Where are the Snowbirds?

Where are the Snowbirds Going?

During a spring trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, I noticed many midwesterners and northerners. As I talked to some of them, they spent the winter there and headed home. They were snowbirds. I vowed to myself that one day I would be just like them. Then I started thinking, where are the snowbirds during the winter?

What is a snowbird? In this context, it is not a bird. An informal definition is a person who vacations in or moves to a warmer climate during cold weather (Source). Most snowbirds’ age range is 50-69; however, many younger adults are now spending their winters in warmer climates. Persons in their 50s or 60s are retired and can spend winter months in one of the many snowbird locations. However, remote work allows people more flexibility to work from various locations.

Where are the snowbirds going each winter? Many leave the midwestern and northern states in November and return home in April or May. A large contingency of people is from both the United States and Canada. One day, I want to be in that number! Despite being born and raised in the midwest, I don’t like winter. Snow is beautiful until you have to shovel piles of it constantly. Wind chills 10-15 below zero have never been fun. Give me warmth and beaches any day!

Top 100 Destinations

Storage Cafe researched to find out the Top 100 Snowbird Destinations. The states that receive the most snowbirds are Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, and Nevada. The most popular are Florida and Texas. Lesser known snowbird destinations include the coastal cities of South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Hawaii. Florida is the clear winner, with over 800,000 visitors and the most cities on the list, and Texas is the most budget-friendly and has 17 cities on the list. California has 34 cities on the Top 100 list. Check out the list of destinations.

Affordable Destinations

 Affordability is essential when snowbirds plan their stay. They must consider how far their retirement dollars will last; some locations are costly. Things to consider are the cost of housing, food, and activities. Will they stay in a hotel, rented space, or their second home? Do they want to play golf, water sports, shop, or do other activities? What is the cost of eating at restaurants or buying groceries?

Another thing to consider is your health needs. Can medication prescriptions be quickly filled, or do you have medical conditions? Snowbirds have much to think about when deciding on their winter destination. The website 55Places.com created a list of The 25 Most Affordable Places to Snowbird This Winter.

International Snowbird Destinations

According to Snowbirding Central, some international destinations are becoming popular with American and Canadian snowbirds. Many of these places offer affordable living spaces and plenty to see and do. Destinations are in North, South, and Central America, Spain, and the Caribbean.. Pack your bags for a six-month stay in Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Dominican Republic.

Of course, there are pros and cons of snowbirding. Here are a few things to ponder before making a decision. 

Pros and Cons of Snowbirding

Pros

Escape snow and cold weather – Who doesn’t want to leave winter behind? The main reason people head south each winter is to escape the winter. You don’t have to worry about poor driving conditions or shoveling snow in a warmer climate. I want to escape the snow and freezing temperatures, too. 

Have fun with outdoor activities year-round – I love being outdoors, so another great thing about being a snowbird is the availability of year-round outdoor activities. Swimming in warm waters or hiking trails in the warm sunshine is an excellent idea for me! Golf and tennis players can enjoy these sports south during winter while all their friends up north are stuck inside and sending you sunset photos on the beach.

Enjoy different climates – Snowbirds enjoy cold and warm temperatures without fully committing to either. Splitting time between different temperatures can keep you from boredom. Take it all in! It’sIt’s the best of both worlds.

Cons

The primary con of being a snowbird is the amount of planning it takes. Common preparation tasks include:

• Mail forwarding or hold mail
• Subscribe to e-bills for all bills
• Cancel subscriptions or put them on hold
• Notification of address change

Set up online payments to eliminate paper copies of bills coming to your home.

Also, as a snowbird, several home-related tasks must be completed before heading south for the winter, including:

• Set your thermostat to keep pipes from freezing
• Put specific lights in the house on a timer
• Empty garbage cans

• Clear out the fridge and dispose of perishable foods
• Take safety measures to prevent break-ins
• Hire a relative or someone to check on your home periodically.

Snowbirding is an Option

Where are the snowbirds going each winter? The options are many for those who aspire to become people of leisure. Snowbirding is a great option, but it requires research and preparation.

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