Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
A great view of the beach and gulf has never waivered as our top priority for our snowbird residence Ten Years of Snowbirds – Now Vs Then A Look Back at Our First Decade of Being Snowbirds The first year we became snowbirds, it was …
How to Solve Your Live Plants Dilemma Set Up a Self Watering Irrigation System Definition of Dilemma: “A situation in which one has to choose between two or more… plans that are equally unsatisfactory: a difficult choice.” Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dilemma To have live plants at home …
Years ago Midwestern friends visited us while they were in our southern city for Thanksgiving. My friend asked if I planned to decorate for the upcoming holidays? My first reaction was absolutely not. How would I ever pull that off? Especially when we stay in our condo for a couple of weeks in Autumn and don't return again until January.
Upon mulling it over, I decided I could do it, but not in the same way as my primary home. I would need to re-evaluate priorities to make an impact on an appropriate scale. Less is more, keep it seasonally neutral and don't overdo with too much stuff, which can make a cozy space feel that much smaller.
Whether you own or rent your warm weather home, adding holiday sparkle is a fun way to celebrate the season, especially if you're missing being away from your primary residence. If you rent out your place, your guests will appreciate your effort to make them feel home for the holidays. The key is to display meaningful yet minimal decorations that feel special with an emphasis to reflect the local environment.
Because most snowbird homes are small in scale, make a plan, then work the plan. Are you going to decorate the kitchen and living space? Bedroom/s? Bathroom/s? Front door? Patio, lanai or balcony? A huge impact on how much to do is related to how much will realistically fit into your vehicle to and from your destination. If you store your holiday items on site, how much will reasonably fit into the allotted space?
Next, consider who will be installing and removing the decorations? If it's you, that's ideal. If it's someone you hire or designate, then how much time will it take them to do it?
Are there any considerations that may damage the decorations? Will anything be unattended outdoors for periods of time? Can the decorations withstand the handling of your cleaning crew? Your guests? Children? Puppies? I quickly realized this season that our young pup was all too happy to chew up the seasonal items that our previous beloved senior dog had ignored.
At our rental condo, no one ever decorated it for the seasons, but it didn't matter to me because we didn't arrive until January.
During October the second year after we purchased our condo, I added special seasonal decorations. Well, I hadn't thought about the cleaning crew moving the items around to clean the glass table tops. And........... in the process the beautiful details of the festive faux evergreen arrangements were very obviously askew by the time I arrived in January to put them away for the season. Not the look I wanted our guests to see. Lesson learned. I reworked the items that could be made more fool proof and replaced the ones that would never stand up to any sort of airflow, movement or handling.
My plan is the same every year. Lightly decorate the main living area, kitchen, bathrooms and that's it.
The balcony and front door are not on my list because:
1. The elements of the wind, rain, sun, salt and inclement weather would not be good for anything left outdoors on the balcony. Our HOA does not permit items to be attached to the exterior walls and throw pillows or knick knacks might fall off the patio table or a gust of wind will blow them to the next neighborhood. Live plants would not have anyone to take care of them, although I would do that if we had a caretaker to help with it.
2. A holiday wreath on the front door is lovely, but not from late October to January. The last thing I try to do is annoy my own and others walking past by "pushing the season" too soon.
The primary (and only) bedroom is also not on the list. I don't see the need to make every single space in our small condo explode with a theme of some sort. The bedroom is a respite, a sanctuary, a place to relax and rest. So, I don't decorate it for the seasons, but if you like a seasonally decorated bedroom, go for it. My plan isn't necessarily your plan.
What are the very basics to decorate your snowbird rental or home? Let's start with the obvious. Here's a few ideas to add a festive touch:
Kitchen:
Hot pads, kitchen towels, soap dispensers, coffee cups, seasonal towels with ribbons displayed in a small basket
Bath:
Soap dispensers, hand towels
Living/Dining Area:
Seasonal puzzles, faux greenery arrangements, small knick knacks, coasters, festive round ornaments in a driftwood bowl, battery operated candles, decorative textured pillows, a soft throw blanket for the sofa or easy chair
A Few Showstoppers:
An extra special wreath or faux greenery arrangement, a local element such as a handmade Christmas tree made of starfish, local artwork in a frame, special garlands, a tall glass ornamental container with hard candy in it, lighting or a small Christmas tree. Autumn items include a beautiful glass pumpkin on the server buffet surrounded by shiny, sparkly elements from the craft store. There's many creative ways to be festive and much inspiration to be found in local retail stores and online
Parting Thoughts
My overall goal is to use color, texture and simple items to create a holiday feel that includes elements of Autumn as well as December holidays and last, but not least, New Year's Eve.
