Future Snowbirds..where would you choose in Florida?

[HeatherC]

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.

So what? You don't own the town. Now you are sounding like a spoiled child. Sorry but you are.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

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.

Well, be that as it may, obviously there are plenty of Northerners who find snowbirding in your town appealing. And they’re not going to stop coming. More importantly, I don’t believe you’re really helping the OP at all with these kinds of comments. And that’s a shame, because you’re uniquely qualified to do so given your year-round status in such a place.

 

[wgeo]

Just so you know, not everyone down here hates snowbirds. Some of my good friends are people I met after I moved down here who are snowbirds. I miss them when they leave and am excited when they come back.

Is it nice to get places faster in the summer? Sure Is it nice to wait less at the restaurants? Sure But the great school system my kids go to due to the very nice tax base down here is also very nice, the snowbirds sure pump a lot of excitement, life, traffic and money into this place. I choose to see the good parts and try to ignore the challenging parts.

 

[hertamaniac]

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 do agree with this, but it's not just limited to Publix. When I talk with some of the snowbird retirees, I am finding more and more of them have a sense of entitlement.

 

[JaxDad]

I’ve lived all over Florida for the past 30+ years. My children can date their Florida roots on their mom’s side back to the 1586 fire in St. Augustine. As I’ve posted, I don’t mind transplants or especially tourists coming here. It is a huge part of our economy. I will say though, that while living in the Fort Lauderdale area I encountered MANY recent transplants from the Northeast who were just MISERABLE. All they did was complain. I wondered why they stayed if they were so miserable, but realized they were probably miserable in their original states too!

 

[soccerdad72]

I’ve lived all over Florida for the past 30+ years. My children can date their Florida roots on their mom’s side back to the 1586 fire in St. Augustine. As I’ve posted, I don’t mind transplants or especially tourists coming here. It is a huge part of our economy. I will say though, that while living in the Fort Lauderdale area I encountered MANY recent transplants from the Northeast who were just MISERABLE. All they did was complain. I wondered why they stayed if they were so miserable, but realized they were probably miserable in their original states too!

Honestly, I think that it's mostly just that retired folks often make an Olympic sport out of complaining about stuff. Speaking to my MIL some days, I swear she makes her life out to be so rough

 

[JaxDad]

Honestly, I think that it's mostly just that retired folks often make an Olympic sport out of complaining about stuff. Speaking to my MIL some days, I swear she makes her life out to be so rough

I generally agree, but I was referring mostly to younger transplants with whom I worked (ages 25-45)!

 

[morgan98]

We own property in Mount Dora- a cute little town in central Florida about 40 minutes north of Orlando- not on the ocean but on a very large lake. We looked at a lot of places in FL and SC but fell in love with this place.

My mother in law and sister in law both live in Mount Dora and love it! It has such a cute downtown area. Feels small townish but is still not too far from Orlando or Tampa for that matter.

 

[dish rag]

My mother in law and sister in law both live in Mount Dora and love it! It has such a cute downtown area. Feels small townish but is still not too far from Orlando or Tampa for that matter.

It's a nice town to visit a few times a year to eat and look around. I know several people who live there. Nice, not typical Florida and not too much going on.

 

[jerseygal]

We like Orlando area, Sarasota/Siesta Beach/Longboat Key area, Tampa/Clearwater/St.Pete Beach. Would consider Ft. Myers possibly. We love the gulf beaches more than the east coast. A few people have mentioned Bonita Beach, which is gulf coast. Anyone know anything about this area?
We would be looking possibly to rent January through April 30th when we first went down, not looking to jump into a purchase right away. If we didn't love the area the first year, next year try a different area. Hoping to rent in a 55+ community with clubhouse/pool/fitness and social activities. Both DS plan to continue living in NJ/commuting to careers in NYC, so want to stay involved in their lives and hopefully grandchildren one day!

 

[dish rag]

We like Orlando area, Sarasota/Siesta Beach/Longboat Key area, Tampa/Clearwater/St.Pete Beach. Would consider Ft. Myers possibly. We love the gulf beaches more than the east coast. A few people have mentioned Bonita Beach, which is gulf coast. Anyone know anything about this area?
We would be looking possibly to rent January through April 30th when we first went down, not looking to jump into a purchase right away. If we didn't love the area the first year, next year try a different area. Hoping to rent in a 55+ community with clubhouse/pool/fitness and social activities. Both DS plan to continue living in NJ/commuting to careers in NYC, so want to stay involved in their lives and hopefully grandchildren one day!

