Snowbirding vs. Year-Round Retirement

[Biggd]

What about lakes down South, say Carolina lakes? Anyone have any experience with them, lived there or visited?

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[Descant]

Originally Posted by Biggd

What about lakes down South, say Carolina lakes? Anyone have any experience with them, lived there or visited?

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My friends sold their neighborhood house (no lake) in so. NH and bought shorefront on Lake Norman, near Charlotte, NC. The shorefront house was twice the price of their old home, about the same as a place on Wiinipesaukee, over $1MM. This was November 2020. The NC house was on the market for only a couple of days and they bought without seeing it in person. Sold the NH house in a few days too, with an 8% overbid.

[Biggd]

So what do they think about the lake and the weather there?

Originally Posted by Descant

My friends sold their neighborhood house (no lake) in so. NH and bought shorefront on Lake Norman, near Charlotte, NC. The shorefront house was twice the price of their old home, about the same as a place on Wiinipesaukee, over $1MM. This was November 2020. The NC house was on the market for only a couple of days and they bought without seeing it in person. Sold the NH house in a few days too, with an 8% overbid.

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[Descant]

Originally Posted by Biggd

So what do they think about the lake and the weather there?

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Very happy. After a couple of moths, still unpacking. He stilt has to go to work, international travel, so it is a slow process.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Descant

Very happy. After a couple of moths, still unpacking. He stilt has to go to work, international travel, so it is a slow process.

I googled that lake, not the cleanest. But I'm thinking most of those lakes down south aren't going to be as clean as NH lakes or as pretty.

[ApS]

Before I bought my Florida lakefront place, I checked for traffic noise. Only a northeast wind would allow traffic noise to carry. So, shortly after I'd my ideal place in 1977, I was awakened at daybreak by a loud whistle; fortunately, the train only runs on Sundays!

Daybreak also brings out the duck hunters, but their hunting season dates don't overlap my stayovers.

Originally Posted by Descant

My friends sold their neighborhood house (no lake) in so. NH and bought shorefront on Lake Norman, near Charlotte, NC. The shorefront house was twice the price of their old home, about the same as a place on Winnipesaukee, over $1MM. This was November 2020. The NC house was on the market for only a couple of days and they bought without seeing it in person. Sold the NH house in a few days too, with an 8% overbid.

Did they know Interstate I-77 runs through the middle of Lake Norman. Y'know, the "truck route"?

[Doobs41378]

I would also consider state income taxes on pensions, 401ks etc. If you are a NH resident you do not have to pay income tax ( currently ) but if your main residency is a state that has it you would have to pay that.

[Pricestavern]

Originally Posted by Biggd

What about lakes down South, say Carolina lakes? Anyone have any experience with them, lived there or visited?

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There are a couple of threads from a few years ago discussing Winni vs lakes in the south:

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ht=Lake+Norman

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ht=Lake+Norman

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Pricestavern

There are a couple of threads from a few years ago discussing Winni vs lakes in the south:

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ht=Lake+Norman

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ht=Lake+Norman

I have a neighbor across the street from me, log cabin on the lake, that moved to Tenn. He now comes back for the month of July every year.
I asked him this past summer why he just doesn't sell and buy a lake front home there. He said, "the water is brown and full of snakes".

[Biggd]

My wife and I just retired this past year and are going though the same thought process. But we have different visions of retired life.
My thinking is move to our NH home and just rent down south every year for 3 or 4 months.
My wife wants to sell out Waltham home, which I want to do also, and buy a home at the Cape.
So my question is to her, why would I want to own 2 summer destinations?

[tummyman]

One of your biggest issues post retirement is Estate Taxes for your beneficiaries. Without going into the whole topic, MA has a terrible and regressive Estate Tax situation that taxes everything world wide unless you pay taxes elsewhere. What that means if you die a MA resident and have property in NH, the State of MA will tax that NH property. NH and FL are two states that have NO Estate Taxes. So buying anything in MA makes no sense to me. Make NH your permanent home, rent in the south, and be HAPPY to throw your winter clothes away !!! You have to think hard about the estate tax situation. It is a big deal and cost. Also, sell your MA property BEFORE becoming a NH resident and you can claim the one time Federal capital gains tax exclusion of $500,000 if married and filing jointly. If you become a NH resident first, your MA property becomes your second home and capital gains is fully taxable. I am no tax professional, so get real guidance, but this is what I have learned over the years.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Tummy, you may not be a tax professional, but you provided useful information on estate taxes MA vs other states. Thanks. We bought the condo in Florida so our daughter would have a decent place to live, and now she isn’t living there. We had never considered owning 2 places, so my advice would be to be very deliberate in your planning before purchasing a second property. You might want to vary destinations from year to year. It’s just a thought...

