<p>I live in northern Indiana. Winter sucks, but I’m not sure it’s all that difference from NJ. You could look up average monthly temps on weather.com or somewhere. What will be different is the amount of lake effect snow and the wind…the WIND. S. Bend receives significant lake effect snow. We only live an hr south of S. Bend (we receive much less snow) and my S was amazed by the size of the flakes. ND keeps the walkways and such very clear. He lives in tennis shoes year round.
The wind is the killer, but mostly can be managed with layers of fleece and good water/wind proof shell/coat, gloves and hat. Good luck in your decisions. I despise winter and I wouldn’t eliminate ND because of it.</p>