Every year, more and more people move down south to escape the cold, and who could blame them? Believe it or not, nearly a million snowbirds head to the Sunshine State every winter, and you could be one of them!
If you’re planning on long-term travel this winter, there’s a lot that you need to prepare for. Luckily, we can make that easy for you! Here’s what you need to know about preparing for this year’s snowbird lifestyle.
What is the Snowbird Lifestyle?
Snowbirds are the people who live in colder climates within North America and choose to head south for the winter, much like the birds. Typical examples are people migrating from Canada to the Caribbean or New England to Florida.
This is a common practice for retirees or adults who work remotely as they grow tired of the harsh winters in the north. Many people choose this lifestyle because they still have friends, family, or other ties to an area in the north but still want to experience the sun all year round.
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Snowbirds vs. Snowflakes: Understanding the Differences
As we cozy up in our winter gear, two terms often flutter around conversations: “snowbirds” and “snowflakes.” Though they share a wintry theme, these terms have distinct meanings, especially when it comes to seasonal migration. In this section, we’ll explore the unique lifestyles and choices of snowbirds and snowflakes.
What is a Snowbird?
Definition: A “snowbird” is typically an older individual who migrates from the colder northern parts of North America to warmer southern areas during the winter. Think of them as migratory birds seeking a seasonal refuge from the frosty temperatures.
Lifestyle: Snowbirds often have a second home or rent a place in a warmer location. They’re usually retirees with the flexibility to live in two places throughout the year. Their lifestyle is marked by an annual rhythm – north in the summer, south in the winter.
Activities: Snowbirds often engage in leisure activities that their temporary southern homes offer. Golfing, beach walks, and social events in active communities are common. It’s not just about escaping the cold; it’s about embracing a warmer, often more leisurely lifestyle.
What is a Snowflake?
Definition: In contrast, a “snowflake” is generally a younger person who also seeks a respite from the cold. These are often working individuals or families who take shorter, more temporary trips to warmer climates.
Lifestyle Differences: Snowflakes might blend remote work with their time away, ensuring they stay connected and productive. Their migration is less about a seasonal shift and more about a short-term change in scenery or a brief escape from the winter.
Activities: Snowflakes might be more adventurous, engaging in winter sports in warmer climates or exploring new cultural experiences. Their stays are usually packed with activities that are both recreational and enriching.
Key Differences
Duration of Stay: The most notable difference is the duration. Snowbirds typically stay for the entire winter season, while snowflakes opt for shorter stays – a few weeks to a month.
Reasons for Migration: Snowbirds often seek a consistent, warmer climate to avoid the winter, while snowflakes seek a temporary change or a balance between work and leisure.
Demographics: Generally, snowbirds are retirees enjoying their freedom, while snowflakes are younger, often balancing their escape with other responsibilities.
Perks of Embracing the Snowbird Lifestyle
While the snowbird lifestyle involves considerable planning and adjustment, it comes with a host of benefits that make it an appealing choice for many. Here are some of the key perks of heading south for the winter:
Escape from Harsh Winters
One of the most apparent benefits of being a snowbird is avoiding the harsh, cold winters of the north. Swapping snow and ice for sunshine and mild temperatures can have a significant positive impact on both physical health and mental well-being.
Enjoyment of Diverse Cultures and Locations
Snowbirds have the unique opportunity to experience different cultures and environments. Whether it’s the vibrant beach communities of Florida or the serene deserts of Arizona, each destination offers unique experiences and local customs.
Increased Social Opportunities
Many snowbird destinations boast active communities with social events, clubs, and gatherings. This can be especially beneficial for retirees looking to engage with peers and make new friends in a lively, social setting.
Health and Wellness Benefits
Warmer climates often encourage outdoor activities, such as golfing, walking, swimming, and tennis, which are excellent for maintaining physical health. Additionally, the sunshine and warmer weather can be plentiful for mental health, reducing symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Potential for Lower Living Costs
In some cases, living in a southern state during the winter can be more cost-effective than staying in the north, especially if heating a home in a colder climate is high.
Flexibility and Freedom
The snowbird lifestyle offers a unique sense of freedom and flexibility, especially for retirees. The ability to travel, explore new places, and break the routine of everyday life can be incredibly liberating.
Opportunity for Family Visits
For those with family or friends in warmer climates, being a snowbird provides an excellent opportunity to spend time with loved ones during the winter months.
