Snowbirds?

[2goldens]

Originally Posted by koolclassics

What's with the negativity towards snowbirds that are on a lot of posts? Seems top me they bring a fair amount of prosperity to the area buying meals, furniture, fuel, home repairs, etc., etc. I think if no snowbirds came at all, the area would be a lot worse off. Just my opinion

Please do spent some time reading other Floridian threads. This statement does not apply to ALL and EVERY, it's just your very own opinion.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Roadrunner69

Dude don't even get me going, worked hard. Alot of the people that move down here were in the car industry turning a screw for 48.00 an hour and you saw they got a good education. Why is the car industry so screwed up now, the unions put them out of business. Sure the execs. took they're cuts but the unions were way ahead of them. It just gets me going everytime I think about it and I come from an area where alot of my friends worked in those plants. Sorry for the rant

That's it. MOST of the snowbirds in Lee County are retired auto workers. They can be very, very different than snowbirds from other areas.

For a brief (thank, god) time, I worked at the Walmart Pharmacy on Cypress Lake in Fort Myers. It's like ground zero for retirees. If I had to tell one of them their co-pay went from $3 to $5, you wouldn't believe the meltdown that would ensue.

"I'm on a fixed income!" they would shout.

Yeah. It's fixed. It's just a high amount. They have two homes, for crying out loud.

They've made huge money for just showing up every day for thirty-plus years; with benefits out the butt. Meanwhile, I can't afford to pay for most of that medicine that I'm handing out.

Educated? Give me a break. They were rude, crude and obnoxious.

The school system was the first reason that we moved, but the snowbirds were a close second.

I could have cared less about the traffic or waiting at a restaurant. What bothered me was being surrounded by constant hostility.

I once had a little old lady cuss me out, right in front of my kid. I wasn't driving FAST ENOUGH for her in a parking lot. I asked her if she talked to her grandchild with that mouth.

I borrowed my MIL's car one time. I pull into the station to get gas and I realize the tank is on the other side. I turn the car around and get out. This old guy starts screaming and yelling that I'm so stupid that I don't know where my gas tank is located. Fortunately, there was a young guy in the lot and he started in on him. He told him he was really sick of old people like him.

So there's your answer. Now you see why I didn't like the question. I knew I was going to tick someone off.

[fwi]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

There is also a lot of resentment in FL of anyone who is well off. Or is viewed as well off because they can afford to have more than one home.

The fact that they worked hard and got an education and are now enjoying the benefits of that hard work doesn't matter.

And in regards to driving, there is nothing worse than the FL trained driver. They don't even take a real road test here.

Anyone can get a DL in Florida.

The only resentment is that the "slowbirds" clog the roads, the stores, the restaurants, the beaches, etc.....during those 4 months.
Most of them try to spend as little as possible while in FL.
Have you ever seen the early birds lines in restaurants?
The French Canadians are the cheapest of the lot, just spend some time in Hollywood FL.
The worst drivers are all the ones with out of state plates.
And btw, a lot of fairly well off people live in Florida....

[yachtcare]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

So there's your answer. Now you see why I didn't like the question. I knew I was going to tick someone off.

Tooooo funny! We need a smiley than runs and ducks for cover.......

Tried to rep ya, "they" wouldnt let me..........

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by yachtcare

Tooooo funny! We need a smiley than runs and ducks for cover.......

Tried to rep ya, "they" wouldnt let me..........

This is the best I could find for hiknapster's post.

[TANaples]

I have no neighbors. They are snowbirds. How can you have any sense of community or develop a rapor with your neighbors when they are only here for a few months?

Oh, you are back. Oh, you are leaving. That is about the extent of it. Since I live in Collier, I sense the snowbird situation is more extreme than in Lee.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by TANaples

Since I live in Collier, I sense the snowbird situation is more extreme than in Lee.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there's an estimated 593k living in Lee County and 315k in Collier County. When I sold furniture, I always thought I'd make more money in Naples because of the concentration of wealth. However, I made more money in Fort Myers because there were more full-time residents in Lee County..and there are more homes! It also covers a wider shopping area, because people in Charlotte County (north) & Hendry County (east) often shop in Fort Myers.

An estimated 40% of Marco Island residents (Collier) are snowbirds. Having said that, when I lived on Sanibel (Lee) half the people on Sanibel & Captiva disappeared after May 1. Of course, common sense tells us that areas on the water will always have more tourism.

Originally Posted by TANaples

I have no neighbors. They are snowbirds. How can you have any sense of community or develop a rapor with your neighbors when they are only here for a few months?

Be careful what you wish for! LOL No neighbors sounds good to me!