Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
Our beloved Bodie and Dan shortly before Bo’s cancer diagnosis, Miramar Beach in Northwest Florida, November 2024 The Hardest Goodbye One Last Snowbird Season with our Beloved and Terminal Golden Retriever Eight years ago we excitedly brought our strong, stubborn, energetic male Golden Retriever puppy, …
A huge part of the road trip is planning the stops, including the small town road side stands such as Papas in Brantley, Alabama Pre Check-In List for Snowbirds Avoid Surprises and Hassles by Verifying in Advance of Arrival As both an owner and a …
Prior to the rise of the powerful internet and social media, information was exchanged and shared in person, in local establishments amongst patrons and through traditional media channels such as newspapers, magazines and other sources.
That has changed over the years to now include information shared within online specialty groups dedicated to geographical areas and specific interests. This created an increased need to be aware of the Q&A responses within the groups. Don't believe or buy into everything that is discussed and stated as fact within the groups. When I titled this post, "Nonsense" was the most polite way to describe two initials that I would have rather used: B and S.
As an example, I've seen online administrators shoot themselves in the face and feet as recently as today. I was flabbergasted when a very large Facebook group of thousands of members dedicated to local snowbirds in Northwest Florida informed their audience that "Starting November 1st, Only Snowbird Business will be permitted. No Rental Advertising!"
A member of the group said, "I like seeing the places available. Is it a problem posting them?" and was told by the administrator, "Most Snowbirds have already found places to stay for the winter. We want to focus on promoting our activities offered by the club for the winter."
A logical follow-up question was posed, "Every year many of us have to find a place to rent in order to come and enjoy those activities. It is becoming more difficult each year to find a place at the right price. Maybe there could be a separate place on the web site to post them so anyone interested could go have a look."
A second administrator said, "Rental postings will be allowed on the "XYZ" snowbird page March 1-Oct 31" and sent the woman to ANOTHER generic web site that doesn't have anything to do with snowbirds or rentals. It's simply a geographical group for Northwest Florida.
Wow, just WOW! Unbelievably short sighted.
In response to the member who asked about rentals I replied, "Wow, like you, I think there's many people who need the snowbird rental info all year round. I know this because I see the requests online and there's many reasons snowbird bookings are not yet complete. I recommend joining private Facebook rental groups such as..." I then listed three excellent groups. I really wanted to say much more, but refrained. Smart administrators would want to keep their members engaged within their OWN group, not send them elsewhere. Motives, common sense and Facebook groups do not always go together and it's important to be able to sort out the nonsense.
Nonsense is not just limited to one type of online group, it's found in every group. It takes a discerning person to sift through it and determine what is the truth vs. opinion. Of course we all have opinions, but there's many online opinions that are misguided or expressed with a motive, ignorance or naivety. By naivety, I am referring to "lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment." The weather, politics, food, housing, activities, generalities and much more are all subject to nonsense. Motives include the patrons who genuinely do not like or want snowbirds or anyone else "invading their" communities. Even though they chose to live in seasonally populated areas, they openly despise what they consider to be intruders and try their best to overtly or covertly dissuade.
An example, a general question about what is the weather is like in a particular area during the winter is not uncommon. Answers range all over the place, but the most infuriating are when a local or someone with an agenda gives an extreme answer such as "It's freezing cold, we have temperatures in the 20's, fountains freeze and it's awful, you don't want to come here in the winter." When anyone calls out the person who posted the answer, they get defensive and point out, "Well, one time years ago we had a frozen fountain, here is the photo to prove it."
Had the question been posed as, "What is the most extreme range of temperatures will I find in the area?" then by all means, give the extreme hot, extreme cold, worst case hurricane, tornado and storm situations and anything else that has ever happened once in a lifetime or even once in a season. However that's not the intent of what was asked. The intent of the question is, "In general, what is the weather like?" I recommend also fact checking answers by looking online at the mean temps as reported by the weather authorities in a geographic area. Ask the same question in different groups or in different ways to see what many people respond with, not just one who acts like they are the self-appointed final authority.
There's an acronym to remember not just for evaluating answers in online specialty groups, but for any information posted online. It was developed by Michael Caulfield of Washington State University, Vancouver to help evaluate whether online content is credible and reliable information. SIFT: S Stands for S as in stop, take a moment and pause before responding or taking action; I = Investigate the source/s; F means Find alternate facts and cross check coverage and T = Trace back to the original source.
For snowbirds, "S" first and foremost indicates "What is the impact of the answer/s for me as a snowbird?" Look at the motives, intent and make decisions based on multiple sources, multiple questions phrased in different ways and consistent answers that can be fact checked.