[garysanfran]

It's difficult to avoid the extremes...Cold in the winter. Hot in the summer.

I think the best year-round weather in the USA is the southern coast of California between San Diego and Los Angeles. And, therefore it is crowded and expensive. I don't think it's possible to have-it-all at a reasonable cost.

I have a long commute from San Francisco to Meredith. I'd love to have an aquarium...I can't. I'd love to have a dog...Difficult. Even live plants become a problem.

To further complicate any decisions on my part, there is no other lake, like Lake Winni, in my opinion. In California everyone marvels about Lake Tahoe...A lake I find boring. Nice colors, brilliant blues, etc. Only one island and hardly anywhere to go by boat except around in circles. And it is extremely crowded and expensive.

[Pricestavern]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

To further complicate any decisions on my part, there is no other lake, like Lake Winni, in my opinion.

Absolutely agree. I've always referred to myself as a 'lake snob' because it's either Winni or it's just some pond somewhere. It is the gold-standard. We sold and will not buy a place on another lake anywhere. We'd always be comparing it (poorly) to beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. Spoiled ourselves, we did.

[Gatto Nero]

We purchased on a canal with Gulf access down here in FL 3 years ago for very reasonable price. They are going up, probably due to Covid related moves, but still very reasonable, as compared to the lake anyway. It' not Winni, for sure, but we do 6/6 and are able to enjoy nice weather and boating all year. Don't miss those winters.

[map]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

It's difficult to avoid the extremes...Cold in the winter. Hot in the summer.

I think the best year-round weather in the USA is the southern coast of California between San Diego and Los Angeles. And, therefore it is crowded and expensive. I don't think it's possible to have-it-all at a reasonable cost.

I have a long commute from San Francisco to Meredith. I'd love to have an aquarium...I can't. I'd love to have a dog...Difficult. Even live plants become a problem.

To further complicate any decisions on my part, there is no other lake, like Lake Winni, in my opinion. In California everyone marvels about Lake Tahoe...A lake I find boring. Nice colors, brilliant blues, etc. Only one island and hardly anywhere to go by boat except around in circles. And it is extremely crowded and expensive.

Winni isn’t crowded and expensive?

[Doobs41378]

Originally Posted by map

Winni isn’t crowded and expensive?

It is yes but a quick search of Lake Tahoe lakefront properties show multiple for sale over 40 million. Winni is not that expensive.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by tummyman

One of your biggest issues post retirement is Estate Taxes for your beneficiaries. Without going into the whole topic, MA has a terrible and regressive Estate Tax situation that taxes everything world wide unless you pay taxes elsewhere. What that means if you die a MA resident and have property in NH, the State of MA will tax that NH property. NH and FL are two states that have NO Estate Taxes. So buying anything in MA makes no sense to me. Make NH your permanent home, rent in the south, and be HAPPY to throw your winter clothes away !!! You have to think hard about the estate tax situation. It is a big deal and cost. Also, sell your MA property BEFORE becoming a NH resident and you can claim the one time Federal capital gains tax exclusion of $500,000 if married and filing jointly. If you become a NH resident first, your MA property becomes your second home and capital gains is fully taxable. I am no tax professional, so get real guidance, but this is what I have learned over the years.

I don't believe that fed estate capital gains is a one time exclusion. I've already taken it once and I believe I can take it again after living in my new residence for at least 2 years.

[tis]

Gary, I have a friend who lives in San Diego and it is cool- very often 60s- in the winter. It depends on what you like of course.

Something else to think about if it 's relevant to you is that besides the other tax advantages of NH and Fl, Fl does not have interest and dividends tax but NH does.

[Doobs41378]

Originally Posted by tis

Gary, I have a friend who lives in San Diego and it is cool- very often 60s- in the winter. It depends on what you like of course.

