The appeal of ditching cold, snowy winters for the Florida sunshine is easy to see. It’s why about a million people, mostly seniors, leave their homes in northern states and even Canada during the winter months to live part-time in Florida.
It’s a population affectionately known as “snowbirds.”
These seniors routinely migrate starting each fall. The Sunshine State becomes their home away from home, from Key West to St. Augustine. But there’s more than the weather to consider before becoming a Florida snowbird.
The Snowbird Guide answers your big questions about making a seasonal move. Discover which retirement villages in Florida offer seasonal rentals, the best towns, and even when to book your trip to enjoy warm weather.
What is a Snowbird?
Most snowbirds are retirees who spend at least one month each fall or winter living in Florida, Texas, Arizona, or California. The majority of retirees making the trek south are between 50 and 70 years old.
However, you do not need to be retired to spend winters in Florida. There’s an increase in snowbirds working part-time jobs in Florida. AARP recommends looking for flexible schedules in hospitality at national parks, shuttle services, and even MLB spring training venues.
Snowbirds are not full-time residents. Most return north in the spring.
However, some opt to eventually establish residency in Florida for tax purposes. This allows snowbirds the flexibility to split time between the two locations they love and save on things like state income tax.
When is Snowbird Season in Florida?
Snowbirds begin their migration from places like Canada, New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin starting as early as late September. Although the traditional snowbird season is defined as October to April.
Many return briefly to the north for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, with a second wave of snowbird season starting in January.
Best Florida Towns for Snowbirds
Location and cost of living are the two biggest factors for snowbirds.
The good news is that Florida tops both lists according to StorageCafe. Of the top 100 snowbird destinations in the United States, 42 Florida cities make the list, including:
- Venice, FL
- Vero Beach, FL
- Fort Pierce, FL
- Naples, FL
- Lake Wales, FL
- Tarpon Springs, FL
- Fort Myers, FL
- Clermont, FL
Weather, housing costs, and access to health care help these cities rank among the best towns to retire in Florida. Other contributing factors include access to golf courses and proximity to beaches.
Cities like Tarpon Springs and Fort Myers give snowbirds Gulf Coast views. It’s why 55+ communities like The Meadows in Tarpon Springs and Jamaica Bay in Fort Myers are so popular. Both retirement villages feature single-family manufactured homes, community amenities like swimming pools, a packed social calendar, and are a short drive from incredible Gulf views.
Florida RV Resorts Catering to Snowbirds
You’ll find more housing and snowbird options in a bigger city like Fort Myers.
Canadian snowbirds, especially, like to spend the season in an RV to make the long trek back and forth easier.
The size and location make Fort Myers perfect for snowbirds looking to live the RV life. There are 15 RV communities in Fort Myers catering to snowbirds like the resort-style Blueway RV Park.
Or opt for a small-town feel during the winter with a central Florida location like these 55+ RV resorts:
- Oak Harbor RV Park – Haines City, FL
- Holiday RV Park – Leesburg, FL
- River Vista RV Park – Ruskin, FL
Both Oak Harbor and Holiday offer lakefront access and are a favorite amongst bikers who like to explore on their motorcycles.
River Vista sits along the Little Manatee River, only a short boat ride from Tampa Bay. All three offer park model homes for seniors looking for more space than their RV offers.
Florida Keys Destinations for Snowbirds
Or get the ultimate laid-back Florida vibe by traveling further south to the Florida Keys.
Spending your winter in an RV gives snowbirds more flexibility. Retirees can soak up the sun from central Florida to Key West by splitting up their season in different locations.
Folks like Jill Gawne and Rick Middlebrook travel from Michigan to the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys. The couple found their snowbird paradise at Big Pine Key RV Park.
“You don’t have to leave the park because there’s always something going on.”
Jill Gawne
The island resort community on Big Pine Key offers all its favorites like happy hour, a swimming pool, ocean views, and access to world-class fishing.
Condos, Rentals, & Retirement Communities in Florida
Give yourself more space with a vacation home when you head south.
Second homes, condos, and snowbird rentals in Florida are favorites amongst seniors splitting their time between Florida and their home state.
You can ease into the retiree lifestyle by renting a seasonal cottage or home. There’s no long-term commitment to one city.
Cove Communities offers 55+ rental options throughout Florida. You’ll find everything from a poolside apartment near the Atlantic Ocean in Melbourne Beach, Florida, to a fully furnished manufactured home in Ocala, FL.
Condo rentals are also a popular option, especially for snowbirds who want easy access to a beach.
Escape cold winters by booking a condo or snowbird rental in Cape Coral, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, or Palm Beach.
Buying a Second Home in Florida
Once you find the right community, consider purchasing a home. Real estate options in Florida mean you could purchase a second home for much less than a traditional home up north.
Retirement villages in Florida featuring manufactured homes are a snowbird favorite.
These master planned communities are made up of hundreds of single-family homes where residents must be at least 55 years old. Then, there are all the benefits of a destination retirement village. These villages provide snowbirds with a familiar community. Homeowners return each season to their own home, with little to no maintenance, resort amenities, community events, and golf course views.
It’s more than a house. It’s a lifestyle with value. And the value is one of the biggest reasons why retirees buy manufactured homes.
Florida 55+ Community Homes for Sale
New manufactured homes start as low as $89,000, depending on location and time of year.
Bigger Florida retirement communities like Cypress Lakes Village in Lakeland and Rolling Greens Village in Ocala sit on magnificent golf courses. It’s added value, giving homeowners access to award-winning golf courses in their backyards.
Trade Snow for Sand in Florida
Don’t get stuck shoveling snow again this winter. It’s time to start exploring the good life in Florida because being a snowbird isn’t just about where you spend December.
Being a snowbird is a state of mind.
It’s why thousands of people start as snowbirds and eventually decide to stay all year. But start slow and find your escape this winter in Florida.