Any snowbirds?

[moneymama]

I am really learning a lot from all of you and the pros and cons on so many subjects related to FIRE.

Any snowbirds here? Do you feel it is worth the expense to have two homes etc.?

In a perfect world, I think being a snowbird would be perfect. Anyone have virtual jobs|careers on the side to keep the snowbird lifestyle working?

Thanks!!


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[REWahoo]

Here are a few threads on the subject:

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/snowbirding-buy-or-rent-64251.html
http://www.early-retirement.org/for...orum-splitting-time-between-cities-67701.html
http://www.early-retirement.org/for...d-to-warmer-climate-for-first-time-71680.html
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/thinking-about-buying-a-condo-and-snowbirding-70038.html

 

[PatSea]

My wife and I have been Florida snowbirds for 6 years. We spend one or two months in the Ft Meyers area. We made a decision many years ago to rent rather than buy another home or condo in Florida. Works for us but seasonal rentals are becoming more difficult each year,

 

[Mags438]

We've been considering getting a 2nd home nearby but maintaining two homes could be more effort than what we realistically want to do. Interested in what others have done too.

 

[soontobe2015]

My wife and I have been Florida snowbirds for 6 years. We spend one or two months in the Ft Meyers area. We made a decision many years ago to rent rather than buy another home or condo in Florida. Works for us but seasonal rentals are becoming more difficult each year,

Do you mean difficult as in finding rental? I searched for over a month in the Cape Coral area. Contacted through VRBO and usually they had just rented.


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[Sunset]

Not to repeat, but if you are going to snowbird to FL, then buying something has the benefit of being able to establish residency in FL (no State income tax).

Which of course brings a host of other problems with it, like house insurance.

 

[Jack_Pine]

Have posted this before...............

We bought in FL at market low (some luck). Important for us because we have 3 dogs. Also, other in family are buying in general area (at least all of us with no kids). There are obviously pros and cons to owning/renting. We like the flexibility to go when we want. We rented the winter out until now. Now we just rent it a week at a time to family with kids.

 

[Bamaman]

I find maintaining two houses 18 miles apart to be very, very difficult. I'd hate to think how hard it'd be dealing with properties 1300 miles apart. (One house is lakefront property.)

If you're coming out of an expensive housing market like Boston with very poor winter weather, making such a decision wouldn't be at all difficult.

Cash out that expensive place in the North and downsize to Florida--or a reasonably priced location with better weather and less general taxation. If you still have family drawing you "back home," get yourself an apartment without any upkeep.

 

[Mags438]

I find maintaining two houses 18 miles apart to be very, very difficult. I'd hate to think how hard it'd be dealing with properties 1300 miles apart. (One house is lakefront property.)
.

Bama, could you please elaborate on the issues, truly interested. thanks

 

[Alan]

We are summerbirds spending the winters in Texas and summers in cooler climes.

We rent a place in the same complex as DS who keeps an eye on the place and we let the complex management know when we are traveling.

Next year we plan on setting up a place, rented, in the same small town as my sister in England, as our days of constant travel in the summers this past 6 years come to an end, for now. The nomadic summers have been great but we are ready to try something different.

I just spent some time on Skype IM with DS this morning getting details and paying the latest medical bill, from an X-Ray in mid March. The health industry has been impossible to manage entirely online, but each year we have always had one or two other things needing attention that come by snail mail.

 

[Jack_Pine]

Just a not. We are currently maintaining three place right now and will go down to 2 when we do full retirement.

Guess we have been lucky but other than some cost we have not had too many troubles keeping up those places.

The enjoyment and flexibility we get far outweighs the cost. If we were tighter on money it would be different I am sure.

 

[moneymama]

Bamaman-- cashing out of Boston and buying in FL is definitely the plan -- for the exact reasons you posted

Thank you -- love hearing it from someone else, it truly makes best sense for us.

Can't help but be on the fence with the emotional ties on Boston....but that's what hotels are for and all of our accumulated Marriott points haha




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[Golden sunsets]

My wife and I have been Florida snowbirds for 6 years. We spend one or two months in the Ft Meyers area. We made a decision many years ago to rent rather than buy another home or condo in Florida. Works for us but seasonal rentals are becoming more difficult each year,

Same here. We rent for two months. (Mexico) I have residual business that can be performed from anywhere there is cell phone coverage and an Internet connection. With the economy recovering it is getting increasingly difficult I have observed to guarantee return to the same rental year after year. We were recently asked by our landlord if we were ready to commit for the 2017 season yet, as they have a request to rent it out for the two months we currently rent.

 

[drb391]

have sb'ed from WNY to AZ for 3 yrs now. expense isn't that much to me; travel mostly. 4-5 day drive with inexpensive motels along the way. got a park-model trailer in an rv park. own the trailer, rent the lot.

 

[BellBarbara]

We do some of this but we do not go to FL (not fans) but instead go to the wine country in California in March. Places are cheap and plentiful. It is not a beach place, but the weather is pretty consistently 55-65 and sunny so we hike and such and really enjoy it. We also enjoy Tucson, which is less popular than Phoenix and more reasonably priced.

If we did not have a dog, we would be gone 4 months but we are limited right now. DH is allergic to the dog so we can't take him with us and it costs $$$ to have a house sitter/dog sitter. Once he passes, we will be gone more and likely downsize to something more lock and go.

 

[Sea Kayaker]

I'm a baby snowbird. I will probably spend 1.5 months in Baja this year, my first full year of ER. I hope to gradually ramp this up to 2 months in a few years...then once my wife has finally had enough of working, we may be there for 5 months a year. Should be able to avoid PNW "soggy season" completely before I hit my 50's...