Top Locations Snowbirds Travel To for Winter
- Florida: Florida has a large number of snowbirds, thanks to its warm temperatures and abundance of recreational opportunities. Places like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Tampa are particularly popular.
- Arizona: Arizona is another popular destination for snowbirds, with cities like Phoenix and Tucson being favorites. The state’s dry and sunny climate makes it an attractive option for those looking to escape the cold and snow.
- California: California is known for its mild winter weather and has several popular snowbird destinations, such as San Diego and Los Angeles.
- Texas: Texas is another popular destination for snowbirds, with cities like Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi being favorites. The state’s mild winters and abundant outdoor recreational activities make it an attractive option.
- Nevada: Nevada is known for its desert climate, which makes it a popular winter destination for snowbirds. Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe are all popular options.
- Mexico and Caribbean: Mexico and the Caribbean are also popular destinations for Snowbirds to escape the cold and enjoy some warm weather and perhaps good golf courses, beaches, and culture.
- These are some of the most popular locations, but there are plenty of other destinations for snowbirds to choose from, depending on their individual preferences and priorities.
Checklist to Winterize Your Home Before You Go
Now, if you rent out your home for winter, you may not need to winterize your home. However, finding the right tenants during this time of year is difficult, and finding a solution for managing the property is even more challenging.
Assuming you are leaving your home uninhabited, it’s very important that you prepare your house for winter for peace of mind, saving money on utilities and preventing a disaster from happening while you are away. Here is a quick checklist to get started.
1. Protect Your Water
Shut the water off in your home before leaving to prevent your pipes from freezing. This simple step could save you a fortune in damages. You should also turn off your water heater and drain your pipes by running the sink for a moment after shutting off the water.
A frozen pipe or a damaged water heater will cost thousands of dollars in repairs. Leaving your water heater on will not only bring it closer to its end, but it will also run up your utility bill while you are away.
Just in case there is leftover water in your pipes, it wouldn’t hurt to grab a few insulation tubes to wrap your most vulnerable pipes, especially within 5 feet of your foundation or the ones outside your house.
2. Prepare Your Fireplace
It’s very important that you close the fireplace flue before you leave, which you can do yourself. If possible, you should also consider hiring a chimney sweep. This will help to prevent heat loss and buildup in your chimney.
It also wouldn’t hurt to place a wire mesh over the top of your chimney to prevent pests from taking over, especially if you don’t get the debris out of your chimney.
3. Set the Thermostat
It would be best to keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F (13°C) to prevent your most delicate systems from freezing over while you are away. This will protect your pipes inside your home and any wood materials from taking too much damage in extreme conditions without costing too much for heating.
4. Prevent Mold
Leave the doors to your dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliances open to prevent mold from growing in these moist, enclosed environments. This is an easy step that can save you some serious money.
It would be best if you also left all interior doors open. This will allow for better airflow throughout your house, which can prevent mold. It will also allow your heat to reach every area within your home.
5. Time to Unplug
Unplug all of your appliances, including your refrigerator. If you’re leaving for several months, it’s time to empty the fridge and freezer and save yourself some money on electric bills.
Unplug and remove your air conditioners, even if you won’t return until it’s warm. This is an easy way for heat to escape your house during the winter months, which will run up your utility bill.
6. Move Outdoor Supplies Inside
Your patio furniture, outdoor equipment, and any appliances that are outside should be moved to an indoor location for safekeeping. Garden hoses should be emptied and moved inside, along with any irrigation systems.
Outdoor furniture should be cleaned thoroughly and moved away from the elements. A shed or a barn will be fine, but a garage or basement will be better, as they tend to have better insulation.
Lawnmowers, weedwhackers, leaf blowers, and other outdoor appliances that run on gas need to be removed from their existing gas (do not dump it on your lawn) and stored in a shed or other indoor space.
7. Seal Air Leaks
This is a one-time fix that, if you haven’t already done it, will save you a lot of money. Get a door stopper for our exterior doors, use insulation caulk around your windows (you can hire a professional to do this), make sure that windows are locked tight, and try to close any holes that you find.
This will save you more money than you may realize. Anywhere from 10% to 50% of heat loss comes from air leaks around windows and doors, so if you’re paying for your thermostat to keep your home from freezing over, don’t overpay.
8. Prevent Pests
Closing those holes along the side of your home will prevent pests from getting in. This is a serious problem during the colder months, as mice and rats seek warmer shelter. Please don’t make your home into a haven for them before you leave, or you could be coming back to a serious problem.
