Future Snowbirds..where would you choose in Florida?

[gmar1210]

I think all us snowbirds and transplants keep that Florida economy humming. Yeah traffic stinks..but there is always a trade off in life.

No you don't keep it going. We were fine before northerners started moving here. Our tourism keeps it going.

 

[HeatherC]

But then they cannot stop talking about where they are from. You hear it from the New Yorkers all the time.....In New York the Pizza is better, the italian is better and how beautiful the leaves in the fall are. I once snapped at a restaurant because these 2 couples next to us would not shut up about how great New York is. I turned around and asked them "Well if you guys love New York so much, why did you move here." They said nothing and continued talking.

Not to be mean...really, but why would you even care about people having a discussion like this if you are happy where you are and in your life? Doesn't matter where people are...there are always going to be those who complain. We can choose to be bothered by them or ignore them and just be happy.

And you would think since they were in sunny Florida in the winter they would be happy. They probably wouldn't be happy in NY either.

 

[soccerdad72]

No you don't keep it going. We were fine before northerners started moving here. Our tourism keeps it going.

Technically, aren't snowbirds just long-term tourists?

 

[HeatherC]

We can agree to disagree. After all that keeps things interesting. But remember they are also paying real estate taxes, eating in the local restaurants, buying from the local shops. All that does help the economy. You may not like it and that's ok.

And believe it or not, some of us "northerners " are actually nice people.

 

[dish rag]

We hope to soon not have a place in Fla. Yes, we will come down a lot during winter months but will rent a place a place. It's a hassle keeping a second place and expensive. Many snow birds eventually sell because they realize this.

 

[dish rag]

We can agree to disagree. After all that keeps things interesting. But remember they are also paying real estate taxes, eating in the local restaurants, buying from the local shops. All that does help the economy. You may not like it and that's ok.

And believe it or not, some of us "northerners " are actually nice people.

But it's temporary and most of the jobs created are min. wage jobs or very low paying service industry jobs.

 

[HeatherC]

No you don't keep it going. We were fine before northerners started moving here. Our tourism keeps it going.

But it's temporary and most of the jobs created are min. wage jobs or very low paying service industry jobs.

But they are STILL jobs. Those dollars allow people to run their restaurants and shops and make a living. And it really isn't temporary because the tourists and snowbirds keep coming.

 

[HeatherC]

We hope to soon not have a place in Fla. Yes, we will come down a lot during winter months but will rent a place a place. It's a hassle keeping a second place and expensive. Many snow birds eventually sell because they realize this.

This is also a possibility for us as well. Then I see my mother in law who has a simple one bedroom down there and only pays like $500 a year in fees and minimal in taxes and I think....hmmm that is actually cheaper than renting. Decisions decisions.

 

[JaxDad]

The "true Floridians" wouldn't have much of an economy if it wasn't for all the transplants and snow birds. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

I for one am happy you all cover my state income tax burden...

 

[NotUrsula]

Just to throw this out, small towns may be charming, but think about how much medical care you might need, and how you're going to get around once driving becomes an issue. It is best to try to find a place that has a good hospital system and nursing homes close enough for an elderly spouse to visit without a major drive, and that also has reliable public transit. (Yes, Lyft & Uber are great, but when you need a ride everywhere you need to go, it quickly becomes too pricey on a fixed income.)

We have no intention of snow-birding; when we go we will move full-time. Also, we are way too cheap to pay for two homes.

 

[dish rag]

This is also a possibility for us as well. Then I see my mother in law who has a simple one bedroom down there and only pays like $500 a year in fees and minimal in taxes and I think....hmmm that is actually cheaper than renting. Decisions decisions.

Usually it's that much a month. At least.

 

[dish rag]

But they are STILL jobs. Those dollars allow people to run their restaurants and shops and make a living. And it really isn't temporary because the tourists and snowbirds keep coming.

Temporary in that they only only here for a few months out of the year. Much better to live in a place with high paying jobs than low paying jobs. Orlando is actually becoming a very poor area.

 

[jodifla]

I think this is kind of true. Where my MIL is in Delray, she has met up with people she went to elementary school with back here in Boston over 60 years ago.

My brother had a place near Englewood...Cape Haze actually ...north of Ft Myers, and everyone we met there was actually from Rhode Island where they live.

I think people find somewhere they like and talk about it to friends who then check it out and like it too.

It's partly that, but I also think it comes from where the interstates go. Years ago, when there was no great way to cross the state, people from the NE drove down 95, found a place near the water and settled, and people from the Midwest drove down 75 and did the same.