Remove and store items that will be replaced with your seasonal decor. Never pile on the seasonal items with the regular stuff. It's too much.
I make a special effort not to feature religious decorations in our rental because we want guests to feel welcome no matter what their beliefs are. An example is we have a nostalgic seasonal puzzle that features Golden Retrievers with a freshly harvested evergreen in the back of a vintage pick-up truck in a snowy country scene. It's just the right amount of hint of the season and because we are pet friendly, the pups add an emotional connection with our guests.
It's a good idea to minimize or entirely avoid large typography designs on decorative elements and/or overt references to cold weather. If your guests are at the beach to get away from snow, they really don't want to be blasted with "Let it Snow" messages on pillows, soap dispensers and hand towels. If your throw pillows are too much to look at all the time, they will get stuffed in the bottom of the closet or a drawer. I've been there. It's reality.
Have fun with your own ideas, there's no right or wrong answers. A little effort does go a long way to make your snowbird home extra memorable, fun and festive.
-- Fictional Character, Don Draper, American TV Series "Mad Men," 2007 - 2015
HERE VS THERE: TOP QUESTION I AM ASKED MOST
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SNOWBIRD RENTAL
HOW TO EVALUATE ONLINE RENTAL PHOTOS
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.
HERE VS THERE: TOP QUESTION I AM ASKED MOST
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SNOWBIRD RENTAL
HOW TO EVALUATE ONLINE RENTAL PHOTOS
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.
Your Travel Dream is Not Mine (and Vice Versa) How I Finally Handled A Decade Long Hot Button For the past twelve years, a single hot button question has plagued me. It comes up almost every time I encounter someone who is familiar with both …
The Lilly Mansion Summer Tour of the Historical Midwestern French Inspired Home The summer off-season is the perfect opportunity to explore gems closer to your primary home. I love checking out the places that are right in my own backyard as they say. The unique …
As snowbirds age, transportation to and from their winter communities is increasingly a concern. Perhaps a solo or snowbird couple want to fly to their destination, but aren't aware of the newest options for obtaining a vehicle once they arrive for the season. It used to be that renting a vehicle is cost-prohibitive for a shorter time such as weeks or months. Now the traditional rental companies offer more extended rental options and there's also a car sharing company that is worth exploring. Let's look at multi-month rentals and compare with car sharing rentals.
When it comes to car rentals, the full spectrum is available from very, very short term leases (hours) as well as longer term lease options (months) are available from traditional car rental companies. Examples include Budget, who offers long term and monthly rentals; Enterprise, who offer long term car rentals for weeks, months or more and Hertz, who offers multi-month lease options. A typical auto dealer lease can run a minimum of 39 months and usually involves bank fees, a down payment, mileage penalties and other fees. Preventative maintenance is generally not included with auto dealer leases.
Minimum Days: 63
Down Payment: $0
Bank fee: $0
Due at Signing: $0
Mileage Limit/Penalties: None
Vehicle Exchange: Flexible Options
Disposition Fee**: None
Preventative Maintenance Included*: Yes
Credit Qualification: Monthly Cost Based
Total Commitment: Monthly Cost
Additional Drivers: Terms will vary
Pick up at Car Rental Counter: Yes
Delivery: Not likely
Insurance: Options will vary such as possible coverage from your own carrier or purchase a supplemental policy
Age of vehicle: New and late models
* Includes normal wear and tear as well as tire replacement as needed
** A disposition fee, also known as a turn-in fee, is the cost to clean up and prepare the vehicle to be returned to the lease company
Source: Hertz Multi-Month
Car sharing is available from Turo, which is a peer-to-peer car rental marketplace. Turo does not own any vehicles, it is a third party marketplace that connects hosts with vehicles. Turo vehicles range in make/model, age, condition and from host to host or location. Because it is a car sharing rental, there are different considerations than a traditional rental company. For example, renting an older vehicle may save money, but it also may have other challenges with that. As always do your research, read the reviews and think of all the scenarios, then ask plenty of questions before making a decision.
Minimum Days: Not required
Destinations: Check for availability at your intended US or international destination
Minimum Age: 18 in the US. Other countries vary.
Delivery available: Some hosts offer delivery options
Pick-Up Locations: Generally available at airports, or request delivery to hotels or vacation rentals if it's available from your host
Additional Drivers: Yes, the host must add drivers and there's no additional fee
Car Rental Counter: No, the vehicles are not offered via traditional car rental counters at airports
Insurance: When booking a Turo car in the US, you’ll choose between three Turo protection plans
Age of Vehicle: New, late model and older models are available
-- Unknown
HERE VS THERE: TOP QUESTION I AM ASKED MOST
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SNOWBIRD RENTAL
HOW TO EVALUATE ONLINE RENTAL PHOTOS
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.
