Category: Snowbirds
December 31, 2023 -- There seems to be a lot of interest in an updated survey of what our Members think are the best snowbird pairing suggestions - a combination of where you would like to live in winter and summer, given the opportunity to live in two or more places. Not that the winter has to be warm, because plenty of folks actually migrate north when the leaves start turning, although warmer winters are preferred by most.
To keep things simple, please post your opinions and what you or your friends actually do in the Comments section below. Just tell everyone where you go back and forth to, along with (ideally) how you get there (drive, fly, train, etc.), and how long you stay. Do you rent or own, and if you care to mention what you pay, that would be great too. People who own snowbird properties for rent are welcome to post their information so this can serve as a clearing house.
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Published on December 31, 2023
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Category: Adventurous retirement
Editor's note: Bill has been kind enough to write for Topretirements on other topics in the past, including the fascinating tale of his "Cleaning Out a Cluttered Victorian". This installment shares his adventures and lessons learned from driving his new all electric car all the way from Portland, Maine, to Key West, Florida . We think you will find it instructive, particularly if you, like your Editor, are considering buying an electric vehicle!
By Bill Carito
January 15, 2023. This past August, we took a leap of faith in the future and bought an all-electric Volkswagen Id.4 to replace our 2018 VW Tiguan. Why an all-electric? Why not a hybrid? After all, we are a one car family that would not be using this car solely for running errands around town, but also for our 15-18,000 miles per year traveling to see family and for our vacations, including our three-month stay in Key West, Florida.
Frankly? Some of it was about supporting new technology; some of it was a sense of now or never. But, for me, a big incentive was losing the internal combustion engine and all its complications. I’m sure this new tech will have its issues, but I’m going to trust that fewer moving parts means fewer potential mechanical problems.
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Published on January 14, 2023
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Category: Snowbirds
January 11, 2022 -- Millions of American retirees follow the example of their avian friends - they head south to snowbird when winter temperatures cool. Not all of them fly of course, about three times more drive than fly, and some take the Autotrain. According to a 2018 Topretirements survey of snowbird preferences, almost 60% said they are either "Extremely Likely" or "Likely" to be a snowbird in retirement. So if you are one of those who plans on going south for part of the winter, don't make these snowbirding mistakes.
Not reserving early enough. This is the starting impediment to becoming a snowbird. The best spots are usually reserved by current renters before they leave in the spring. So if you wait until late in the calendar year before you book, choices will be limited and prices higher.
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Published on January 10, 2023
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Category: Real Estate Listings
October 4, 2022 — The loss of human life and billions of dollars in property damage from last week’s Hurricane is tragic. The storm also brought concerns for snowbirds – will their rentals still be available, or were their homes seriously damaged? Folks have been calling their friends and scouring…
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Published on October 3, 2022
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Category: Snowbirds
Updated Nov., 2023 – The leaves are turning and there is a chill in the air in the Northeast and Midwest. So it’s time we once again link to the “Snowbirds Leaving for the Winter Checklist” that we originally published in 2010. Every year we add to it in different…
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Published on September 27, 2022
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Category: Snowbirds
June 15, 2022 -- One of the most frequent questions we get from Members is how to find a snowbird rental for the winter as a snowbird. Their questions usually center on where to go, and how to find a good one. In this article we will share some basic steps on how to get started. Best of all, we will highlight some of the most interesting and useful Comments from our Members on this topic.
Two Keys to SuccessThe keys to success in finding a good snowbird rental are quite simple: get started early, and use every option you can think of. One strategy that rarely yields good results is hoping to luck into something at the last minute.
How to Find a Snowbird Rental - Many Advantages
There are many advantages to finding a snowbird rental in a warm place for some or all of the winter. There is the obvious one: it gets you out of the frozen Midwest, icy Northeast, or the dark/dreary/wet Pacific Northwest for a pleasant interlude in the sun. Another big advantage of snowbird rentals is that they give you a chance to see and experience different parts of the country with very little risk or expense. If you ever decide to purchase a place either as a snowbird or for year-round living, you will be a much more educated buyer. Yet another advantage: it provides an opportunity to be visit friends and family without overstaying your welcome.
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Published on June 14, 2022
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Category: Retirement Real Estate
May 10, 2022 — People living in a retirement face a new and growing problem – short term renters. While the problem is more acute in resort communities, it can occur almost anywhere. Imagine living in a peaceful community where you know your neighbors on a first name basis. Then…
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Published on May 10, 2022
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
April 20, 2022 — Highways are filling up with snowbirds headed north right now. Those trips provide the perfect excuse for exploring the many wonderful East Coast towns along the way. Here are 10 towns that we think are definitely worth a detour, either for a night in a B…
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Published on April 19, 2022
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
February , 2022 — Depending where you live, you might be familiar with the concept of a Chautauqua community, those seasonal assemblies dedicated to four pillars: the arts, education, recreation, and religion. As such they offer the perfect snowbird retirement for people who love culture. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and…
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Published on February 27, 2022
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Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
October 27, 2021 – When it comes to naming the best places to be a snowbird many familiar towns come to mind. Most are in Florida, Arizona, California, Texas, and South Carolina for the obvious reasons, as they are the warmest contiguous states in winter. But this year a list…
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Published on October 27, 2021
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