Something else to think about if it 's relevant to you is that besides the other tax advantages of NH and Fl, Fl does not have interest and dividends tax but NH does.

I’d take 60s all winter long.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Doobs41378

I’d take 60s all winter long.

And that's what some people like. To me that's too cold and if I am going to be in the house most of the time with the heat on, I might as well have snow and ice outside and one place to live.

[garysanfran]

In Florida my brother said it got into the 30's a few nights ago. He had a citrus that died from frost.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

In Florida my brother said it got into the 30's a few nights ago. He had a citrus that died from frost.

January was a little colder in Florida than it usually is. However the next 7 days look pretty good! When they say showers it usually rains for about 1/2 hour and then the sun comes out.

I am fortunate to be able to spend 6 months at the lake and 6 months in Florida. I love Winnipesaukee, and have been on the lake some part or all of every summer for over 50 years, but when it turns cloudy and gray I head south.

There are additional real estate tax benefits, not available to non residents, when you claim the Florida house as your primary residence and you can still avoid the income taxes.

[Marauder]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

January was a little colder in Florida than it usually is. However the next 7 days look pretty good! When they say showers it usually rains for about 1/2 hour and then the sun comes out.

I am fortunate to be able to spend 6 months at the lake and 6 months in Florida. I love Winnipesaukee, and have been on the lake some part or all of every summer for over 50 years, but when it turns cloudy and gray I head south.

There are additional real estate tax benefits, not available to non residents, when you claim the Florida house as your primary residence and you can still avoid the income taxes.

I do 6 on Lake Winnipesaukee and 6 in FL, best of both worlds!

[rsmlp]

Originally Posted by Marauder

I do 6 on Lake Winnipesaukee and 6 in FL, best of both worlds!

We chose FL. 7 mos there and 5 in NH BUT we still call NH "home".

[Biggd]

I could deal with 50's and 60's. I like to walk, hike, and bike so that's perfect weather for those activities.

Originally Posted by tis

And that's what some people like. To me that's too cold and if I am going to be in the house most of the time with the heat on, I might as well have snow and ice outside and one place to live.

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[Descant]

Originally Posted by tis

...Something else to think about if it 's relevant to you is that besides the other tax advantages of NH and Fl, Fl does not have interest and dividends tax but NH does.

House Bill 568 has been filed by Rep. Norm Silber (r-Gilford) to phase out and repeal the I & D tax. Call your reps and senators.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Descant

House Bill 568 has been filed by Rep. Norm Silber (r-Gilford) to phase out and repeal the I & D tax. Call your reps and senators.

What are the chances?

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Descant

House Bill 568 has been filed by Rep. Norm Silber (r-Gilford) to phase out and repeal the I & D tax. Call your reps and senators.

IF I read this right, if successful this wipes out and estimated 113 million per year flowing into the state's general fund by the time it takes full effect. Now what is the likelihood that the state whacks that much in annual spending out of the budget? Exactly.... not much of a chance that will happen so where do they think they are going to make it up? I'd like to hear some ideas on that.

With only republicans signing on to this which is no surprise the democrats will do their best to thwart it's passing because any tax cut is a bad idea. In particular this one because those that would benefit actually have some savings paying out D&I to qualify and therefore must be, ya know "rich". Remember your elected officials knows better what to do with your money than you do anyway.

With things the way they are right now I don't see a serious conversation going on to consider the possibility of how it could happen. Just the old mantra of tax cuts for the "rich" and kids will starve, the elderly will suffer (ironically even though the elderly\retired are the ones most likely to BENEFIT from this), and of course the world as we know it will come to an end. Heck maybe even add to global warming more than John Kerry's private jetting all over the world.

[Descant]

Repeal of the I & D Tax isn't directly related to Snowbirding and it was not my intent to steal Think's thread. Happy to discuss if someone wants to start a fresh thread.

[Biggd]

The usual suspects are derailing this thread to push their political agenda. It was informative while it stayed on track.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by Biggd

The usual suspects are derailing this thread to push their political agenda. It was informative while it stayed on track.

So.......Biggd, feel free to put it back on track.....be a hero. 😎

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Biggd

What about lakes down South, say Carolina lakes? Anyone have any experience with them, lived there or visited?