From Snowflake to Snowbird A Mini Report from a Former Snowflake I wasn’t familiar with “snowflakes,” which are a variation of snowbirds, until a reader contacted me about it. Online Artificial intelligence (AI) defines the primary difference between snowbirds and snowflakes as the former have …
The Clara Barkley Dorr house, 1871, an iconic home surrounded by orange trees located in the downtown historic district of Pensacola, Florida North Florida Vs. South Florida A Comparison of Weather, Cost of Living Index and Ease of Travel by Vehicle This is the fourth …
This is the third of a multi-part series. The first was Florida vs. Arizona and the second is Florida vs. Texas. I already stated in my original post of Florida compared with Arizona and other popular snowbird destinations as follows:
"Let's begin by addressing the obvious. It makes the most sense that if your primary home is on the West Coast that you choose a snowbird community that is also on the West Coast. Right? Investing yourself in an area will be a long term pursuit if you choose wisely and getting there is a huge consideration of where to go. If unsure, then try out different options and see what works best. I highly doubt most snowbirds will repeat a trip from say, Indiana, Michigan or Ohio to Arizona more than once or twice. It's a long, multi-day drive. I'm not a gambler, but if I was, I would put high odds on what I refer to as the big slide. Most snowbirds slide south to their winter destinations.
My region in Northwest Florida primarily attracts people from the Northern Midwest states with a sprinkling of other areas mixed in. Most of my friends and acquaintances drive south on Interstate 65 all the way to our panhandle community. The last thing I want to do is spend more time on the road trip than absolutely necessary, especially with a dog on board.
If an individual or couple does not have pets or a lot of absolutely necessary belongings, flying is a possibility. But, there's more than meets the eye with that and unless you have no other option, such as a medical condition or choosing Hawaii for your winter destination, a road trip makes the most sense for all of the snowbirds I've ever encountered.
Traveling to your snowbird community is a major factor, but the cost of living and weather are also significant. More than one conversation with future snowbirds has taken place about "Which is better?" types of scenarios. This post is the second of several that will discuss "Which is better?" of two states. Florida is the long recognized gold standard of snowbird destinations. It is the king of the country for popularity attracting seasonal residents such as snowbirds. However, it is not the only option and for many, it's not the best option for their own personal circumstances and needs.
Here I will briefly provide the facts of three topics: weather, costs and ease of travel comparing Florida with Texas. As always, weigh everything carefully and do your own research. The general information provided here is for a basic overview of what to expect and not intended to be specific for my readers."
Florida is the number one hottest state in the US with an average temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024. Hawaii is ranked number four with an average temperature of 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024. In-between is Louisiana and Texas, followed by Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas and Oklahoma rounding out the top ten. Alaska is the least hot with an average temperature of 27.8.
Winters in Florida are mild and summers are hot and humid. July is the hottest month of the year in Florida, averaging 90 to 92 degrees and frequently exceeding 100 degrees. February is the coldest month in Hawaii with an average temp of 72 degrees. The hottest month in Hawaii is September with an average temp of 80.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Hawaii is very consistent in average temperatures and has never fallen below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) nor risen above 100 degrees.
Source: Climate at a Glance, StateWide Mapping - National Centers for Environmental Information
Source: https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/united-states/us
Source: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/hottest-states
Although both Florida and Hawaii are humid, Florida edges out Hawaii with an average relative humidity of 74.5% vs. Hawaii with 73.3% average humidity. Alabama is the most humid state at 77.1%, followed by Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Maine and Vermont rounding out the top ten. Nevada is least humid with an average 38.3% rate, which makes it the most arid of all the states.
Humid heat always makes temperatures feel hotter and more stifling because the high moisture in the air makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate from human skin. However, humid temperatures are generally better for sinuses and can decrease symptoms of asthma and allergies. In a dry climate, you may sweat more than in humid heat, but may not notice because the moisture evaporates from skin more quickly. It is easier to become dehydrated in dry climates.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/most-humid-states
Florida is known as the "Sunshine State," however, Florida is ranked number nine for sunshine, vs. Hawaii which is ranked number five.
Florida has an average of 66% sunny days per year and an average of 101 clear days and 2,927 sunny hours, making it ninth of the states in the US. Data was measured in Tampa, Florida located on the Western Peninsular side of Central Florida. Hawaii has an average of 71% sunny days per year and an average of 90 clear days making it fifth of the states in the US. Data was measured in Honolulu, Hawaii located on the island of Oahu. Data is not available for the number of sunny hours in Hawaii.
