When is the Typical Snowbird Season?

Typical snowbirds arrive in my southern beach community after the December and New Year's holidays and depart by March first. Rental prices are a huge factor.

Yet, there are many snowbirds who go south at the end of October and stay until the end of April or sometime in May. However, unless you own your warm weather property that is free of a mortgage, the rental costs for a six to seven month stay can be staggering. It's enough to make your head spin. In the best case scenario, you may find a very modest or tiny place that is not located near features such as a pond, lake, ocean or mountain. The temperature is not likely to be especially warm and the cost will likely be a few thousand a month in the winter season, which is the cheapest time to be a snowbird in the areas without the warmest weather.

When March and April arrive, prime rentals must dramatically increase the rate in the spring season to cover costs. March rates frequently spike in desirable locations as spring breakers arrive and snowbirds are priced out. If a snowbird is paying about $4,000 a month for two months, such as January and February, then March rates for the same place will usually climb to $6,500+. I don't know of many snowbirds who are fine with paying a rate of $8,000 plus another $6,500 (not including fees, taxes, etc) for three months in their warm weather community.

Spring breakers expect to pay a rental rate of at least $1,600+ per week for a decent one or two bedroom property with a view in a popular area. Snowbirds don't typically rent the large multi-bedroom shore homes, but if there's any nearby, they will be filled with young adults on spring break. Peak spring break weeks cost more and that's what motivates the snowbirds to head home.

How the Spring Breakers are Different than Snowbirds

The most obvious difference is the age gap of young adults vacationing in the spring season compared to snowbirds who are typically in their 50's up to about mid-eighties.

During early and mid-March, it's primarily university and college students on break. Families with school age children usually arrive later in the spring season.

Young adults are there to have fun and they definitely do. They are known for their paddleboards, boogie boards and oversized inflatables bobbing around in the water; the latest amplified music coming from their sound systems as well as party games that can be set up just about anywhere, usually involving a ball or beanbag, and, of course, beverages.

Young university people on break traverse the sidewalks walking in groups of four or more. Motorized rentals are popular, especially e-bikes and street legal golf carts, known as LSV's (low speed vehicles). Families and students alike love golf carts, especially the ones that accommodate more than six people.

Another trait of young adults at the beach is the popularity of wearing swim attire that exposes the back portion of the buttocks, known as a Brazilian bikini. Coverups are uncommon. Basically, anything goes and that includes when walking on the sidewalks and other public places.

Spring breakers don't bring pets with them and it would be completely out of the ordinary if they make eye contact or greet a stranger like the snowbirds do. An exception might be if they encounter a snowbird walking their dog and in the process, they might ask where to find a particular place, such as a fun, beachy dive or sports bar.

At sunset, the young people emerge in flowing sun dresses and beach attire for selfies and group photos. They stay out late and can be heard walking or driving back to their rental late in the evening.

Snowbirds walk solo or in pairs, often with their dog/s. They may be accompanied by a spouse or friend, but rarely are they out and about in any sort of a group.

Snowbirds usually drive their vehicles to get around since it's not practical to rent or park a golf cart for an extended stay. I've never seen a snowbird on an e-bike, but some ride traditional bikes. Noise is not a problem because snowbirds don't typically amplify their music or host nightly parties. They do host sports event parties such as national professional finale games.

In the evenings, snowbirds in my community informally congregate on the beach overlook to watch the sunset and enjoy a beverage. After the sun goes down, snowbirds are in for the night. No one is on the sidewalks after dark, which is fairly early in the winter months. No one dresses up and takes sunset selfies unless it's for rare occasions such as professional portrait photos.

Both snowbirds and spring breakers take advantage of local drink specials, such as hungry/happy hour. Snowbirds know which restaurants offer "two for one" dinners. This used to be known as the "early bird" specials. Spring breakers know where to get a discount on burgers on certain nights of the week, such as Mondays.

My husband and I enjoyed a beachfront hungry hour special the last afternoon of our stay and were surrounded by tables of young collegiates. Our waiter told us how nice it was to "talk to adults," which made me smile. I agree, it's great! I've not thought about it before, but it's nice to be around your peers, whether a snowbird or spring breaker.

Extended Season Snowbirds

This year, personal circumstances caused us to delay our departure until mid-March. I met arriving "extended season" snowbirds who prefer to be in our Northwest Florida community when the weather is much better compared to January and February. However, as I already mentioned, the rental rates for four weeks in March or April are a lot higher than January/February.

The snowbird I met said he's looking for a less expensive place for next year. He and his wife and dog have a spacious, beautifully decorated three bedroom, two bath unit with a side view of the gulf. The cost this year is nearly $10,000. He asked if I know of smaller units to consider. I do, but with the smaller unit is a huge adjustment to the smaller space.

I know other snowbirds who spent the winter in our condo complex and stayed beyond the first week of March. One is a retired veterinarian from Minnesota, so it is not a surprise he and his spouse are waiting until mid-April to return home with their dog. I'm curious of his feedback regarding his experience before and after the others have left. I'll have to wait a year to find out.

One by one as each of my snowbird friends departed to go home, it became harder on me being the one left behind. I didn't necessarily want to go home because of it, but I didn't want anything to change either. Life as I knew and I liked it was gone for another year. It's not easy to accept that it will be a long time before we are together again. Not everyone is able to return, even if they want to. I try to focus on making plans for when I'm home and making new friends, as well as renewing previous friendships upon returning to our beloved community next winter.