-- Carl Jung, Swiss Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Psychologist
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Where to begin decluttering? Start with a surface area, a drawer, a closet, a single room, the main thing is to simply start somewhere How Much is Too Much Stuff? Edit, Organize and Downsize Your Primary Home’s Contents I’m continually inspired to write about real …
From Summerbird to Snowbird Transition from a Summer to Winter Stay in Your Warm Weather Community Many times I’m inspired to write about questions I receive seeking insight of the snowbird life. This time our repeat vacation rental guests asked about making the transition from …
Many snowbirds love traveling in the off season. My snowbird friends include solo widows and widowers. Although married, I found myself in a situation to travel solo. As stated in my "How to Pack for a Weeklong Getaway in a Beach Bag post, this is how it came about:
"When the opportunity arose to stay at the beach for a week, I didn't hesitate to go for it. It would be just me, solo, for a Saturday to Saturday week in paradise. My husband and dog would stay behind largely due to my dog's physical restrictions from a recent knee surgery and also because of the remaining portion of our kitchen reno. The reno was already scheduled with our vendor and contractor and the dog was absolutely not able to travel. My husband could not leave, but he was very supportive of my decision to get away. For me, this would be a workcation combining deep cleaning our vacation rental in the middle of peak season with leisure time enjoying the beach service reading a book under an umbrella."
"There are a few adjustments I would make, but overall it was a success and I could and would do it again."
To be perfectly honest, I didn't go on the trip without trepidation or concerns. There were times I questioned my decision, especially within the first few days upon arrival. I secretly wondered if I should reschedule my flight and depart on Wednesday instead of the planned date of Saturday. Quickly recognizing I would have wished I was still at the beach if departing early, I decided it would not only cause regret, it would be a huge mistake. "Be in the moment, adjust and enjoy" is what I told myself.
I've flown solo and traveled solo for a few days, but never for a full week. Being homesick is a concern that many, including me, wonder if it will happen when away as a snowbird as well as this summer getaway. For my solo work-cation, I felt a very real possibility of becoming homesick and/or physically ill -- perhaps feverish, bedridden and who knows what could happen. "No one will be there to take care of me." Don't borrow trouble is the best answer I came up with. I brought a digital thermometer to take the guesswork out of the "Am I or aren't I feverish?" and it provided just the right amount of sanity and comfort that it was there if needed.
As a married woman at the beach during peak summer vacation season, I was surrounded by a sea of families. Grandparents, parents, couples, teens, kiddos and babies. All of them in groups and very much enjoying themselves. "I don't fit in. I'm solo, married and not looking to mingle." That's OK. I decided it's fine to do my own thing, be friendly, polite and low key, but enjoy the other guests from an arm's length. Summer travel is completely different than snowbird season. Snowbirds are outgoing on purpose because we all know we will run into the same people for weeks or months at a time, hopefully in the present and for years to come.
My sister reassured me that I would adapt and start to develop a new normal. She should know, she bravely relocated to Oahu, Hawaii almost a decade ago without knowing anyone and quickly integrated into the Hawaiian culture and her new island life. For years my twin walked everywhere because she did not have a vehicle. For my weeklong work-cation, I purposefully chose to walk everywhere. I don't need a car or the trappings of my suburban life in Indiana. I can walk everywhere too. I don't need a delivery driver to drop stuff off. I can get it myself by walking to the store or skip it for a week. Embrace the pedestrian lifestyle and that is exactly what I did.
I also thought about the strong solo snowbird men and women who spend the entire winter in their warm weather communities and successfully make it work. I have female school classmates and friends who travel solo and seem to be just fine if not even stronger based on their experiences I've witnessed on social media. I can do it too!
After I got past my self-doubts, I began to embrace my time alone and find my own new normal. I changed pace into a different routine and realized change is not that bad. Early in the morning starting around 6 am, I completed the "work" part of the work-cation. I missed my husband and beloved Golden Retriever, but I didn't have to deal with their daily care. Nor did I need to be particularly quiet or especially tidy like at home, where I have to keep socks, towels and food out of reach of the dog. After a light breakfast of restaurant leftovers, I headed to the beach for time to enjoy the waves and beach lounge chairs. Some days I frequented the community pools AND the beach.
Mid-day was the hottest, so back to the condo for a late lunch and a nap in the air conditioning. One day it was so hot and I was craving something sweet I managed to chase down the ice cream truck. A $5 ice cream sandwich never tasted so good. Although there was a heat index over 104 degrees most of the week, I cleaned up for dinner and took an afternoon walk in the very hot heat to the restaurant of the day. I enjoyed local authentic New Orleans Cajun meals, fresh seafood, gourmet pizza and on the last day, a special treat of key lime pie. Although daylight is longer in the summer, I didn't want to be out past dark.
Highlights of my walks included exploring the upscale historical Frangista Beach neighborhood and visiting The Emerald Coast Winery, a charming wine tasting room featuring wines made of local round-shaped Muscadine grapes that are native to the Southern United States.
