Snowbirding vs. Year-Round Retirement

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by ApS

I've lived in tropical or sub-tropical climates most of my life. I wouldn't have picked SW Florida to live. In a discussion with then-Governor Claude R. Kirk, I learned that the SW Florida coast wouldn't be developed because of "the sand fleas". Even today, sand fleas are a good reason to stay indoors all day--every month--in the A/C!

From their 60's to their 80's, my in-laws had a condo in Bonita Springs, (in between Ft Myers and Naples, for those not familiar with the area), and we would go down for a week on either the Feb or April kids' school vacations. I would always come home with my legs bitten to sh** from my ankles to my mid-shins...itchy as could be. I could never understand where I got the bites, because I never saw or felt anything on my legs. That, coupled with the smelly, warm water out of the faucet and the endless strip malls, soured me on SW FL

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

From their 60's to their 80's, my in-laws had a condo in Bonita Springs, (in between Ft Myers and Naples, for those not familiar with the area), and we would go down for a week on either the Feb or April kids' school vacations. I would always come home with my legs bitten to sh** from my ankles to my mid-shins...itchy as could be. I could never understand where I got the bites, because I never saw or felt anything on my legs. That, coupled with the smelly, warm water out of the faucet and the endless strip malls, soured me on SW FL

At a minimum I am surprised with the negativity and the tales of how bad Florida is.

I am in the next town north of Bonita Springs, Estero, and after 14 years I have not experienced the negatives that people have mentioned. Fleas? Haven't seen any. Smelly water? My tap water is great and it makes excellent ice cubes for cocktails!

Strip malls? Yes, there are areas with a concentration of commercial activity and most anything I need can be found within 10 miles of the house. At the Gilford house, the lake makes up for the fact that there is limited shopping for some items and a drive to Concord or Manchester may be necessary when I need something.

When I have company in Florida I take them to waterfront restaurants in Sanibel, Marco Island, and Fort Myers Beach. Many great places to go all within 20 to 40 minutes of the house. There are numerous beaches that are not too crowded, especially when you go by boat.

That is just what I have found in the winters I have spent in Florida, and any negatives are minimal.

I will stop writing now. It is 7:30, still light out, and the solar has the pool water temperature at 88 degrees. Time for a swim!

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

At a minimum I am surprised with the negativity and the tales of how bad Florida is.

I am in the next town north of Bonita Springs, Estero, and after 14 years I have not experienced the negatives that people have mentioned. Fleas? Haven't seen any. Smelly water? My tap water is great and it makes excellent ice cubes for cocktails!

Strip malls? Yes, there are areas with a concentration of commercial activity and most anything I need can be found within 10 miles of the house. At the Gilford house, the lake makes up for the fact that there is limited shopping for some items and a drive to Concord or Manchester may be necessary when I need something.

When I have company in Florida I take them to waterfront restaurants in Sanibel, Marco Island, and Fort Myers Beach. Many great places to go all within 20 to 40 minutes of the house. There are numerous beaches that are not too crowded, especially when you go by boat.

That is just what I have found in the winters I have spent in Florida, and any negatives are minimal.

I will stop writing now. It is 7:30, still light out, and the solar has the pool water temperature at 88 degrees. Time for a swim!

I know there are many many folks that love FL in the winter. My in-laws loved going there for more than 20 years. They were both avid golfers and they really enjoyed being in a golf community. They had many friends in their condo development and my father-in-law used to say, "every night is like New Year's Eve!" Like a lot of folks, they rented for a few years and then ultimately bought a place. I think the biggest take-away/learning experience from watching their situation over the years, is that when you get a retirement place, make sure it meets your needs not only now, but 20 years from now. My in-laws' condo was a 2nd floor unit, with two big stairways, (10 steps up, a landing, 10 more steps up). There was no elevator. This was not an issue when they were in their early 60's, but by the time they were in their 80's, it was a major problem.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

I know there are many many folks that love FL in the winter. My in-laws loved going there for more than 20 years. They were both avid golfers and they really enjoyed being in a golf community. They had many friends in their condo development and my father-in-law used to say, "every night is like New Year's Eve!" Like a lot of folks, they rented for a few years and then ultimately bought a place. I think the biggest take-away/learning experience from watching their situation over the years, is that when you get a retirement place, make sure it meets your needs not only now, but 20 years from now. My in-laws' condo was a 2nd floor unit, with two big stairways, (10 steps up, a landing, 10 more steps up). There was no elevator. This was not an issue when they were in their early 60's, but by the time they were in their 80's, it was a major problem.