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The lakes in the low country Carolinas are nice but are generally shallow, and due to the soil makeup in the area, get muddy- red/ orange muddy easily. Lake Norman and Wylie were both created by Duke Power (now Duke Energy) to cool their nuclear plants. Norman has some naturally deep areas, but it is amazing to ride around just off shore- the depth finder is spot on at 10', no rocks!

Lake Keowee in the mountains is also Duke made but is much more similar to what we are used to. Rocky, with inconsistent depth and obstacles. It is beautiful.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

The lakes in the low country Carolinas are nice but are generally shallow, and due to the soil makeup in the area, get muddy- red/ orange muddy easily. Lake Norman and Wylie were both created by Duke Power (now Duke Energy) to cool their nuclear plants. Norman has some naturally deep areas, but it is amazing to ride around just off shore- the depth finder is spot on at 10', no rocks!

Lake Keowee in the mountains is also Duke made but is much more similar to what we are used to. Rocky, with inconsistent depth and obstacles. It is beautiful.

Lake Kenowee, along with Lake Winnipesaukee, gets a mention here:

https://www-thrillist-com.cdn.amppro...ity-charlevoix

[Descant]

Interesting reading Aps. But Wolfeboro got scr***d. Most other towns had nice pics of lakes and beaches. Wolfeboro got a pic of Main St. traffic, and not very good pic at that. And when is this "Lobster Day" they talk about? New to me.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Descant

Interesting reading Aps. But Wolfeboro got scr***d. Most other towns had nice pics of lakes and beaches. Wolfeboro got a pic of Main St. traffic, and not very good pic at that. And when is this "Lobster Day" they talk about? New to me.

They advertise it. It's not any special day that I know of.

[marinewife]

Lobster Day at the 2 supermarkets is advertised in the Granite newspaper for the following week. I want to say it's in August, but it could be July.

I typically buy 4-6 lobsters for dinner and lobster rolls- they're no bigger than
1- 1 1/4 lbs and priced at around $5.80-$5.99/lb

The line can be long if you get there later than 11AM, but everyone is in a good mood with the lobstermen reaching into the crates and bagging them for sale.

Would've preferred a photo of the lake instead of downtown as well...

[Descant]

Good info. Id be pl;eased if somebody here would post "Lobster Day" for those of us who don't always get the local info.

[MeredithMan]

So we just did Thurs - Sun in South Carolina to see if we might like it for the winter months of the next phase of life. I think the answer is "no". We did two nights in Hilton Head and 1 night in Charleston. We found Hilton Head to be "Florida North". A main drag where people drive like crazy, (William Hilton Parkway), with gated communities that you can't get into to check out unless you're visiting someone or are going in with a realtor. We did visit some friends there in their development which was ok.

We also have friends in the Daniels Island section of Charleston, whom we saw on our 1 night there, but they were running late to meet up with us and we weren't able to see their house/neighborhood, so all we saw was 1 section of the city itself, which was underwhelming.

It didn't help that almost the entire time we were there, it was pouring and 47 degrees...it was warmer and nicer in NH this past weekend than it was in SC! The locals told us that that is typical January weather, so we thought might have to go the FL route after all to get shorts & t-shirt weather in Jan/Feb/Mar.

On to planning the next recon mission....

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

So we just did Thurs - Sun in South Carolina to see if we might like it for the winter months of the next phase of life. I think the answer is "no". We did two nights in Hilton Head and 1 night in Charleston. We found Hilton Head to be "Florida North". A main drag where people drive like crazy, (William Hilton Parkway), with gated communities that you can't get into to check out unless you're visiting someone or are going in with a realtor. We did visit some friends there in their development which was ok.

We also have friends in the Daniels Island section of Charleston, whom we saw on our 1 night there, but they were running late to meet up with us and we weren't able to see their house/neighborhood, so all we saw was 1 section of the city itself, which was underwhelming.

It didn't help that almost the entire time we were there, it was pouring and 47 degrees...it was warmer and nicer in NH this past weekend than it was in SC! The locals told us that that is typical January weather, so we thought might have to go the FL route after all to get shorts & t-shirt weather in Jan/Feb/Mar.

On to planning the next recon mission....

