<p>I think that SteveMA is right about seasonal adjustment. I recall going to Florida in early May, and finding the heat and humidity horribly oppressive, but Floridians hadn’t even turned on their AC yet. It was probably in the 80s, and while I don’t like that kind of hot humid weather even here, I certainly can tolerate it better than I did when suddenly dropped into it.</p>
<p>2 californian kids to Boston and Philly here. No complaint at all about weather.
I prefer to work in the cold weather over the hot weather. My brain will cease functioning and shutdown itself if temperature is above 75 degree. I think we have cold blood.</p>
<p>My California kid is heading to Vermont next year. She’d like a new North Face, and maybe the jacket, not just the fleece, and gloves. But she tends to work outside in the early mornings in the sub freezing temps, so I’m thinking since she thinks she’ll be fine she will be fine.</p>
<p>Question on colleges with winters. Where do you put all the winter coats and boots? My other child went to UCLA. Do they build the dorms with little storage in LA because they can?</p>
<p>They fit it all in their closets, during the year, put boots by the door, hang jackets on the back of a door, over their chairs, etc. Funny, 1st year D1 had about 2’ total in a shared closet. She survived. This year, she and roomie share one storage cabinet about 36" wide (not even a closet; it’s an old home converted to housing- and they could fill a walk-in) and they survive. </p>
<p>Over the summer, same problem as all the rest of the stuff they accumulate and don’t need for a few months- comforters/sheets, some books, lamps, etc. You box it and store it at college or send it home. Where I live, some kids go in on a storage locker just off campus. My D brings home a box for a close friend because we’re within driving distance. At some campuses, storage space is limited- either first come, first served or limited to a few boxes. If she’s chosen her college, you can ask now. You can also check policies for them receiving larger boxes or trunks that you send. At D1’s school, it’s all very particular.</p>
<p>Texas to north east. It seems DS has been adjusting fine. He did miss the sunshine and heat sometimes.</p>
<p>Tangent to the discussion here: Many mentioned Northface. We mostly bought L.L. Beans for DS, just because we learned (from, where else, CC, mostly the parents) of L.L. Bean 6 years ago when we needed to winterize DS’s wardrobe.</p>
<p>Is the clothing from Northface generally considered a notch “higher grade” than L.L. Bean?</p>
<p>BTW, we usually ship (by UPS or FedEx) a box (or two boxes) of winter clothes, boot, etc., before the end of October to DS so that he does not need to fly with too many pieces of luggage with him at the beginning of the Fall semester. At the end of the Spring semester, we ship several boxes back by the same means.</p>
<p>^ No- and we have both plus Landsend. IMO, it’s just a popularity thing. We got the NF down parkas at backcountry, an online discounter. This year, lots of kids into Carhart, which I think is really for people who work outdoors. Lined workshirts and jackets, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks again everyone
Steve -No puffy coats. I felt like I needed a puffy coat. I saw some Uggs and some other boots. </p>
<p>Another silly question. I guess your pants don’t get wet? The paths are shoveled?
