Snow tires vs tire chains

Tire chains are for people who don’t live where it snows, but venture there occasionally, or for people who live in mountainous areas where chains are required by law. Winter tires are for people who live in the Great White North, and in my opinion, New England qualifies as the Great White North. You should buy a second set of rims (cheap steel rims), and a set of good winter tires. That is what I would do.