Winter weather is one of the top reasons that people hesitate to join the Free State Project and move to New Hampshire. Some people who are curious about the Free State Project mistakenly think that the weather in New Hampshire is always cold. So it can be surprising to learn how the Granite State’s weather actually stacks up against other states.
When we took the average annual temperature of the ten most populous cities in each state and weighed them against each other, we found that the average annual temperature in New Hampshire is WARMER THAN—or within FIVE degrees of—a whopping 24 states! Yup, almost half! Even Pennsylvania!
Many Free Staters have moved from warmer climates. They made adjustments, adapted, and are now happily enjoying a freer, better life as a part of the growing liberty community of the “Live Free or Die” state!
Yes, NH winters can be cold, and it does snow. There’s no sense dreading it, though! Why not make the most of it? This article—The Norwegian Secret to Enjoying a Long Winter—spells it out beautifully:
One of the things we do a lot of in the States is we bond by complaining about the winter. It’s hard to have a positive wintertime mindset when we make small talk by being negative about the winter.
This is easy enough to change; simply refuse to participate in the Misery Olympics. Talk about how the cold gives you a chance to drink tea or hot chocolate all day. Talk about ice skating, or building snowmen. Bundle up and go for a walk outside, knowing that you’ll likely feel warmer and happier after a few minutes. Better yet, go with a friend. Social plans are a great reason to haul yourself out from under the covers.
But overall, mindset research is increasingly finding that it doesn’t take much to shift one’s thinking. It doesn’t have to be this huge complicated thing. You can just consciously try to have a positive wintertime mindset and that might be enough to induce it.
Plus, there are all kinds of fun things to do during winter in New Hampshire! NH is known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding and great snowmobiling trails! Other winter sports and activities like snowshoeing, ice climbing, ziplining, snow tubing, family sleigh rides, and ice skating are quite popular here. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try ice fishing? Or perhaps winter carnivals and festivals are more your speed? Whatever you do, make sure you stop by to check out the beautiful Ice Castles in Lincoln, NH!
Still thinking a little chill will keep you from standing for liberty beside us? We like Free Stater Jody Underwood’s thoughts on cold weather:
“People often hate or fear things they don’t understand. (If you’ve tried to discuss libertarian ideas with liberals or conservatives, you know what I’m talking about.) But once you open yourself up to new ideas or experiences, you often find that the reality fails to live up to the fears. That’s how the cold is. Even if you don’t grow to love it, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find a way for you and the cold to peacefully co-exist.”
Those who move from the warmest climates tend to put things in perspective for the rest of us. The Executive Producer of 101 Reasons: Liberty Lives in New Hampshire expressed his thoughts on the weather:
“I moved to a city that has an average annual temperature 29 degrees colder than the one I left in Florida. My day-to-day life hasn’t changed much, though. I go from my climate controlled house, to my climate controlled car, to my climate controlled job, and back again. There’s really not much difference at all.”
Mark Warden, the Porcupine Realtor, moved to New Hampshire from Nevada. Perhaps Mark said it best:
“Hey, it’s not so bad. A little snow. We can plow it out of the way. If you keep the fires of liberty burning, they’ll keep you warm.”
We really hope to welcome you home to New Hampshire soon! Really, if you just do a little planning ahead of time—like buying some wool socks—you’ll do just fine here during winter.