The breadwinner’s just received transfer orders from some nice, cold place – Siberia, let’s say – and the entire family’s moving to Texas, or perhaps Arizona. While the change in scenery is going to be thrilling for everybody (except, perhaps, the fifteen-year-old who is convinced that there is no other appropriate clothing color than black), the utterly different climate is going to be a difficult adjustment for some.
You aren’t the first one to make the switch, though, and you certainly won’t be the last. There are plenty of tips and hints for adjusting to the new surroundings without losing your mind – or going to the hospital with a severe case of heat exhaustion.
BEFORE YOU MAKE THE MOVE (preferably right after you discover that this is going to happen)
-Try to schedule the move for a cooler month if possible. It’ll be easier to adjust to a Texas winter (which is a lot like many northern summers) than to a Texas summer (which is a nice preview of Hades, if you want the truth).
-Go online and read about the weather in your new home. You can access weather maps, patterns and trends, and “real info” from actual people who are doing more than just posting statistics on a Web site. You can access chat groups or message boards to have conversations with people who’ve been in the desert their entire lives.
Also: if you know someone who’s in the military, and therefore has probably seen all sorts of different climates, ask him or her about it. If that person has been there before, even if it was only for a few months of training, he or she can tell you things that atlases and The Old Farmer’s Almanac can’t. And that person will probably have very helpful suggestions for yourself, your pets, and your belongings.
-Talk to your car dealership about the change in climate and how it might affect your vehicle. If cars are built in certain plants for specific climates, they might not make the adjustment to a warmer, drier place without a little help. You might have to use a different brand of antifreeze, or adjust the mixture. There’s a slight chance that you’ll have to have something done to the radiator. Whatever the case, it doesn’t hurt to ask before you make the move, and therefore avoid any unwanted surprised a few weeks or months later.
WHEN YOU’RE PACKING FOR THE TRIP (especially if you’re driving)
-Don’t forget plenty of water and sports drinks to quench your thirst and build up the precious electrolytes that your body will demand not long into the move. If you move to, say, Texas, where everybody’s used to 100-degree days more often than not (throughout the summer, in fact), your body will need time to adjust to the extra drain that heat is putting on it. Forego the soft drinks for the first few days at the least, and keep plenty of cold water on hand.
-Make sure you have an assortment of clothing that is easily accessible to everybody in the family. The truth about hotter states is that they have chilly days too, and you just might want a long-sleeved tee shirt. Be prepared with the shorts and other summer accoutrements, but have the backups on hand too.
-Don’t forget about your pets. If you have a big, long-haired dog, such as a Saint Bernard, you’re going to need to make special accommodations for him during the trip. Make sure the air conditioning is turned on (jack it up, even), and stop frequently for water breaks. Continue this even after you get to your new home, and remember that your pet is used to much cooler temperatures. It’ll be just as hard on him, if not harder, than it will be on you.
ADJUSTING TO THE NEW PLACE (without collapsing in the middle of the grocery store)
-Don’t stay outdoors for long periods of time. Give your body the opportunity to adjust, and be sure to use sunscreen when you DO venture outside. Enjoy and appreciate the advantages of climate control.
-Keep an eye on the kids and pets. Don’t let them stay outdoors long, and make sure they have plenty of water and sports drinks. They might be enjoying themselves too much to realize that they need to go someplace cool and take a break.
-Don’t throw away the snow chains, ski parkas, or other “northern winter” gear. Even the warmest and most beautiful states have inclement weather from time to time. And you may really want to keep that ski parka for sentimental reasons.
Above all, enjoy your new home. Your town or city probably has a rich history, diverse culture, and fascinating people. Spend your free time learning about it, and meeting new friends. You’ll probably make memories with these people that you never would have imagined if you hadn’t made the move.