I agree. The current Florida house is one level and it is an easy walk in from the garage with groceries Etc. That should definitely be a top priority when someone chooses to buy a retirement home, anywhere.

As we get older (and more forgetful) it is a lot easier to run from the car back into the house when you forget your sunglasses with a one level home! Sometimes when I am out on Winnipesaukee I notice the houses with very long stairways to the lake (Rattlesnake Island) and think how ticked off I would be if I hiked down to the boat and realized I forgot something at the house and needed to go back up.

I have friends who rented a third floor condo in Naples Florida for the month of February. Their biggest complaint is how difficult it is to bring suitcases and groceries from the parking garage, to the elevator, to the condo. They aren't making those cases of bottled water any lighter!

[LakeDad]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

At a minimum I am surprised with the negativity and the tales of how bad Florida is.

I am in the next town north of Bonita Springs, Estero, and after 14 years I have not experienced the negatives that people have mentioned. Fleas? Haven't seen any. Smelly water? My tap water is great and it makes excellent ice cubes for cocktails!

Strip malls? Yes, there are areas with a concentration of commercial activity and most anything I need can be found within 10 miles of the house. At the Gilford house, the lake makes up for the fact that there is limited shopping for some items and a drive to Concord or Manchester may be necessary when I need something.

When I have company in Florida I take them to waterfront restaurants in Sanibel, Marco Island, and Fort Myers Beach. Many great places to go all within 20 to 40 minutes of the house. There are numerous beaches that are not too crowded, especially when you go by boat.

That is just what I have found in the winters I have spent in Florida, and any negatives are minimal.

I will stop writing now. It is 7:30, still light out, and the solar has the pool water temperature at 88 degrees. Time for a swim!

FL is all about where you are in FL.
I lived there 30 years and, if you’re in the right area, it’s a great and free state, has minimal systemic issues and it’s not a hassle to live there.

The only thing that sucks is the absolutely relentless heat and humidity. I can tolerate the climate from Dec-early March, then I have to get the hell out of there.

I moved to NH full time, but will probably get a 2nd place back in FL for the 3 months that suck here.


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[Descant]

Originally Posted by Dad207

So, my wife and I are now doing the two-house thing: waterfront in NH in the summers, winters in town, which is for us is Baltimore, DC, and occasional trips to NY and Chicago to visit kids (pre-COVID and ideally post). We love the Lake in the summer, but what to do in the winters if we decide to consolidate to one home in West Alton? Of course we can still get to NY and Chicago, but does anyone run to Boston for theatre, concerts, art and food? Overnights or roundtrips? How about Portsmouth and Portland? We love the small town feel of Winnipesauke, but wondering what folks do to keep things interesting over the winter.

As a Granite Stater, I'm insulted by this post. I hope you will take my response in that understanding. Don't be such a prima donna. If you come to NH in the winter, learn to snow shoe, and ice fish, to ski and snowmobile. If you can't give up being a flauntcy, join the AMC and hike year round. There are so many other things in life beyond big city stuff where you sit in a seat with 1000 others and somebody "entertains" you. Come on up, sit with 250 and be entertained if you don't have it within you to join a theater group or an orchestra and be part of the program. From W. Alton, its an easy jog to Durham and UNH where there is an endless offering of concerts, plays, top quality sports, and you might take a class or two. To paraphrase Elon Musk, "Come here, but leave your culture/politics in the old place."

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by Descant

As a Granite Stater, I'm insulted by this post. I hope you will take my response in that understanding. Don't be such a prima donna. If you come to NH in the winter, learn to snow shoe, and ice fish, to ski and snowmobile. If you can't give up being a flauntcy, join the AMC and hike year round. There are so many other things in life beyond big city stuff where you sit in a seat with 1000 others and somebody "entertains" you. Come on up, sit with 250 and be entertained if you don't have it within you to join a theater group or an orchestra and be part of the program. From W. Alton, its an easy jog to Durham and UNH where there is an endless offering of concerts, plays, top quality sports, and you might take a class or two. To paraphrase Elon Musk, "Come here, but leave your culture/politics in the old place."

I love the winters in NH. It's beautiful. The snow remains pristine longer. It's not crowded. The ice is gorgeous and adventurous. It's getting too crowded during the summer, let's not encourage more of that in the winter also! Please!

[steve-on-mark]

Pretty sure it's Big Hickory...right across the waterway from Lovers Key state park in Estero.

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[steve-on-mark]

And " over the hills "!

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[TiltonBB]

Took this yesterday after lunch on Marco Island. We boated past the beach at Keewaydin Island heading into Naples and the water color was pretty nice. No mountains, but other scenery to be appreciated!