We love Lido Key and Longoat Key and try the spend a long weekend every other month or so. Really like St. Armand's Cir. That area would be great to spend extended time during the winter but it's very expensive and gets very crowded at times.

 

[MIGrandma]

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.

Wow, I hope true Minnesotans don't think of you like you think of Northerners coming to Florida for the winter.

When DH and I retire we will probably spend 2-3 months each winter in a warmer climate. Maybe sometimes Florida (sorry-not sorry gmar1210 ) and if we do choose Florida it would probably be the Cocoa Beach area and rent a condo. DH's sister and brother-in-law rent a condo there, on the beach, for the month of January. A couple years ago they could only stay 3 weeks so let us have their 4th week and we really enjoyed it. We've cruised out of that area a few times and really like it. We'd like to try Arizona and Texas too. I'm quite sure we'd never buy a place, just rent a condo wherever we decide to spend our winters.

DH's Dad and Mom bought a place in a 55+ community in Palmetto, Florida many years ago, probably at least 30 or more. We used to enjoy visiting them there, but the last few years not as much. The park has expanded too much, and the lots are too close together. They have music playing constantly in the clubhouse and at the pool, and you're pretty much expected to participate in most of the activities at the clubhouse, take a turn hosting coffee, etc. Just not my cup of tea. This is actually his Dad's last winter there as they just sold their place last week. (and now step-Mom as his Mom passed away in 2000)

 

[RedAngie]

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?

"True Floridians". Just being born there isn't enough. Your grandparents, or great-grandparents, must have lived there continuously since at least the 1920's.

 

[wgeo]

We love Lido Key and Longoat Key and try the spend a long weekend every other month or so. Really like St. Armand's Cir. That area would be great to spend extended time during the winter but it's very expensive and gets very crowded at times.

Yeah those are great areas, but for sure St Armands is pretty much the most expensive area around. Sarasota in general is pretty expensive, but there are a number of places just 5 or 10 minutes further away from the beach that are more "reasonably" priced.

 

[kuhltiffany]

My parents are snow birds in FL, as were my grandparents. As for my future plan (after living for 2 years on the West Coast), I will NEVER winter in FL. The winters are really not that warm and if they are, the humid stickiness is cloying. Have you considered AZ or TX?

 

[Southernmiss]

My in laws retired to Palm Coast Florida in 1999. Loved the area, at first. But so did everyone else. There was a crazy population boom and the area rapidly grew. By 2004, they were selling and packing up to move to rural Middle Tennessee on 15 acres.

Just another thing to be cautious of.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

We moved to SWF (Naples) several years ago and love it. We live down here all year round, so not snowbirds. "Season" is very busy, but it add a lot of money to the economy. The biggest difference is the roads are busier and you need to make reservations at your favorite restaurants. Since I lived in the NE most of my life, the traffic was far worse in NJ and you had to make reservations for dinner, so not much of a difference for me that way.

I've met plenty of really nice snow birds and northerners down here, and I've met some really nice Floridians. I don't think geography dictates manners or kindness. You get good and bad anywhere.

I find the life style much more relaxed, and I love it.

I think you need to find an area that has what you are looking to do while you are down here. I live close to the beach and love going for morning walks and evening sunsets. We have some really nice parks, and good restaurants.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Op, I Think it’s a great idea to rent in an area, especially within a community you are considering, before purchasing if you can. Get a feel for the area as a whole ( though the months you’re talking about are “on season” so it’s typically busier.
We ultimately chose Naples (having visited a few times.)
Beautiful weather year Round,( I love the summer heat lol) magnificent beaches, wonderful Museums, Theaters, a Shopping Mecca, lovely downtown area and fabulous restaurants.. the list is endless.
Researching (specific town) forums may help.
Wherever you decide... enjoy!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My parents are snow birds in FL, as were my grandparents. As for my future plan (after living for 2 years on the West Coast), I will NEVER winter in FL. The winters are really not that warm and if they are, the humid stickiness is cloying. Have you considered AZ or TX?

I think the Heat & humidity is way worse in TX than FL.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

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.

Oh, the irony!