After suffering through massive snowstorms and bitterly cold temperatures for years, you nearly jumped for joy when you were offered a job in a warmer part of the country. The unprecedented weather that has taken the U.S. by storm over the past few winters has effectively dispelled any remaining affection you had for your home state. Although you enjoy watching the changing of the seasons, that small joy is hardly worth the six months of relentless aggravation that wintertime brings. Still, having spent your entire life in a state that’s known for its brutal winters, you can’t help but be a little nervous about relocating to a dramatically different climate. Fortunately, the following tips will ensure that you’re able to make a stress-free transition into your decidedly warmer new locale.
Find a Reliable Heating and Cooling Service
In your home state, a home’s furnace or central heater was its foremost line of defense against the untenably frosty weather outdoors. To keep the device running properly, residents needed to become acquainted with skilled heating and cooling professionals. It may surprise you to learn that the same is true for people who reside in warm weather states. Of course, in the latter case, heating and cooling professionals are primarily called upon to address the “cooling” side of things. Living in a warm-weather state without a fully functioning central air conditioner can be every bit as unbearable as living in a colder part of the country without a working heater. With this in mind, acquaint yourself with a highly-rated heating and cooling service soon after arriving in your new locale. These people will be able to swiftly diagnose and address any problems your central AC unit encounters.
Ditch Your Hefty Gas-Guzzler
As you know from experience, winter weather frequently gives way to hazardous driving conditions. Snowy, ice-caked roads are veritable breeding grounds for auto accidents. For this reason, many people who live in cold parts of the country invest in large trucks, jeeps, and SUVs. These vehicles’ large stature and four-wheel drive make them ideal for combating wintertime driving conditions. Unfortunately, fueling and maintaining these vehicles can leave a gaping hole in your finances. However, when living in a warm-weather state, you’ll no longer have to contend with slick, wintery roads, thus enabling you to ditch your enormous gas-guzzling vehicle and invest in a fuel-efficient sedan or compact car.
Sunscreen is Your Friend
If you enjoy physical fitness, living in a warm-weather state will provide you with ample opportunities to exercise outdoors. Whereas you were once relegated to treadmills and stair-climbers throughout the winter months, you can now perform your favorite cardio activities outside all year long. Keep in mind, however, that spending more time outdoors entails spending more time in the sun. To protect yourself from sunburn, sun poisoning, and skin cancer, make a point of applying sunscreen whenever you intend to spend more than 15 minutes outdoors.
Leaving one’s home state can be equal parts stressful and invigorating. When relocating to a place that enjoys year-round warm weather from a state that gets pounded by snow and frosty temperatures every winter, some adjustment pangs are to be expected. By taking the previously discussed pointers to heart, you’ll have no problem settling into your new home.