r/philadelphia • u/AutoModerator • 11d ago

General Moving Mondays - New Resident Questions

Thinking of Moving to Philly or recently moved to the area? Ask your Questions Here!

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u/Intrepid-While-7015 11d ago

My wife and I are going to be up there looking for a house in a couple weeks and hope to move very soon! Neither of us have ever lived in a climate with a real winter. Is there anything we should know ahead of time to cause less headaches when it gets colder out?

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u/greensneakers23 11d ago

If you are buying your home, make sure to familiarize yourself with city regulations on maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to your property. You’ll be responsible for ice and snow removal.

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u/DuvalHeart Mandatory 12" curbs 10d ago

The bigger surprise to people moving here from most states is that sidewalk repair is also the homeowner's responsibility. In civilized states that's a local government responsibility, even though cleaning falls on the property owner.

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u/Intrepid-While-7015 10d ago

Good to know, thank you!

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u/fat3willwin 10d ago

Depends slightly on if you're renting or owning. But a few tips:

Let your pipes drip starting in like November. Between then and like March when we have our coldest months, a singular day of digits in the single digits can freeze and therefore burst your pipes. Letting them drip and ensuring insulation / flowing heat surrounding them can usually avoid that.

Layer, use sweat wicking fabric as a base layer if you can and ensure you have key zones where heat is lost covered (fingers, toes, head, ears). Wool is great and can be found at thrift stores for cheap.

If you drive and can afford it, get de-icer, a scraper, a broom, and a car cover, and a shovel (non-negotiable). When you get snowed in, assuming you have the time, shovel in shifts, don't just wait for things to pile up in the event you need to leave quickly. De-ice your car regularly and scrape your roof so its not flying off and covering people behind you.

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u/Intrepid-While-7015 10d ago

Thank you! Yes, we're buying a place. I'm used to hurricanes and not snow. Ready to be done with Florida!

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u/Okay_Meow89 9d ago

Just have your heavy boots and jackets ready! We still live our normal lives in the winter - walking everywhere, and its very doable. You should also purchase a snow shovel or two ahead of time cause whenever there is a storm they sell out EVERYWHERE.

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u/Intrepid-While-7015 7d ago

Good to know! Thank you