Part of getting settled into your new home is figuring out the changing seasons. You'll have to deal with things like weather changes, holiday frenzies, and school breaks. All of these things will affect you and your daily routine, so be prepared for both the delights and difficulties that seasonal changes may bring.
Changing weather
If you're moving into a town that experiences all four seasons, especially if you're moving from one that doesn't, there are some things to get yourself ready for. Here are some things to consider for each season:
- Winter: Buy shovels and an ice-melting agent to keep your walkways and driveway clear. If you have kids, ask the school how they broadcast school closings and other notifications. Prepare your vehicle by purchasing snow tires and an ice scraper. You should also make sure your family has plenty of warm clothes.
Spring: Spring is often accompanied by heavy rains, so make sure you have umbrellas and other rain gear. The beginning of spring is a great time to start a garden or to landscape your yard. Doing these things at the beginning of the season will give your plants all spring and summer to develop.
- Summer: Depending on where you live, summer may involve extreme heat and droughts. Prepare yourself by purchasing plenty of bottled water so you can keep yourself hydrated. You may also want to locate local pools or beachfronts for some summer fun.
Fall: The changing leaves can certainly be beautiful, but raking and cleanup can be a hassle. Get ready for falling leaves by purchasing a rake or leaf blower. Also, find out if and how your town arranges for leaf pick-up. Some towns provide bags for you to put leaves into, which they will then pick up. In other towns, you can just rake or blow the leaves into a pile at the side of the street. A special truck will then come and remove the leaves. Find out your town's scheduled leaf pick-up.
Holidays, vacations, and other events
Holidays can often noticeably change the workings of a town. Holiday-themed stores may crop up around town or in local malls. The streets and sidewalks of towns may become packed with frantic shoppers. Ask around to figure out where the shopping hotspots are, so that can you can either join the fray or know to avoid it.
Holiday productions may also come to your town. Theatres and schools may put on plays, friends and neighbors may join together for caroling, and religious groups may hold special services. These are just a few of the possibilities. Again, you can ask around to find out about these holiday productions. Also, keep an eye open for flyers or other notices on community bulletin boards.
In the summer you may see events like fairs or circuses come to your town or nearby. These can provide a lot of fun for you and your family. Seek out these events and others during summertime. You may find some events that you and your family decide to attend every year.
If you're a parent, you should find the schedules for local schools. Knowing when the schools have breaks will help you in planning your move as well as vacations.
Knowing how your town changes when the seasons change is a good idea. You'll be more prepared to make adjustments, and, before you know it, those little nuances will make your new town feel like home.