Curious snowbird?

[Plantman]

First time trying the snowbird thing. Been in Florida for four weeks and getting a little bored. Should I just be appreciative of being able to do it or not? It's been very cold and snowy back home, but I am not sure it's worth the money! Maybe I could just hibernate for the winter at home?

 

[MRG]

Where are you in FL? Location matters, of course what you ant is a big part of it.

Ever been to the Keys? It's different from the rest of the state.

 

[pb4uski]

What would you be doing if you were home? What do you do in the summer at home? Time to get out of the house and explore some.... lunch on the intercoastal?

Currently on the way to dinner out with friends.

 

[Danmar]

First time trying the snowbird thing. Been in Florida for four weeks and getting a little bored. Should I just be appreciative of being able to do it or not? It's been very cold and snowy back home, but I am not sure it's worth the money! Maybe I could just hibernate for the winter at home?

Pretty personal decision. Not sure how we can help you? Many people love to snowbird(me) many others don’t. Only you can decide.

 

[meierlde]

Where are you in FL? Location matters, of course what you ant is a big part of it.

Ever been to the Keys? It's different from the rest of the state.

There is always the Everglades to see as well as the Keys. Plus of course you can go to the giant tourist trap that is Orlando. (go outside the holidays, and spring break)

 

[Red Badger]

We take a late winter break and stay at a Myrtle Beach oceanfront condo. We stay the month of Feb for a little over a little over a grand. Dec and Jan are even cheaper.

Condo is LR, BR, full kitchen and two balconies.

For us, its not the change of weather (we're north of Charlotte). We do it to be at a near empty beach and town for a very modest sum. All the tourist traps are shuttered, and restaurants are uncrowded. There's a few other snowbirds fluttering around, some locals, but it's eerily quiet for the most part. We love it. I rent another unit and invite sibs from the frozen north down to thaw out.

YMMV.

 

[W2R]

First time trying the snowbird thing. Been in Florida for four weeks and getting a little bored. Should I just be appreciative of being able to do it or not? It's been very cold and snowy back home, but I am not sure it's worth the money! Maybe I could just hibernate for the winter at home?

Frankly, I see your point. I'm kind of a homebody, and I wouldn't want to spend just part of the year at home, and part of the year someplace else. I would miss my house, where everything is just the way I want it to be. I like my nice predictable retired life, and I would hate being a snowbird.

I do like warm weather, though, so I live in the South where it is warmer.

 

[Senator]

I leave right after the first of January for my snowbird run. I will be in Labelle, Fl for ~2+ months. Staying in my fifth wheel, my poor mans condo.

I have a lot on my agenda. A visit to the Everglades national park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Gatorama, A day in Key West via the water taxi from Fort Myers, lots of visiting with friends there, Attending a wedding near Ft Myers, getting my FL CCW permit, maybe a hog or a gator hunt, likely several+ fishing days.

If I run out of things to do it will be because I do not have enough imagination or get lazy.

 

[RAE]

As others have said, it's a personal decision, but we leave for the Gulf Coast in a couple weeks, and I can't wait (this will be our 8th winter of snowbirding). We live in northern Michigan, so there's not a heck of a lot for me to do here until April, other than shovel snow and bundle up to walk the dog twice a day. Down south, I will be kayaking, fishing, walking around town with just a light shirt on, sitting outside in the sun by the water, grilling dinner outside.......it's great. I can't recall ever being bored down there. Absolutely no comparison to staying here for the next few months. As for the cost, we have a travel budget and just look for a rental house that fits the budget (for the length of time we want to stay). Once we've committed the money for that, and budgeted for other stuff like food and entertainment, I don't even give cost a thought after that......I just enjoy myself.

 

[harley]

I personally would recommend leaving, and spending the winter hibernating in the cold. And tell all of your friends to do that too. You're right, it's just not worth it. Boring, fire ants, hurricanes, etc. Get away while you still can.

