What's better than Pittsburgh weather? Probably most everything else in life.
For anyone new to the city, don't let the first few weeks fool you. It might be hotter than hell when classes start, but that changes really quickly. Before you know it, the wind is 20 mph and the temperature drops to -10 and everyone's crying on the way to class beneath eight layers of clothes and a ski mask.
This change happens in the blink of an eye, and if you're from anywhere but Pittsburgh, it might seem like a shock. But don't worry! I'm here to talk you through it.
First of all - get a real coat. I know that sounds obvious, but it's worth saying. My first year here, I tried to get by with a fake-leather jacket from Forever 21 and a handful of sweaters. Big mistake. I broke down and ordered from REI in late November.
Get something that a mountain climber would wear while scaling Everest. That should be the coldness level you're anticipating.
Buy tons of sweaters! I can not overstate this. All you'll be wearing this winter is jeans and a sweater, so you’ll want to have some options to pick from. And the paper thin sweaters don't really do much. If it's scratchy and something your grandpa might wear, that's probably for the best.
I'm sure everyone's told you this a million times: use those layers! Come January, you need an undershirt beneath that sweater and probably leggings under those jeans. And at least three pairs of socks. If it's kind of hard to walk in your outfit and you have to waddle down the stairs, then you're doing it right.
Which brings me to boots: Get some good ones. I've worn out two pairs of shoes in the sludge that coats Pittsburgh for 80% of winter. Now I'm lazy and usually just wear rain boots in the snow, although they can get a bit slippery. Hiking boots, or like whatever Bear Grylls wears would also work well.
(Actually, anything Bear Grylls would purchase is probably something you should start considering.)
Don’t forget scarves! Or anything to wrap around your face. I used to scoff at the people who cover every inch of their skin in the winter, but then I moved here and now I understand it completely. Hats are also absolutely necessary, and it's gotta cover your ears unless you want to lose part of them.
Outside of that, you should just be prepared to complain a lot, to fall on your butt in the middle of the road at least once, and to say over and over how much you wish it was summer.
And when summer gets here and it’s a million degrees, you’ll do pretty much the same thing, only you’ll wish it was winter again.
