Reasons to Leave: #1 - the Weather

When people hear I want to leave the midwest, they wonder why. Is the grass really greener out west? I can't answer that with 100% certainty, but this I do know: At least the grass isn't frozen.

I know, I am generalizing. There are certain places in our primary targets (Washington, Oregon and California) that get plenty of snow. But - for starters, the average maximum temperature, minimum temperature AND precipitation are all higher than Minnesota and Wisconsin. Moreover, the temperatures are far more regular and much less dramatic than our snow-storms. For starters, Jenn and I both went to school at the U of M - Morris. Anyone who has lived on a prairie can tell you that there is nothing fun about being the only thing in a 50 mile radius to stop the wind.

According to USAToday - not a source I trust for politics but will trust for weather - of the coldest cities in the US, 8 of 10 are in Minnesota. Not that I needed to be told this. Jenn and I have experienced the utter disaster of winter: solid ice on the roads, having to dig our car out of the snow and ice, our dog freezing after being outside for 10 minutes...not too mention the salt and slush ruin your shoes, pants AND car.

I'd also like to point out that while Wisconsin and Minnesota are often cited for the coldest, snowiest, or windiest, Oregon and Washington tend not to sit on anyone's top ten list. After leaving in 2 states that qualify as having the most "weather variety" - frankly, I am looking forward to some weather consistency!