 

[SheitlQueen]

getting my FL CCW permit

Let me know how that goes. I've been thinking about the same thing, although if the reciprocity passes I guess it will be a moot point.

 

[Marita40]

I plan to be a snowbird for at least a month once I retire in a few years. February-March is typically depressing here in MN, at least for me--winter seems to go on and on at that point. I think I will thoroughly enjoy a warm weather/beach break of some type, but I haven't done any advance planning yet.

 

[MRG]

I personally would recommend leaving, and spending the winter hibernating in the cold. And tell all of your friends to do that too. You're right, it's just not worth it. Boring, fire ants, hurricanes, etc. Get away while you still can.

I'm thinking you are not acting as a fiduciary for FL.

Go fishing or golfing. One of my favorite memories is fishing with my late DF and FIL in FL.

 

[Badger]

You didn't say where in Fl you are staying or what you like to do for enjoyment. Fl is a big state with many options for enjoying the outdoors, entertainment, sports, etc. What were you looking for when you came?

Cheers!

 

[Red Badger]

I plan to be a snowbird for at least a month once I retire in a few years. February-March is typically depressing here in MN, at least for me--winter seems to go on and on at that point. I think I will thoroughly enjoy a warm weather/beach break of some type, but I haven't done any advance planning yet.

My sibs (and in/out laws) are on the I-94 corridor, from the twin cities over to Billings. They love coming to Myrtle Beach in Feb when the long northern winter is almost over... Almost, but not.

 

[FreeBear]

We've short-term snow birded FL for a decade, usually just 2 weeks, since I was still w*rking. We visited friends for part of the time, then broke out on our own to do bird photography. The birding is just amazing. Much easier than "up north". Birds are everywhere and up close.

We also kayak and bike. Keep in mind, though, that Dec-Jan in FL can have cold spells with strong winds and some rain. Weather in the 40-50's with windchill and clouds is no fun when you are expecting 80's and sun.

Honestly, we did get bored after doing the same thing for 10 years, despite traveling throughout most of FL. We checking out the TX coast last year and had a blast. We were ready to leave after about 3 weeks, though.

It doesn't look like we'll be snowbirdng anywhere for 3-4 months straight. DW and I both miss our friends, our "stuff", and just sleeping in our own beds. We get tired of eating out and living in hotels. We've thought about a VBRO home for 1-2 months, but cost was a deterrent and it seemed like we'd be going through a lot of trouble to make a short rental seem like home. We have become high maintenance, unfortunately...

 

[CardsFan]

Where are you in FL? Location matters, of course what you ant is a big part of it.

Ever been to the Keys? It's different from the rest of the state.

That's like saying Manhattan is a little different than Oswego

Kidding aside, a trip to the Keys can really change your perspective. Key West in particular. Haven't been there in a few years, and I think it is time to go back.

Afternoons at Schooner Wharf bar with Michael McCloud. and don't miss Raven, if she still plays there. THE BEST Johnny Cash voice I have ever heard.

Okay, back to you regular programming.

 

[bigcmagor]

My snowbird stay just went from three months to six. Dropped my homestead exemption on the northern home today. Can't wait to get there, just six more days.

 

[Splash]

Leaving WI for Key Largo in 10 days. Can't wait!

Retired in February, 2017. Spent the month of March in Key Largo. Loved it so much we're staying January - March this winter.

When working, we spent 1-2 weeks on a caribbean island each winter. So, traveling and escaping winter is something we enjoy. This winter will be a long one as we have had snow for awhile already and the Packers won't be in the playoffs.

We are preparing ourselves that "living" as a snowbird will be different from "vacationing". It's possible to fill your days and nights with exciting things for a 1-2 week vacation. We plan to make frequent use of the bikes, kayaks, grill, and HOA beach included with our house rental. I've even found an exercise class to join in the area.

Knowing that being snowbirds was something we wanted to try, we included the costs in our retirement budget so that isn't a concern for us.

