roads are always well maintained in snow/ice...PM if you have any questions.

 

[Divamomto3]

I'm in Connecticut. My husband works in Albany and I came this close to moving there last year, but decided to stick with his commuting part of the week and telecommuting the rest of the week so we could stay near my family. Albany/Saratoga gets a considerable amount more snow than we do here in Southern Connecticut. I don't recall seeing a huge temperature difference during the winter. This past winter was below zero for all of us Northerners so what's the difference between zero and ten below anyway? I would imagine that the winters will be a huge change for someone from Virginia and points below. The area is beautiful and the house prices are VERY VERY reasonable compared to Connecticut, but I can't speak for Virginia. I have days where I regret not moving there. The summer is short for all of us..Labor Day and maybe a week or so more and it's time for sweaters and light jackets.

 

[kellydizfan]

We live 1 1/2 hours north of NY City. It's cold from October thru April. We are looking at possibly moving south away from the snow as we both are starting to really hate the winters here. My husband is originally from Delaware - took him awhile to get used to the winters and the lovely driving during this time. I think that is the worse part of the winter is the driving in all kinds of snow, sleet, freezing rain, etc. We really haven't had much of a spring or summer either the past couple of years. Too much rain also (which is unusual) - makes for a long summer as you really can't enjoy it. Sorry but needed to vent.

 

[PamOKW]

A getaway to Saratoga Springs at WDW ain't a bad idea -- it does help to get you through the winter. As mentioned, year to year there can be big differences. This past winter was pretty horrible. Maybe this year won't be so bad (we can dream).

You will have cold and snow just about every morning from December-March. Snow could start in late October and could last into April. The main thing is to get your head around that it's just the way it is -- bundle up, get in the car and drive. The advantage to the Albany/Saratoga area is that it is real winter country and they do know how to maintain the roads. Here in Southern Connecticut most of the towns go into a panic mode every time it snows and it's a major ordeal to get the roads cleared. While it's colder and more snow, it's easier to get around up in Albany or Vermont than it is around here. The wind chills where you are headed can get very, very cold. Heed the warnings when they are issued and be sure to cover up to avoid frostbite.

 

[mtemm]

I grew up in a warm climate (southern california) and moved to a cold one (New Hampshire) for college. OMG, I can't begin to describe how cold it was. so cold I thought I would not be able to make it. I'm not kidding. I couldn't believe all of the people there who talked about how mild the winter was at my school because it was located near the seacoast. To me it was impossible. I remember walking around campus in October...OCTOBER, nowhere near winter yet, and getting home and literally waiting 10 minutes while I thawed out then bawling my eyes out. no way could I deal with the cold.

However....I got the right clothes, I learned how to dress for the cold, I spent a couple more winters and suddenly it wasn't so bad. I lived in New England for 15 years or so and never had an issue after that first winter or 2. I lived in Syracuse for 10 months last year and the amount of snow was unbelievable, but one thing I learned was that where there is a lot of snow, there are a lot of people who know how to take care of it. I now live in Saratoga, moved here last fall, and while I was on bedrest (twin pregnancy) for most of the winter it really didn't seem that bad.

but that first one really will be a doozy.

learn to dress, get the right clothes, learn some outdoor winter sports. It helps to get outside and not hibernate in the house all winter. there are so many fun things to do when its cold out! And now October is one of my favorite months...love that crisp bite to the air, lighting a fire in the fireplace, apple picking and pumpkin picking.

 

[Xtine76]

Yikes stay away if you can help it! This summer has been so cold that I have only been in my pool ONCE! I think it has gotten over eighty degrees maybe two days. Seriously considering moving back to Tennessee even though I am from upstate NY-the tug hill snowbelt to be precise. We once got 7 feet of snow in two days! Thank goodness I love to ski! But the summers are a bummer.

 

[Divamomto3]

Originally posted by Xtine76
Yikes stay away if you can help it! This summer has been so cold that I have only been in my pool ONCE! I think it has gotten over eighty degrees maybe two days. Seriously considering moving back to Tennessee even though I am from upstate NY-the tug hill snowbelt to be precise. We once got 7 feet of snow in two days! Thank goodness I love to ski! But the summers are a bummer.

Yes, we have barely been in our pool at all.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Originally posted by kellydizfan
We live 1 1/2 hours north of NY City. It's cold from October thru April. We are looking at possibly moving south away from the snow as we both are starting to really hate the winters here. My husband is originally from Delaware - took him awhile to get used to the winters and the lovely driving during this time. I think that is the worse part of the winter is the driving in all kinds of snow, sleet, freezing rain, etc. We really haven't had much of a spring or summer either the past couple of years. Too much rain also (which is unusual) - makes for a long summer as you really can't enjoy it. Sorry but needed to vent.

Hi Kelly, I am from Wallkill (about an hour from you, give or take), grew up there and moved to PA 12 years ago... we used to play you guys in Football back when I was in high school (82-86). Just wanted to give you a wave!

 

[MomofKatie]

COLD long winters and LOTS of snow! We live in the Southeast, but have relatives in the area and have visited during the winter. Wow-I have never seen so much snow. And it just stays on the ground all winter. I am used to snow for a day or two before it all melts away.

I actually have a recurring nightmare that my DH comes home and tells me he got a great promotion and raise, but the catch is that we have to relocate... TO SYRACUSE!!! He tries to persuade me by telling me I can buy an all-new wardrobe of winter clothes, but I just cry and cry!

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I am sitting here laughing or is that crying...
We have lived in Carthage (a little further north of Syracuse) for the past two years and let me tell you IT IS COLD in the winter. It usually starts to get bad in December and we went on vacation in June to Fl for the summer and it was 48 the day we left. So the winter lasts a pretty long time. I grew up in Fl and it was a real SHOCK that first winter. That year we had a ton of snow which was a real treat (thats sarcasm by the way) for someone who had never been near snow before. Last winter all DDs snow days were used not because of snow, but because temps were -30 and below with wind chill and the school said they couldn't guarentee the kids would be warm enough so they closed school. I hate going out when it gets that cold because it actually hurts to breath and you feel like you're naked no matter how many layers you have on!
Oh and a little humor in it, DH, who is stationed at Ft Drum, went back to work last January after a four day weekend and all the toilet water was frozen solid at his shop. Apparently they turn off the heat when no one is there and he had to come home to use the bathroom. Good thing we only live ten minutes from base.