I spent evenings on the balcony and very little time watching tv. Instead I read a book that had been on my to do list and worked in between the leisure time. The purpose of being at the beach was both work and a vacation and not working is not a good idea. So I made sure not to lose focus.
To be perfectly candid, my husband also grew in the week I was away. He stepped up with the work that I usually do when home and went above and beyond with managing the kitchen renovation project, the care of our convalescing dog as well as running our core business.
The ever present sights and sounds of the Gulf of Mexico were just the thing to provide a zen kind of calm. Waves crashing onto the shore. Sugary white sand. Chilly wine spritzers at sunset. In one week I changed, grew and created my own time away that was perfect for me. The new memories I made for my very special time at the beach was just the thing I needed. Yes, I will absolutely do it again!
-- Roy T. Bennett, Author of "The Light in the Heart"
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
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What Are You Missing Along the Way? Fantastic side trips await to/from your snowbird destination I asked my snowbird friends, “When going to or from your winter destination, do you stop and see things along the way? Surprisingly, they don’t. The explanation is, “We’re in …
It is no longer unusual for properties of all kinds to be placed on the rental market. Couples who each retain their own residences may decide to rent one out and live together in one. Snowbirds may lease their primary home while away for the winter season. There's no shortage of anecdotal stories of guests who prefer a private residence or apartment when staying in another area for a weekend or longer.
More than ever, reputable third party online brokers such as vrbo.com, airbnb.com and bringfido.com connect owners with guests. Other web sites such as cozycozy.com gather info from hotels and third party brokers to give a comprehensive overview of what is available in an area for any budget.
Over the years I've been asked about the rental business by friends who are seriously considering placing their property on the rental market. It has lots of appeal due to popular acceptance of rentals as well as potential revenue. However, it is not without a lot of work and risks, which is why it is not a decision entered into lightly. It's perfectly OK to decide it isn't a good fit after all.
Before proceeding with any decision, thoroughly research your options and look at the best and worst case scenarios. Consult with your professional advisors for the impact on taxes, insurance, legal/liability and much more.
With many years of experience owning/managing a long term condo rental in my primary city and a few years owning a vacation rental in my southern community, I can assure anyone that there's no way to anticipate everything. Do your best and know when to hire a professional, it can be worth every penny. With our vacation rental we didn't hesitate to immediately hire the same property manager who managed it with the previous owner. It was and remains the best decision we made once we purchased the property.
In the meantime, I've created a general checklist of 15 considerations prior to placing your property into a rental program. The goal is to think about, research and be informed of what is involved and be prepared as much as possible. As they say, you never know until you try.
It's critical to identify what distinguishes your property from the competition. What does your property offer? Fully furnished? Recently updated? Water, mountain, wooded or scenic views? Privacy? Fenced yard? Covered parking? Proximity to area attractions?
Are you seeking weekend guests? Vacationers? Business travelers? Families with children? Solo travelers? Couples? Sports enthusiasts? Pet owners? Guests who are relocating to the area? Corporate housing? Tenants who are constructing new homes? Groups? Guests with special interests? Guests who are celebrating a special occasion?
Do you plan to promote your rental based on any or all of the following: Referrals? Paid advertising? Online broker sites? Signage? Local agents such as realtors and housing services? Corporate relocation services?
An online presence is essential for most short term rentals. The primary method is via a web site and/or social media landing page at the very least. Do you have enough basic knowledge to create and maintain your own web site or landing page, such as a business Facebook page? If not, are you comfortable hiring someone or a third party entity to create your site for you?
Do you plan to take your own photos or hire a photographer to promote your rental? Can you create and write the copy to promote your property?
Who will take care of the following: Cleaning? Maintenance and repairs? Pricing? Schedule, bookings and collections? Guest relations? Lock-outs? Property damage? Snow removal and yard work?
Have you figured out how much time you need in-between guests to clean and prep?
Do you plan to hire a property manager? Are you familiar with the scope of work property managers provide and their standard fees?
How will you handle dispute/conflict resolution? All of these areas and more will need to have solid systems in place. Be prepared for what you will do if your cleaning crew is ill or quits. It does happen , it's only a matter of time.
Private rentals have more flexibility to screen potential guests than hotels do. Check your local, state and federal laws of course, but you are perfectly entitled to refuse to allow pets, guests under a certain age, such as 25 and guests who exceed the maximum number of occupancy as an example.
Check your max occupancy before renting your property. As an example, if your property has three bedrooms and a sleeper sofa with a max occupancy of 8 and you have a group of 15 guests asking to book your space, they will need to be turned away. If you allow pets, check with your insurance company of the potential liability for that, including prohibited breeds. You need all of the facts before being faced with the difficult questions from potential guests. It is not worth risking everything you own because you made a bad decision to host a guest with a pet that isn't covered by your homeowner's insurance.
