When my aunt moved south to Griffin, Georgia, a quaint little southern town just outside of Atlanta, both my mom and I were excited to visit from Michigan. We were looking forward to trying some of that southern comfort food – I especially looked forward to the fried chicken. We learned that it did not take my aunt long to adjust to Georgia’s way of living and cuisine because she’s a big woman and enjoys eating.
There are several factors to consider before relocating to a warmer climate. First, if you are doing it for health reasons, make sure to consult with your home healthcare team and doctors. They can provide information about how warm weather will affect your specific health condition, referrals, and areas to consider moving to that specialize in specific medical conditions.
Researching the cost of living in various warm-weather locations is also essential. Some places are significantly more expensive than others, and you want to ensure you can afford your new lifestyle.
If you are like my aunt and have family and friends living back home in the North, be sure to host a going-away party before making the move.
Here’s a lighthearted list to consider:
- Get a tan
If you’re moving from up north, chances are you’re not going to be used to the intense southern heat. Make sure to get a good base tan before you move. Thankfully, our family is from Sicily, so we naturally have a darker, more olive-colored skin tone.
- Learn to speak Southern
The South has its own unique dialect, and if you want to fit in, you’re going to have to learn how to decipher what the heck they are saying! For example, things like “y’all”, “fixin’ to”, or “carry you to the store” are some slang terms to get acquainted with
- Let go of that bulky snow gear!
Unless you’re planning on moving to the mountains, you will no longer need your snow gear. Get rid of those heavy coats, boots, etc. When my friend moved to Florida, she gave me some really lovely coats that I still have today!
- Learn BBQ
Barbecue is a big deal in the South, and if you want to fit in, you will need to learn about it. Find out what the different regional styles are and what kind of meat is typically used. For instance, in North Carolina, their BBQ sauce is more of a yellow color because they use mustard in it, with a primarily thin, vinegar-based versus a tangier, smokier ketchup-based sauce used in Georgia
- Stock up on bug spray
If there’s one thing that’s plentiful in the South, it’s bugs. Those suckers never die! There isn’t a winter to kill them off, and they are bigger with a longer growing season!
- Learn how to cook Southern food
If you want to fit in with the locals, you’ll need to learn how to cook some Southern food. Fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and sweet tea are just a few of the staples you’ll need to master
- Get a pool and close it in with a lanai
What’s the point of living in the South if you don’t have a pool? If you don’t already have one, now’s the time to invest in one. You’ll be glad you did when the temperatures start soaring!
What states do most snowbirds come from?
Every year, millions of Americans travel south to escape the bitter cold winter weather. These snowbirds typically come from states in the northeastern and midwestern United States, where snow and ice make life difficult, or sometimes, depending on their age, impossible, for several months out of the year.
Florida, also known as the Sunshine State, is a popular destination for snowbirds, especially those coming from Michigan, as it is the second most popular native home for Florida snowbirds, second only to New York, followed by Ohio.
Most Michigan snowbirds head to Florida’s Gulf Coast, where they can enjoy the sunny beaches and mild temperatures, and a lot of New Yorkers head to the East Coast of Florida.
What weather is Georgia known for?
Since Georgia is a large state, let’s focus on the Atlanta region, near where my aunt lived before they eventually relocated to North Carolina, where they still reside today.
Expert scientists at The National Weather Service say that the climatology of North Georgia (excluding the mountains) is like, “The area experiences all four seasons. Summers typically consist of long spells of warm and humid weather. Average afternoon high temperatures are in the upper 80s to around 90. Readings of 90 or higher can be expected on 30 to 60 days. Overnight lows usually range from the middle 60s to lower 70s.
Temperatures during winter months are more variable. Oftentimes, stretches of mild weather will alternate with cold spells. Winter high temperatures average in the 50s. Lows average in the mid to lower 30s. Lows of 32 degrees or lower can be expected on 50 to 70 days.
Spring and Autumn seasons are characterized by much variability from day to day and from year to year. The average date of the first freeze in the autumn is in late October. The average date of the last freeze in the spring is in early April.
Precipitation – A measurable amount of rain falls on about 120 days each year, producing amounts averaging between 50 and 55 inches. As for snowfall, the average annual total is 1 or 2 inches in the northern counties. Usually this snowfall occurs on just one or two days.
Averaging over many years, the driest months are September and October while the wettest month is March. Thunderstorms are common in the spring and summer months. On a typical year, thunder will be heard on 50 to 60 days,”.
When my favorite and closest-in-age cousin moved from Michigan to the Florida Keys, I helped him drive down with all of his life’s possessions and his three dogs, also known as “family.” We drove through Atlanta with so much traffic – even more than we see in Detroit. Second and most notably, it was snowing during March! I always enjoy it when it snows in the South because I get to tease my family members who supposedly left Michigan because it “was too cold”. I digress.
The ever-changing weather in Georgia may surprise newcomers or visitors unfamiliar with the Southeast’s dynamic climate. While its summers are hot and humid, often laced with afternoon thunderstorms, there’s a certain charm in how the state transitions through seasons.
Northerners moving south
In conclusion, moving south offers warmth, charm, and new traditions—but be ready for bugs, BBQ, and a whole lot of “y’all” along the way.