Are there places to hang coats in the classrooms? or do people just shove them under the desk/table?</p>
<p>On campus, mostly shoveled and sanded. They shove their coats or wiggle out of them and lean back against them. You get a variety of kids and tolerances- some hate wet pants cuffs and will stuff their pants legs into their boots. Not much different than dealing with a heavy rain in a warm climate. Depending on where her school is, she can go with a parka and mid-season jacket, then shop at Christmas break. Coldest weather isn’t til after then. Or, get an idea of her preferences now, prices, online options, and when she needs (or after she learns what’s popular there,) you have it sent direct to her.</p>
<p>I would say L.L. Bean is better quality than Northface and comes with the lifetime guarantee. But it is pretty pricey.</p>
<p>However, according to DD:</p>
<p>L.L. Bean = clothes for old people. </p>
<p>Their stuff is not very stylish.</p>
<p>I have the opposite kid. Went from Iowa to the Deep South for school. HATEES that it is always warm. Is thinking about transferring back to Unversity of Iowa because he cannot stand the heat. And it is hot here in the summer – 98 and high humidity is common for most of July and August. He just doesn’t think January should be sunny.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone
Lololu -I understand where your son is coming from
Sometimes I long for 4 real seasons</p>
<p>Ok, if they were just the thin North Face jackets, they probably had t-shirt on under them. Those are considered a lightweight jacket, usually used in spring and fall. </p>
<p>veruca–we went to Arizona last year for spring break. It was mid-80’s, but obviously no humidity. The locals had on pants and light sweaters, we were in shorts and tank tops :D.</p>
<p>I really think it’s best for the kiddo to wait & see what folks are wearing so s/he can buy clothing that will keep kiddo warm enough & be the right “fit” with peers. No kid wants to be wearing brand new strange clothing and it can be regional as to what kids are wearing. Why waste good $$$? I have made this mistake with D. It was SUCH a bargain getting a nice jacket I went ahead & bought it because she was freezing in her hooded fleece sweatshirt. She refused to wear it because it was “too noisy.” Paid postage to return the jacket. WITH HER & S, we bought her a new wool coat that she likes MUCH better & wears pretty often. It looks great and she enjoys it.</p>
<p>I have a daughter looking seriously at schools in Chicago and Rochester (we’re from the mountains of Virginia). Which has worse weather, taking into account temperature, wind, grey, and snow? I took her to Chicago in February so we could see what it would be like, but of course this year it was quite nice! She’s also looking some at Seattle and Portland OR, but thinks really cold might be preferable to constant rainy cool drizzle.</p>
<p>Just read posts out of curiosity. You all need to remember that cold does not equal cloudy, dreary weather. In fact, it is often colder when clear as there are no clouds to keep the heat in as it were- especially overnight. There can be many bright sunshiny days when you stare out the window instead of doing what you should be doing. Of course you also have to look at typical versus exceptional winters- such as the one with tons of snow or the one with cold/warm, etc.</p>
<p>We live in Texas and S went to school in Colorado. There is a difference, but he adjusted easily. The climate report for his college town had over 300 days a year with sunshine. He found it delightful.</p>
<p>He layered up, but did not buy a full “deep winter” set of clothes.</p>
<p>My California girl is going to school in Indiana, and in the winter, I usually have to ask HER about the blizzard I saw on the news. Pretty close to zero complaints from her about the cold. </p>
<p>She did have a winter coat when she went off to college, and got some fur-lined shoe boots during her first winter there. She has several scarves which of course, keep the neck warm, but can also be pressed into service as head/ear covering. Grandma sent her some silk long underwear which she now swears by. And DH sends her [ToastiToes</a>](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/HeatMax-ToastiToes-Activated-Warmers-Adhesive/dp/B0007ZF4PE]ToastiToes”>http://www.amazon.com/HeatMax-ToastiToes-Activated-Warmers-Adhesive/dp/B0007ZF4PE) which she tucks into her slippers in the evening.</p>
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<p>More kids struggle with the gray days east if Lake Michigan than with the cold. Mine left for those 300 days of sunshine in CO. Regardless, hat, mittens, boots and a warm coat will do. My roommate from Georgia showed up at our college back in the dark ages with thin gloves, no hat, no boots and a short wool coat. She froze her butt off and lived with wet feet freshman year and learned how to layer and dress by sophomore winter. I agree with Mamaduck…I’d take snow and cold anyday over wet rain.</p>
<p>Thanks!
This helps</p>
<p>DS adjusted to Boston ok. I was concerned because of the dreariness. And brrr… cold rain, my least favorite weather when living in NY. </p>
<p>Colorado has 300 days of sunshine per year, and snow usually melts quickly (only half the streets in town are plowed for all but the worst storms). Some kids that go east transfer back to CO state schools, perhaps partially due to weather issues. But that’s an ok thing - experiences elsewhere are enriching. </p>
<p>One factor would be size of campus and outside walking required. At some schools, it is minimal.</p>