Setting mouse traps, filling holes with steel wool, and laying mothballs in areas where they would be most likely to nest will go a long way. Mothballs work well on rodents, as they hate the smell of peppermint.
Also, avoid leaving any nesting materials out for them. Throw away old newspapers, keep clothes hung up, and don’t leave any food out during your stay. If you follow those steps, you should be in the clear!
9. Get Inspected
Inspect your heating system and other systems before you go to ensure they are working optimally and don’t pose any hazards. It wouldn’t hurt to get your roof inspected just to be safe, as the excess weight from heavy snow can cause very costly damage.
Look around for dead or dying trees close to your valuable items, like your home or your car, and remove them or their limbs in case of a storm.
If you’re worried about your roof, hire somebody or ask a loved one to give it a rake a couple of times during the peak of winter. It could save you thousands. If you have a neighbor or a loved one checking in periodically, ask them to look around the house for anything unusual, including smells, damage, or anything else.
Other Logistical Planning
Of course, this lifestyle doesn’t come without sacrifice, but it has plenty of benefits. Not everybody loves the snow, and many choose to spend their golden years in the sun. However, there are some important things to check off your list before you head south for the winter.
Change of Address
It’s important that you change your address with the post office if you’re going to be living away from home for several months. You can have a relative check your mail if you need to, but if you receive important and time-sensitive mail, you will want immediate access to it.
If you are staying in the US, it’s easy to forward your mail or change your address just by filling out a form with the USPS.
If you have any other deliveries outside the USPS, don’t forget to change them, especially for necessities like prescription medications. If you have regular deliveries from a private company, be sure to cancel them.
Is there any subscription you receive that is location-specific? Save yourself some money by canceling or pausing it. If you love receiving a copy of The Globe or The Herald, either try to access your subscription online or put a hold on it.
Insurance
Travel insurance is an excellent idea for a trip that is set to last a week or two, but it may not be feasible for a long-term stay. Talk to your insurance provider about options for a long-term stay.
More importantly, if your health insurance is tied to your state or country, you may find it difficult to get coverage. It’s important to contact your insurance provider and ask questions about your coverage before you go, as this is a common concern for snowbirds.
It is also an excellent idea to let your homeowner’s insurance provider know about your travel plans and your car insurance provider. If you are leaving your cars behind for several months, they may not need coverage.
Visas
While Massachusetts residents heading to Florida can stay for as long as they like, Canadian snowbirds might face a different challenge. This will also go for anybody traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean, or anywhere outside their home country.
The longest that a Canadian snowbird can stay in Florida is for up to 6 months with either a B1 or B2 visa, and you will have to check the standing for other countries in which you intend to visit or reside.
It’s best to apply for these visas as far in advance as possible and let the country where you will be residing know your plans. This includes where you’ll be staying, what you will be doing, and when you intend to leave. The more upfront you are, the easier the process will be.
If your passport expires within your stay, you should fill out a renewal application as far ahead in advance as possible to avoid any delays. The passport system has been backed up this year, so give yourself plenty of time in order to avoid complications later.
Plan for Your Belongings
Are you taking everything with you on a flight? Make sure that you weigh your bags and that you can bring them on the plane. Alternatively, make arrangements to ship or move your belongings down with you.
Whether you’re leaving for 2 months or 6 months, you’re going to need a lot of stuff. Is your lodging situation already furnished? Do you need movers? These are important questions to figure out as far in advance as possible.
If you are leaving the majority of your valuables at home, make sure that you have somebody check on your house from time to time, let your neighbors know about your travel plans, and, if possible, install an alarm system just in case. That extra peace of mind will help you a lot during your time away!
Whether or not you choose an alarm system, double-check that your windows and doors are locked, and your blinds are down, and upgrade your locking system as you see fit.
Enjoy The Sun!
Whether you’re a snowbird or a snowflake or just dreaming of being one, each lifestyle offers its unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and seasonal change. From the leisurely pace of a snowbird’s winter retreat to the brisk, activity-packed escapes of snowflakes, these migrations add a fascinating layer to our winter narratives.
Now that you have your checklist to prepare for the snowbird lifestyle, you’re good to go! Make sure that you do your diligence, protect your home, and rest assured that it’ll be there for you when you return! Stay up to date with our latest news, and feel free to contact us with any questions!