I searched other options to but I found North Carolina South Carolina even in Georgia the weather just isn’t that great in January and February so I did end up choosing Florida but on the West Coast I preferred much over the East Coast I think it’s a little more laid-back and relaxed


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[MeredithMan]

....perhaps some of you that have been there before, or have played the Harbour Town golf course know this already, but....

For many years, I've watched the golf tournament, (I can't remember the name of it), on TV that is played at the Harbour Town golf course. The broadcast always shows the iconic Harbour Town lighthouse as the players walk up to the 18th green. We went to Harbour Town for lunch on one of the days and I was shocked to find that the lighthouse is in an area of tourist shops and not on the golf course itself. When I saw the lighthouse, I said to my wife, "where the hell is the 18th green?" And there it was...several hundred yards across the water and marina!

Now I know what Dorothy felt like when she learned that the Wizard of Oz was some old guy behind a curtain....

[8gv]

If the goal is nice weather during the winter you have two choices:

1) Go to Florida and just deal with the crowding that exists.

2) Buy something closer to the equator.

Pick your poison but winter sucks!

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by 8gv

If the goal is nice weather during the winter you have two choices:

1) Go to Florida and just deal with the crowding that exists.

2) Buy something closer to the equator.

Pick your poison but winter sucks!

Couple of other choices. I have friends that love Arizona and San Diego for the winter.


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[Sue Doe-Nym]

Speaking of Arizona, our friends who retired there are quite unnerved now by their proximity to the southern border and the mayhem there. I would imagine that current circumstances might be hindering people from settling there.

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Speaking of Arizona, our friends who retired there are quite unnerved now by their proximity to the southern border and the mayhem there. I would imagine that current circumstances might be hindering people from settling there.

I've also heard reports that when the snow birds arrive it's tough to get good medical care; many oldsters bring quite a few tanks of oxygen with them due to difficulty getting same.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Speaking of Arizona, our friends who retired there are quite unnerved now by their proximity to the southern border and the mayhem there. I would imagine that current circumstances might be hindering people from settling there.

My friends are more north near Gilbert and Scottsdale but you are correct especially down near Tucson


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[TiltonBB]

I have had a winter home in Southwest Florida for many years. Although I occasionally go the the Miami area, the Fort Myers/Naples is much quieter and more "civilized". One thing that stands out as different than the lake area is more convenient access to any type of retail store you could want. Within 10 miles there is everything from car dealers to Publix, Target, Marshalls, and Costco. The biggest negative I see is Florida drivers. No signals, and tailgating constantly. A Florida Sheriff told me that over 90% of the car accidents are rear-end collisions.

In my opinion, if you are going to move because of weather there is no sense stopping in the Carolina's, you may as well continue south. It seems as if every day in Florida, from November through April, is sunny and in the 80's. Almost every day is a good boating day!

I am glad to have given up the snow shovel! I have friends who winter in Alabama and it looks like it is raining 50% of the time.

[phoenix]

We live in AZ most of the year ( Scottsdale ) and the border issues are what we see on tv. The weather is desert vs more tropical in Florida. I like it better but biggest difference to those in Nh is distance

[8gv]

"The biggest negative I see is Florida drivers. No signals, and tailgating constantly."

This practice is often seen in a state close by...

[Descant]

Enlighten me, please. I'm under the impression that there is a better summer rental market on the NC/SC coast. South Florida is great in the winter, but who wants to vacation there in the summer? So, if I want warmer(than NH) for the winter, and want to rent out my place in the summer, isn't NC/SC the place to be? I don't need to be able to spend time sitting on the beach in January.

[smith point boater]

Just arrived in Bonita Springs for the first ever full snow bird season for us. After a couple of years of research this is where we landed. In a golf community but easy ride and access to the beaches. Anything north of Tampa (we're 2 hrs south) is not guaranteed warm weather. We like to visit the Carolinas but would not spend the winters there - too iffy temperature wise

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by smith point boater

Just arrived in Bonita Springs for the first ever full snow bird season for us. After a couple of years of research this is where we landed. In a golf community but easy ride and access to the beaches. Anything north of Tampa (we're 2 hrs south) is not guaranteed warm weather. We like to visit the Carolinas but would not spend the winters there - too iffy temperature wise

My wife's family has a condo in the Bonita Beach Club on Big Hickory Island...doesn't matter what time of year ( winter months only ) I've been down there, the weather's been beautiful. Went down for Thanksgiving a few years ago...80s and beautiful...i love it there!

