Consider These 5 Factors for Your Winter Commute

Winter weather can make commuting to work challenging. To help you stay informed on what to expect, here are some key factors you should consider when planning your winter commute.

Here are 5 factors to consider when weighing options for your daily commute.

• Consider alternate routes: When snowfall is likely, consider taking another route. If you're planning on walking or biking to work, you may want to reconsider if there's a chance of rain or snow. It could get slippery and difficult for commuters who aren't used to winter conditions.
• If you rely on public transportation to get to work, it’s important that you know about any delays or changes before heading out the door. This is especially true during the winter months, when storms can cause major delays and other issues that may impact your commute.
• Driving in the snow is another matter entirely—especially if you don't know what road conditions will be like when you leave for work in the morning. If it's icy out, drive slower than usual and give yourself extra time before hitting the road.
• It's important to dress appropriately for the weather. If you choose to walk, make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes and layered clothing in case it gets cold or wet out.
• Set aside extra time for your commute if you don't want to be rushed: If there are any delays on your route, or if it takes longer than usual due to icy conditions. Plan accordingly!

Walkability:

You live in a walkable neighborhood, your commute is relatively short and you own a nice pair of boots and some warm outerwear.If that sounds like you, consider yourself very lucky. Your life is about to get much easier this winter.

If not, it may still be possible for you to make things easier on yourself with just a little extra planning.

If you choose to walk to work, it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather. While there are many things that can affect your safety on a daily commute, having layers that keep you warm and dry is at the top of the list.

When you're searching for an apartment close to work - check the Walk Score and Bike Score by searching on Spot Easy.

You should wear at least two layers of clothing—a base layer that wicks away sweat and an outer shell or jacket that keeps rain out. You should also consider wearing long underwear made from wool or synthetic fibers, which are both better at keeping you warm than cotton because they help absorb moisture away from your body’s core so it doesn’t get cold.

For additional protection against winter temperatures, add gloves (with some insulation) and a hat with earflaps if necessary. Boots or shoes should be waterproof and insulated as well. You can always change into “work shoes” when you get there.

Set aside extra time for your commute if you don’t want to be rushed.

Don't rush. If your commute is going to take longer than usual, give yourself more time. Snow and ice can make roads slippery, so travel at a safe speed. Be sure to adjust your schedule accordingly so that you aren’t rushing to avoid being late.

Live close to the train or bus station.

If you can walk to the T, that's ideal.

If you’re not a fan of waking up early and braving the cold, there are other ways to get to work. If you live close enough to the T – and have a Charlie Card – riding the T may be the best choice for your commute, especially during the winter. When the roads are dangerously slippery and streets are covered with wet snow and ice, it might not be a good idea to walk or bike to work.

You can easily see when there’s a subway delay by entering the address of your work into maps and selecting the transit option. When entering an address into Google Maps, simply select “Transit", then choose your route type: driving or public transportation.

With these considerations, maybe the winter commute won’t be so bad after all. If you’d like to find an apartment closer to work, start your search with Spot Easy. With Spot Easy, you’ll only be shown verified rental properties and agents will get back to you quickly. So, what are you waiting for? Browse all apartments in Boston.