Many snowbirds are retiring couples, but for those of you blazing your own trail, this post is for you! (I just got back home from a horse ride in Aiken, SC, so you might wanna saddle-up for this one!)
For birds currently flying solo~
By considering these factors and implementing specific solutions tailored to your needs and preferences, you can confidently choose a winter destination that offers the ideal combination of comfort, convenience, and enjoyment for your snowbird lifestyle.
If you’re “birds of a feather, stick together” and all coupled-up for your snowbird adventure—don’t worry these tips and solutions will still help you.
As a snowbird, currently single in her thirties (see bio regarding youngest snowbird status ;)) here are some important considerations to guide us towards our best Snowbird Life. For those of you looking to become a snowbird, there are several factors to consider when choosing a location for your winter retreat. Here’s how you might approach the decision-making process and the specific solutions you could come up with.
Climate Preferences:
Consider your tolerance for cold weather and desire for warmer climates during the winter months. Research destinations known for mild winters and plenty of sunshine, such as Florida, Arizona, or Southern California.
My experience: This winter, I’m exploring Florida and Dixie Land (Southeast United States) so I can see what 60s and sunny really feels like. So far, it feels like an eternal midwestern Spring. The trees and flowers start blossoming at the end of February.
General Solution: Opt for a location with a Mediterranean or subtropical climate to ensure comfortable temperatures and minimal risk of winter storms. Hurricane season on the East Coast and the Gulf is June-November, so that’s a benefit for those of us returning to our northern homes for the summer.
Cost of Living:
Evaluate the cost of living in potential snowbird destinations, including housing, groceries, entertainment, and healthcare expenses. Look for areas that offer affordable housing options and reasonable expenses for daily necessities.
My Experience: Luckily, I work remote so I made the choice to give up my lease in the Midwest and allot my normal housing budget for short term rentals in my designated areas. This winter I chose to spend one month in each place using Airbnb, Vrbo or word of mouth. Follow your budget and remember snowbird life isn’t vacationing. For example, I cook at home a ton and eat in while snowbirding.
- TIP: Traveling nurses and medical staff have become more popular and are helping to increase the short-term rental market. This benefits Snowbirds that decide to explore an area before they commit to investing in a second location.
General Solution: Explore smaller towns or suburbs near major cities where the cost of living may be lower while still providing access to amenities and services.
Safety and Security:
Prioritize safety when selecting a winter destination. Research crime rates and neighborhood reputations to ensure you’ll feel secure in your new environment.
My Experience: I’m grateful to have traveled quite a bit. Growing up, my family camped a lot, and our parents prioritized travel as much as they could. My mom was incredibly resourceful—not just with budget but with her approach. [Scroll down for a fun coming of age Travel Story that really impacted me!] Next was North America and Europe with four other people in our band’s touring Sprinter Van. (This was before Sprinters were popular for nomadic travel). And then on my own, or with fellow expat friends, around Southeast Asia. (Oh, and that youth volunteer trip to Mexico when I was 16.) These experiences helped me build my TACIT knowledge and culture which honed my travel-safety skills.
- I highly recommend traveling alone in Europe to experience their Hostel Culture. This will provide you a great foundation and confidence boost for traveling alone. In my opinion, American hotel/motel culture and Suburbia doesn’t really provide an adequate on-ramp to capital-T Travel.
(I’m listening to Arcade Fire’s Suburbs album as I type the rest of this post, join me!)
General Solution: Choose gated communities or neighborhoods with active neighborhood watch programs for added security and peace of mind. That Neighbor Watch App could be a helpful research tool.
Ideally, pick places to visit where you know someone. Or perhaps someone from your network knows someone there. Start connecting the lines of your life and enjoy the geometry! Tell people you’d like to get to know an area and see if they know, or their network knows, someone there.
Recreation & Social Connections:
Snowbirding is not the same as vacationing. ‘Nough said.
(My horse trail guide LaDonna had a maple syrup Carolina accent, so—’nough sehd’ 🙂
Seek out snowbird communities or active adult communities that offer a range of amenities and social activities tailored to your preferences. Look for communities with fitness centers, swimming pools, social clubs, and organized events.
My Experience: I chose to join communities in my northern home state that had a national footprint. That way when I explore other areas to potentially live, I have a built-in community to invest in. This really helps take the transplant edge off.