We all enjoy different things. Do what makes you happy!

 

[soontobe2015]

We snowbird at the Bonita Springs area. In a RV park with our 5th wheel. Daily activities posted by RV Park. Pool. Biking. Beaches. Pickleball. Always people ready to play cards. They bring in bands. Wonderful and amazing 3 months. Never bored for a minute except the 10 hour drive from our home.

 

[RAE]

It doesn't look like we'll be snowbirdng anywhere for 3-4 months straight. DW and I both miss our friends, our "stuff", and just sleeping in our own beds. We get tired of eating out and living in hotels. We've thought about a VBRO home for 1-2 months, but cost was a deterrent and it seemed like we'd be going through a lot of trouble to make a short rental seem like home.

I hate staying in hotels also, and we prefer to cook our own meals at home, which is why we rent a house down south for 2-3 months each winter. We bring basically everything we need with us, so we are perfectly comfortable. As for missing friends and family..........well, they will still be there in 2-3 months when we get back, and we usually make new friends wherever we go. As for cost, you might be surprised what you can find on VRBO (or AirBnb, etc) for rentals........we found several nice places this winter in our price range, and the one we ended up with is an incredible value, because the place was going to be vacant for the winter, and the owner just wanted someone in it. I've been pleasantly surprised at the affordability of some of the nice places we've rented over the last several winters.

 

[HadEnuff]

First time trying the snowbird thing. Been in Florida for four weeks and getting a little bored. Should I just be appreciative of being able to do it or not? It's been very cold and snowy back home, but I am not sure it's worth the money! Maybe I could just hibernate for the winter at home?

I have to say, your post resonates with me. 27 years ago when my folks retired to a life of warm breezes, beaches and golf on Bonita Beach (October- mid-May), I was sure that would be what I wanted for myself. And it may still be, but, I have just returned from that area where I was visiting for a week, and I have my questions. I'm still going to try it next year, for 3 months...but, I have my doubts.

 

[harley]

I'm in Bonita Springs too, we own a small house. Originally I wanted to rent for 3-4 months, but we couldn't find anybody that would rent to us with our 4 (now 3) small dogs. But it has worked out well, and FL is now our primary residence. This should help a bit with the new tax plan, since we don't have state and local taxes other than property taxes. But my issue isn't boredom, it's not having enough time to do all the things I want to do. I hike (Bird Rookery is a totally amazing place, if you like gators and other wildlife) and kayak. We do some gardening. I cook out on the grill 2-3 times/week. I'm getting scuba certified this year, and was also thinking about getting my concealed carry permit. It's not that there's so much more to do here (FL in general) than anywhere else, it's just that you can do it when most people are stuck inside because of the winter. Especially in our other home, where we're in a rural (except in summer season) beach area. It's windy and cold, and there aren't places like big malls or anything you can go to when you get cabin fever. So it's working for us. I suspect in a rental or a trailer you might not spend as much time on gardening and home repairs and such as we do, but even so, sitting out by a pool or going to the beach isn't a bad way to spend a day, vs. watching daytime tv out of boredom.

 

[SnowBound]

I personally would recommend leaving, and spending the winter hibernating in the cold. And tell all of your friends to do that too. You're right, it's just not worth it. Boring, fire ants, hurricanes, etc. Get away while you still can.

Bad idea heading back North. Will only make the ski lift lines longer. And parking at the ski lodge is terrible this year.

 

[LakeRat1]

We are on the SW Side of Florida, so much to do..... We even joined a boat club, so between the activities in our community, pools, beaches, we go boating...... Going to try fishing in a couple of weeks..... This should be fun.....We also, do day trips up and down the coast from Marco Island to Tampa...... Boat Races in Clearwater and in Key West...... Lots to do ..... We did not know a sole before renting for three months, then we became an owner of a Park Model in the same community we rented that first year...... Lots to do