Calculating your burn rate is the first step of knowing what your daily/weekly/monthly/annual costs are. How much is the mortgage? Insurance? Utilities? Cable/wi-fi? HOA fees? Taxes? Administrative and professional fees? Cleaning costs? Credit card/payment fees? Marketing and promotional fees? Maintenance/upkeep and repair expenses? Property manager fees? Damage/theft costs? Don't forget to calculate depreciation of your property and furnishings because it will wear out faster with rental guests. Replacing linens every season as well as furniture are examples of costs for your rental business.
It's easy to get starry eyed about the rental dollars rolling into your bank account. It all might seem so lucrative until you actually get into the realities of running a rental business.
Be realistic about your profit margins. If your property is available a maximum of 52 weeks of the year and your total possible revenue is $50,000 for filling all 52 weeks, don't think for a minute it will be booked solid. You will need to allow for vacant dates, reduced rates, standard expenses and unexpected costs. Loss of use from fires, floods, disasters and other problems is another potential issue that should be factored into your business plan.
Who will take care of the administration of your rental property? What method of payment will you accept? Who will collect the funds? Who will pay the bills such as mortgage, utilities, HOA, etc? Who will keep track of the bookkeeping? Refunds? Credit card and other fees? Federal, state and local taxes? Unexpected fees?
Complaints are part of any business and there's many motives for guests who complain. Some are looking for refunds and freebies and others are offering valuable feedback, no matter how difficult it may be to receive. Having a complaint resolution procedure in place is important for any rental program. There may be complaints regarding cleanliness, linens and furnishings, odors, bugs, noise, broken or missing items and even ridiculous complaints that are beyond anyone's control, such as weather and traffic. You may also find that complaints are not only from guests, but your own HOA and neighboring property owners as well. Being able to separate and resolve valid complaints is essential to managing a rental. All too often guests wield the power of posting a negative review online and you will need to be prepared for that.
Setting up an adequate security system is the lifeblood for not only the security of your property, but the security of your guests and their belongings. Deadbolts, privacy latches, key-pad coded entry systems, cameras, alarms, drive-by inspections and much more are required. Only you can decide to what degree your security will entail, but you must have a security system. It's non-negotiable.
Guests who stay in a rental home are going to expect plenty of space for their items, including closets. You will want to make sure your personal belongings are not accessible to your guests. Therefore, it's essential to create a space where you can move your stuff and keep it locked up. This is not easy for many people. Locked owner's closets, garages and entire rooms are options. However, you may encounter guests who find it irresistible to stay out of your locked areas. They may use excuses such as "the lock broke" or was left open and on and on. If you are going to store your personal items on site, be ready for anything. Do not store anything of sentimental or high value on site unless you are OK with it possibly getting ruined or coming up missing.
Rental/s are not a nine-to-five weekday business. Being ready for after-hours requests for everything from help with entry access to malfunctioning tv's or wi-fi, missing remote controls, housekeeping issues, maintenance/repairs and much more are all part of the deal when your property goes onto the rental market. Our property manager jokes that she never makes social or dinner plans on load-in day because it will almost always be interrupted.
If you are your property manager, plan on taking time to help your guests with any real or perceived problems as they arise. Never underestimate your guests. I've heard stories of guests expecting help with the TV in the middle of the night. Set boundaries, communicate what they are and stick with it.
If you are unable to politely say "No" when appropriate, it will be very difficult to run a successful rental business. Requests for mundane and outrageous demands and everything in between will come up. You may get requests for below market rental rates, extensions/modifications of dates that may not be available or reasonable and/or early check ins and late departures.
You may not want every guest to come back if you've had a bad experience with them. Family and friends may ask to stay at your place for free. If you cannot or will not say no, consider hiring a property manager to be the buffer. They are worth every penny if it will help you run a profitable business, which is the point of doing it after all.
Real estate, particularly your primary home, is the largest emotional and financial investment most people make. It can be difficult to deal with the thought and/or reality of someone living in your home and very likely not treating it the way you would. Things happen. Items come up missing or break, get dirty, ruined and wear out. There's also the emotional cost of rejection of your rental property from harsh feedback or online reviews. Many properties will be vacant for periods of time due to rental cycles and competition. Not every rental earns a profit. Sometimes you might be fortunate to break even or you may even lose money. Do you have enough reserves to cover costs when your property is operating at a loss? Be honest with yourself and decide if you can cope with the ongoing stress of renting your property to strangers. It's not easy and although you may believe you're ready to let go and give it a try, it's not for everyone.
DISCLAIMER: We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
-- Idowu Koyenikan, Internationally acclaimed organizational consultant and author
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.