Growing up in Tampa, it felt very Midwestern. I was shocked at how "New York-y" it was when I moved to the Fort Lauderdale area.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

We have enough snowbirds/transplants living here. This time of the year is horrible to drive down in South Florida. The Canadian and New York drivers are the worst. So do all us true Floridians a favor, move out west.

So please let us know who is a "true" Floridian in your eyes. Do you have to be born in the State to be considered acceptable? Last time I checked, as an American you were free to move around the United States as you pleased. It sounds like you are starting to hate sharing the State with "outsiders". Have you considered moving out west yourself?

 

[gmar1210]

So please let us know who is a "true" Floridian in your eyes. Do you have to be born in the State to be considered acceptable? Last time I checked, as an American you were free to move around the United States as you pleased. It sounds like you are starting to hate sharing the State with "outsiders". Have you considered moving out west yourself?

In my "eyes", a true Floridian is one is is born and raised in Florida. Talk to any true florida native and ask them about snowbirds/northerners. We celebrate every April when we see the car transports dragging the snowbirds cars away back up north. We find many snowbirds/transplants obnoxious. Now not everyone from up north is this way but many are.

My work is considering transferring me to Minnesota which I am not crazy about. Much rather stay here.

 

[wgeo]

We live in FL, gulf coast side. Personally I love the heat year round, which probably makes me weird.

As far as snowbirds - some things to consider, there are certainly some areas that are quieter and some that are busier. What are you looking for while you are here? Would you like to go out into a quiet backyard and go for quiet walks every day? Are having a lot of variety of restaurants an important thing for you? Do you like to attend the symphony, or theater, or go to weekend events etc? Do you want to get involved in a church that welcomes snowbirds ramps up extra activities for them while they're here?

Thinking about what your ideal time here would look like will give you a better idea of which area might fit your needs more.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

In my "eyes", a true Floridian is one is is born and raised in Florida. Talk to any true florida native and ask them about snowbirds/northerners. We celebrate every April when we see the car transports dragging the snowbirds cars away back up north. We find many snowbirds/transplants obnoxious. Now not everyone from up north is this way but many are.

My work is considering transferring me to Minnesota which I am not crazy about. Much rather stay here.

Well if you do have to move to Minnesota, I hope you are welcomed with opened arms and not by people who have preconceived ideas of what a Floridian is like. You may have been born in Florida but at some point in the past your people were transplanted there. Maybe it was your parents, grandparents, great grandparents etc. Everyone has an immigrant background, unless you are Native American.

Acceptance is key to integrating to your surroundings. The population is imploding everywhere, not just in Florida. If you think the traffic is bad there try living in NYC, LA, San Francisco or any other major city.

 

[hertamaniac]

I'm perfectly happy with more folks coming to Florida; it is driving our real estate investments/values much higher.

 

[gmar1210]

Well if you do have to move to Minnesota, I hope you are welcomed with opened arms and not by people who have preconceived ideas of what a Floridian is like. You may have been born in Florida but at some point in the past your people were transplanted there. Maybe it was your parents, grandparents, great grandparents etc. Everyone has an immigrant background, unless you are Native American.

Acceptance is key to integrating to your surroundings. The population is imploding everywhere, not just in Florida. If you think the traffic is bad there try living in NYC, LA, San Francisco or any other major city.

HAHAHAHA. Are you serious. You are bring up where my "people" immigrated from? You really do not get it.

Where I live, during the off season our town is nice and peaceful. You can go out to eat and not have to wait hours and can go to the beach and not have any issues finding parking. As soon as the snowbirds come, that all changes. Traffic is horrible. all the restaurants are crowded. All the parking is full at the beach. You hear them at the restaurants complaining about the food and being rude to staff. You go to Publix and hear them in line complaining how the store does not carry a certain item and how it available up north.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

HAHAHAHA. Are you serious. You are bring up where my "people" immigrated from? You really do not get it.

Where I live, during the off season our town is nice and peaceful. You can go out to eat and not have to wait hours and can go to the beach and not have any issues finding parking. As soon as the snowbirds come, that all changes. Traffic is horrible. all the restaurants are crowded. All the parking is full at the beach. You hear them at the restaurants complaining about the food and being rude to staff. You go to Publix and hear them in line complaining how the store does not carry a certain item and how it available up north.

I live in a huge city. Everyone, just like in Florida is an immigrant of some sort. There is no parking here, you have to reserve weeks ahead of time to get into a restaurant. We don't have a beach. We have severe overcrowding every.single.day. There is no "nice and peaceful time".

I'm sure born and raised Floridians never complain about their meal in a restaurant and driving perfectly.

I think it's time for you to get out of Florida or adapt to change because the world is changing - as it does - constantly.