New Survey: Best Snowbird Pairing Suggestions
Category: Snowbirds
December 31, 2023 — There seems to be a lot of interest in an updated survey of what our Members think are the best snowbird pairing suggestions – a combination of where you would like to live in winter and summer, given the opportunity to live in two or more places. Not that the winter has to be warm, because plenty of folks actually migrate north when the leaves start turning, although warmer winters are preferred by most.
To keep things simple, please post your opinions and what you or your friends actually do in the Comments section below. Just tell everyone where you go back and forth to, along with (ideally) how you get there (drive, fly, train, etc.), and how long you stay. Do you rent or own, and if you care to mention what you pay, that would be great too. People who own snowbird properties for rent are welcome to post their information so this can serve as a clearing house.
As our faithful contributor Daryl says, “a new survey would give everyone a chance to brag about new destinations they’ve found, diss all the old ones, and provide a few enterprising souls free advertising for their rentals. I’d suggest Pittsburgh, since we are getting warmer each year with less and less snow, have lots of indoor entertainment, but unfortunately can’t offer you any sunshine…”
Best Snowbird Pairing Suggestions
Daryl started things off with a recommendation for Pittsburgh. Having spent many a winter there growing up and in college, I can’t get too enthusiastic about that choice, but appreciate the suggestion nevertheless. My personal recommendation is what my wife, author Lucy Burdette, and I do – migrate from seaside Madison, CT all the way to the end of US.1, in beautiful Key West, FL. It has become quite expensive, but fun and guaranteed to be warm all winter. We drive down in early Nov. and come back in early May. Drive, because we have 2 pets that make flying difficult.
Your suggestions for best snowbird pairings please! Just put them in the Comments section below.
Comments on "New Survey: Best Snowbird Pairing Suggestions"
Frances says:
My husband and I retired 8 years ago sold our house and most of our belongings. We already had a motorhome so we hit the road. Our first year of retirement in 2015 I told him I wanted to spend the winter at a Motorcoach only resort in Webster, FL. Our dear friends owned a lot here at the time and we wanted to be close to them. We travel during the summer months visiting other family and friends and also take extended trips exploring other states.
Lo and behold if we didn't wind up buying a lot here that winter and now call it "home." We now have a son who lives in the Winter Garden area so that is all the more reason to stay in this area of Florida when we start to look for our forever home.
But we would like to have have a "summer" home and love the mountains of VA. We lived in VA most of our adult lives and feel "at home" there. Not exactly sure where at this time as it is too far in the future to start making serious plans for this next chapter.
Still taking it one day at a time now.
Daryl says:
Wasn’t serious about Pittsburgh in winter—it’s the eastern capital of seasonal affective disorder. Give me sunshine and trees with leaves.
John Brady comment: Good to know! Pittsburgh has many attractions, but its winter climate is not of those for me anyway.
Admin says:
Thanks Frances for telling your story. Always interesting to learn the twisty paths that lead people to happiness. Hope it continues to go well for you.
Admin says:
Among our friends there are so many variations of what makes for a great snowbird pairing. Several couples I know go from the New York suburbs in summer to Palm Springs, CA. It's a long way from the East and you wouldn't drive there, but the winter weather is good. Some others move from southern New England to New Hampshire - for the winter! They love winter and winter sports. Then there are the midwesterners who summer near Cleveland and rent just north of Sarasota in Lakewood Ranch. Finally, the longest distance folks I know summer in Vancouver, BC, and rent 3 months in the Florida Keys.
Bill says:
We have grandkids in Orlando, Spartanburg and Nashville. For 10 years, we snowbirded between NW Indiana and central Florida with stops among them. We used to stay 3 months in Central Florida, either Orlando or Daytona. Then we changed to two months there and another month in the Asheville area. The last couple years, rents have soared in Florida so we are debating on what to do going forward. Of course, NW Indiana is great for 9 months of the year. Nice weather and reasonable cost of living.
Moderator Flo says:
There is a site and app called Furnished Finder which allows you to locate furnished rentals all over the country (and maybe beyond?). Very helpful and easy to navigate!
Bill Bamber; Edmonton Ab. says:
Can think of a few places to Summer; as being Canadian has advantages.!! Winter it is "Rock 'n Roll".in Florida Key's!! Gotta keep Warm & Laff.!!