Snowbird or relocate full time ? (80+, acquaintance, spouse, communities)
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Consider that if you simply vacation during the worst parts of a northern winter, you have the freedom to travel to different destinations in different years. Or not. If you own/maintain both summer and winter residences, you may not be able to afford travel anywhere else or feel "obligated" to use what you already have. Of course, people are free to have different preferences, but for me, knowing there's a property of mine sitting unoccupied (or occupied by strangers) and potentially at risk because of it would drive me nuts.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stagman
Hi
... We like the change of seasons and it is very nice here about 4-5 months a year. ....
Sound's like majority of yr might be preferred elsewhere.
I found it was nicer to visit my previous home (when the weather was nice) rather than have to live there FT.
thus... I would consider a domicile in income tax free state, and be somewhat mobile until I found a nest.
SD offers FT income tax free domicile for only ONE overnight per lifetime. I kinda like no state income tax hassles. (Tho I'm not SD domiciled, yet). I like my Enhanced DL too well to relocate domicile to SD. But eventually I will.
'Home-bodies' can use alternative residences* rather than tie up a bundle of cash in a home they seldolm use.
My wife and I live in northern Michigan and are nearing retirement. We like the change of seasons and it is very nice here about 4-5 months a year. The problem is the other months. We are debating to snowbird a few months of the year or to relocate to an area with more moderate winters and at least some more sunshine. Please, anyone who has made this decision or has other suggestions or destination ideas comment away !!. Thanks.
If you have the financial resources, snowbird. Buy one or two low maintenence townhomes or such in well run HOAs and you have no worries.
Consider that if you simply vacation during the worst parts of a northern winter, you have the freedom to travel to different destinations in different years. Or not. If you own/maintain both summer and winter residences, you may not be able to afford travel anywhere else or feel "obligated" to use what you already have. Of course, people are free to have different preferences, but for me, knowing there's a property of mine sitting unoccupied (or occupied by strangers) and potentially at risk because of it would drive me nuts.
I feel the same way and want to stay at different southern locations. Owning a second home would be too much of a hassle and expense. Granted it might be a good investment with appreciation. I want the flexibility. Might even go the small travel trailer route.
My wife and I live in northern Michigan and are nearing retirement. We like the change of seasons and it is very nice here about 4-5 months a year. The problem is the other months. We are debating to snowbird a few months of the year or to relocate to an area with more moderate winters and at least some more sunshine. Please, anyone who has made this decision or has other suggestions or destination ideas comment away !!. Thanks.
I snowbirded last winter in South Florida, and loved it! But I'm not ready to commit to going back this year, and as I write this I'm exploring UNESCO towns in Mexico. I committed to a longer lease term in Florida, and I'm now utilizing Airbnb in Mexico until I decide which area I want to commit to for the rest of the season.
I recommend searching for rentals in some of the areas you and your wife have thought about moving to, and try out each place at least for a month. Airbnb will be the best way to go for a one-month stay; using an agent may be the better option when locking up a rental for the full snowbirding season.
My in-laws brought a townhouse in Naples Florida in the early 1980's.
They were snowbirds. However, my MIL insisted on coming back up north for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It seemed like every January, on the trip down south, there was some type of snow delay.
When my FIL began his decline, they stopped going. It's been empty for a decade now. My MIL is too ill to go down to pack it up. Instead, she pays the monthly maintenance and I guess will give it to one of her daughters.
If you sell before you're too old to use it, it works well. A rental is easier.
We would rather vacation in different places, not go back to the same place year after year. Owning 2 homes just doubles all the expenses, and hassles. Now that there are so many short term and long term rentals on the internet, you can find great places to rent for a few weeks to a few months if you like. No need to take on all the extra costs and worries of maintaining 2 homes.
We were snowbirds for many winters. Lived upstate NY, had a motorhome and left for five months a year. Sometimes just traveling around the country. Water circuit breaker shut off, mail forwarded (most mail was electronic, which is how we paid bills) heat down to 60, arrangements for a weekly check, snow plowing, toilets off, and we left.
Medical care was one of the big reasons we stopped. We were used to medical care in NJ (lived NY) and some places where we stayed (FL Keys) it was like being in a third world country. I would advise renting here and there before moving. Important is making friends, activities, organizations. It isn't only the weather.
A person can snowbird without owning 2 residences. Just rent during the winter.
If renting in the snowbird location, you can try different areas each year. It's fun to explore different areas.
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