For comparison, Arizona is by far the top state in the US for sun exposure and has the highest percentage of sunny days at 85% and an average of 193 clear days per year. Arizona's average number of 3,806 sunny hours per year is followed by Nevada and New Mexico respectively with 79% and 76% to round out the top three. Data was measured in Tucson, Arizona located on the southern border.
States with the highest percentage of sunny days in descending order are: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii, California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Florida, Georgia, Utah, Kansas, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia. Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Nebraska each have an average of 61% sunny days per year. Alaska has the least percentage of measured sunny days at 41%.
Sources: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/sunniest-states
The UV index is a measure of the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Hawaii and Florida both have very high UV rays; however Florida is rated as a "ten," and Hawaii is an "eleven." Hawaii is highest of the United States, ranking number one, followed by a four way tie of Florida, Arizona, California and Nevada with each rated a "ten." Florida has a 3,636 average daily UV Irradiance 2015. No data for average daily UV Irradiance 2015 is available for Hawaii. With the highest score of 11, Hawaii is the state closest to the Equator and thus has the most intense UV rays. Alaska is the lowest with a score of one.
Skin cancer, premature aging and other health problems are all linked to prolonged UV exposure of the sun. Precautions such as using sunblock and avoiding sun and UV exposure should be taken to lower the risk of sun-related health issues.
Source: EPH Tracking
Source: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/uv-index-by-state
The Cost of Living Index indicates Florida is much more affordable than Hawaii. Although Florida is slightly more expensive than the national average, Florida's Cost of Living Index is 102.8 and Hawaii's score is much higher than anywhere else in the United States with a score of 186.9. Information included here is the most current "Composite Cost of Living Index 2024 Annual Average" published by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
The State of Hawaii is by far the most expensive state due to the whopping cost of living index of 186.9. For comparison, the state with the lowest score for 2024 is West Virginia at 84.1. My home state of Indiana is a reasonable 90.5 which is similar to Michigan's 90.4 and Iowa at 89.7. Other cold weather Midwestern states have scores as follows: Wisconsin, 97.0; Minnesota, 95.1; Illinois, 94.4; Ohio, 94.2 and Missouri, 88.7.
Northeastern states are all very high cost of living scores as follows: Massachusetts, 145.9; Washington D.C., 141.9; New York, 123.3; Maryland, 115.3; New Jersey, 114.6; Vermont, 114.4; New Hampshire, 112.6; Connecticut, 112.3; Rhode Island, 112.2; Maine, 112.1; Delaware, 100.8 and Pennsylvania, 95.1.
Northwestern states range from a high of California, 144.8; Alaska, 123.8; Washington, 114.2; Oregon, 112.0, Utah, 104.9; Colorado, 102.0; Idaho, 102.0; Nevada, 101.3; Wyoming, 95.5; Montana, 94.9; Nebraska, 93.1; South Dakota, 92.2; North Dakota, 91.9 and Kansas, 87.0.
Source: https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series
Because the State of Hawaii is a cohesive group of 137 volcanic islands located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 2,000 miles southwest of the U.S. mainland, it is not accessible by vehicle. The only methods of transportation to Hawaii are by air or water. Therefore there are many travel considerations that are addressed in my previous post: Flying Snowbirds. The island of Oahu is home to 2/3 of the residents of Hawaii; however, intra-island transportation may be necessary depending on the logistics of flights and island destinations.
Florida has a distance of about 450 miles north to south with about 400 miles in the East/West upper portion of the state. No other state in the continental US can come close to Florida's 1,146 miles of shoreline. The peninsula of Florida is surrounded by the Gulf of America and Atlantic Ocean. Florida is almost 66,000 square miles and does not have any international border.
Hawaii's miles of shoreline is fourth overall with 750 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline. California is third ranking between Florida and Hawaii with 840 miles of shoreline. Hawaii has zero miles of international border and is fourth smallest for land area with 10,931 square miles. Alaska is by far the largest US state with just over 665,000 square miles and 6,640 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline.
Florida has three major North/South interstate highways that will take you where you want to be.
Interstate 95: Carolinas and Eastern Peninsular Florida
Interstate 75: Georgia, Central and Western Peninsular Florida
Interstate 65: Northwest Florida and Alabama
--Scott Stabile, American Author, Speaker
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.
Florida features 1,146 miles of coastal shoreline and Texas has about 367 miles of shoreline. [Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida, Miramar Beach, Florida] Florida Vs. Texas A Comparison of Weather, Cost of Living Index and Ease of Travel by Vehicle This is the second of …