Relocating and Weather - Climate Changes Impact Your Mood

by Heather Markel
(New York, NY, USA)

One of the things that might take you by surprise when you move to a new place is how much the weather and climate impact your happiness in that place.

Often times, this doesn’t sink in until several months after you’ve relocated – I remember being really excited to move from New York to Paris, thinking about how beautiful the city was to me, and being eager to walk and explore the city streets. One evening, on my way back home, plodding through wet streets with my umbrella held overhead, I became aggravated. I suddenly realized that Paris is often grey or raining, and this took away my eagerness to walk around the city. Without that desire, I began to question why I was living in a place that I couldn’t happily explore.

What I learned from my experience is that it’s crucial to make sure you understand the weather patterns of your host country. If you live someplace sunny, like California, and you move someplace like London, or even Seattle, you’re in for a complete change.

Seasons can also have a big impact on your life. One aspect is having seasons, as in New England (Northeast region of the US), or not having seasons, as in Florida, or the Caribbean, where it is mostly sunny and warm all year round. The other aspect is “season reversal”. If you live in the United States and move to Australia, Christmas will be warm and sunny, and June, July and August will find you shivering and wearing your winter coat. It’s a very jarring experience.

So, before you relocate someplace, take care to research and understand that area’s climate and typical season forecast. If you are moving someplace with a vastly different climate, this will impact the activities you can or will want to do, so in conjunction with climate changes, make sure you take the time to find out what activities support the climate. In other words, if you are someone used to being indoors a lot, and are moving to a place where the social life revolves around the outdoors – you might want to consider getting some hiking gear, or good walking shoes, at a minimum. And, vice versa, if the place you’re going has lousy weather, it would help you to learn about classes and programs that are offered at indoor venues, as well as what travel agencies are best/least expensive, should you want to plan a getaway to a warm and wonderful spot!

For more tips visit culturetransition.com









The Culture Transition Reading Room contains articles contributed by Culture Transition Coach Heather Markel, author of the Learn to Feel At Home Anywhere in the World Relocation Success Guide and Social Success Strategies, both available in E-book format.

Heather's now got two new E-books out. Learn how to make a new city feel like a home and how to find activities you love. And learn the secrets of a successful overseas work experience. Learn how to prepare for the professional changes to expect after relocating. She offers a great 30-day money-back guarantee.





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