General Solutions: Join local clubs, sports, recreation, or interest groups that align with your hobbies, whether it’s a book club, hiking group, or art class, to meet like-minded individuals and build connections in your new community. Prioritize social opportunities. Don’t hide! Attend community events, join social clubs or groups, and participate in volunteer activities to meet new people and foster friendships in your winter destination.
Healthcare & Transportation:
Ensure access to quality healthcare services in your winter destination.
I choose to follow Dr. Carolyn Dean’s regimen (<- save 15% off with my link) which keeps my body super healthy and reduces the need for typical American doctoring/pharma-ing (maybe the latest Big Bad industrial complex). Research nearby hospitals, clinics, and specialists to address any healthcare needs that may arise during your Snowbird stay. Also, consider how you’ll travel to and from your winter destination, as well as transportation options within the area. Evaluate proximity to airports, public transportation routes, and major highways for ease of travel.
My Experience: When I bought my latest vehicle, I wanted a manual. It didn’t have cruise control, so with the help of Youtube, got to do the whole DYI thing! Cruise-control is KEY for long snowbird trips. And if cruise control keeps me relaxed on the road, sunflower seeds keep me alive on the road! [I need to link to a future post packing your snowbird vehicle]. My other tip for single snowbirds is to keep your drive days 6.5 hours or less. That way you can work in the morning, leave by noon, and still arrive at your destination by dinnertime.
- TIP: Minimize the amount of dark night driving alone.
Regarding my personal snowbird healthcare, I found an MD who is also a Naturopath and I follow her highly effective regimen. I also joined a HealthShare. Lastly, I’ve also greatly benefitted seeking out the local Asian grocery store and talking to the local herbalist. I mainly use western medicine for diagnostic purposes or if you require actual procedures.
General Solutions: Choose a location near reputable medical facilities and consider enrolling in a telemedicine program for remote access to healthcare services when needed. Invest in a reliable vehicle for local transportation and consider renting a car or using ride-sharing services for longer trips or outings.
Travel Story Time
Here’s the Travel Story that really happened to me and my family that really impacted what is possible in Life—especially what possible in Travel. I will give my late mother (Rennette, I love YOU) the credit for this one. My father was pretty cool to guard his wife and two tween girls on this adventure. And it turned out amazing!
I remember I was 13, and my sister would’ve been around nine or ten. We heading to Cancun for Spring Break. On the flight down, my mom got to talking to some people on the plane. They were a small family as well—mom, dad and two kids. They were headed to the island Isla Mujeres (The Island of Women). Our family had booked a fancy hotel on the beach in Cancun, The Sheraton— I vividly recall the beautifully marbled lobbies and letting the waves throw us around. We spent all day on the beach. The other family had booked a small hotel named Hotel De Gomez on the island. Here’s the kicker. Somehow our parents decided to swap a night! We gave them access to our room at the Sheraton, and we got to experience the small and very local-feeling island (this was in the late 1990s before Isla Mujeres became super touristy).
I don’t recall the room key exchange. I know we were ferried over. The Hotel De Gomez was four stories of unpainted cinder block. No elevator. My memory likes to recall it leaning a bit a la Gaza. I got electrocuted in the middle of the night trying to find the light switch to go to the bathroom. But it was awesome!
We rented a golf cart and drove around the ENTIRE island! We snorkeled and had the BEST shore lunch I’ve ever had to this day (I save the fish eyes and brought home to my then friend- later in life husband- as a souvenir). We dove in the deep crystal clear water for conch shells (whoa ear pressure) and I got one! A simpler time then, we brought the huge shell home in our check baggage and it made it through security.
We made it back to the tourist area on the mainland. And honestly, they were both great experiences. This taught me two things:
One, talk to safe people when traveling.
And two, the often less expensive local experience can easily equal, and often beats, the typical suburban tourist experience any day of the week
I’m going to publish this post without photos for now, and I’ll come back later to add them. It’s time to sleep and dream of snorkeling in the vibrant living tropical reefs of the 1990s.
And thank you mom.
#KodakMoment
From the Archive: Best Travel Moments
Hai Van Pass, Viet Nam
Photographed by Vu 2017;
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Me motorcycling the famous Hai Van Pass in Viet Nam during my first 30 days there! It became of the most beautiful regular past times of my life. This photo is from my very first trip over the pass. A local Vietnamese friend took me, and I road on the back of his motorbike. The next several times I did it on my own motorbike with friends and we covered our skin completely winding around cows on American paved roads from the “American War”. At the top, we stop for Vietnamese Coffee, jungle views and watch the monkeys. Oh Asia, how I miss you so…
SunChaser 