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[joey2665]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I have had a winter home in Southwest Florida for many years. Although I occasionally go the the Miami area, the Fort Myers/Naples is much quieter and more "civilized". One thing that stands out as different than the lake area is more convenient access to any type of retail store you could want. Within 10 miles there is everything from car dealers to Publix, Target, Marshalls, and Costco. The biggest negative I see is Florida drivers. No signals, and tailgating constantly. A Florida Sheriff told me that over 90% of the car accidents are rear-end collisions.

In my opinion, if you are going to move because of weather there is no sense stopping in the Carolina's, you may as well continue south. It seems as if every day in Florida, from November through April, is sunny and in the 80's. Almost every day is a good boating day!

I am glad to have given up the snow shovel! I have friends who winter in Alabama and it looks like it is raining 50% of the time.

I’m with you. I’ve had a place on Marco for 4 years but capitalized on the boom and sold for a great price. Now building in a community just east of Jolly Bridge. Get all the amenities without being too far from Marco and our beach club is on Marco. Best of both worlds.


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[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

....perhaps some of you that have been there before, or have played the Harbour Town golf course know this already, but....

For many years, I've watched the golf tournament, (I can't remember the name of it), on TV that is played at the Harbour Town golf course. The broadcast always shows the iconic Harbour Town lighthouse as the players walk up to the 18th green. We went to Harbour Town for lunch on one of the days and I was shocked to find that the lighthouse is in an area of tourist shops and not on the golf course itself. When I saw the lighthouse, I said to my wife, "where the hell is the 18th green?" And there it was...several hundred yards across the water and marina!

Now I know what Dorothy felt like when she learned that the Wizard of Oz was some old guy behind a curtain....

Not even a " real " lighthouse...pretty though! The tournament is the Heritage.



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[Lakegeezer]

Roots is another consideration in the snowbird vs year round decision. You will grow deeper roots if you are year round. Summers are fun and crazy but community activities ramp up off season. Your circle of friends will likely increase when you get to know others that are year-round residents. Snowbirds can be out of sight, out of mind in the winter. Roots aren't everything, especially if you don't like Lakes Region winters, but being a deeper part of a community has value when weighing the options.

[Loony Singer]

We’ve been retired for a decade or so. Here are a few thoughts on the OP’s topic. (1) after retiring, we moved to the Lake, which remains our primary residence. We have family in MA and it was important for us to stay close to them. (2) originally, we were planning to use the proceeds from selling our MA house to buy something in coastal FL. But my practical wife talked me out of that. She pointed out that then we would then have to worry about weather problems in two properties when living at the other. So we are in NH about 10 months a year and rent in FL for the other two. It has worked well for us. (3) if you’re looking for warmth, the weather between northern FL and southern FL varies quite a bit. We’ve seen freezing temps when visiting friends in Jacksonville. We rent near Sarasota, and the highs can be in the upper fifties in late January. We have relatives on Sanibel and they’re usually about 10 degrees warmer. (4) Look at the Interstate Highway map. I-95 draws most folks from the Northeast, and they tend to go to the Atlantic side of FL. I-75, on the other hand, draws snowbirds from the Midwest and Canada, so they mostly go to the Gulf Coast. These are generalities of course. But we think that this results in the Gulf Coast being a bit more laid back (or sleepy, depending on your preference).

[gillygirl]

Originally Posted by Loony Singer

We’ve been retired for a decade or so. Here are a few thoughts on the OP’s topic. (1) after retiring, we moved to the Lake, which remains our primary residence. We have family in MA and it was important for us to stay close to them. (2) originally, we were planning to use the proceeds from selling our MA house to buy something in coastal FL. But my practical wife talked me out of that. She pointed out that then we would then have to worry about weather problems in two properties when living at the other. So we are in NH about 10 months a year and rent in FL for the other two. It has worked well for us. (3) if you’re looking for warmth, the weather between northern FL and southern FL varies quite a bit. We’ve seen freezing temps when visiting friends in Jacksonville. We rent near Sarasota, and the highs can be in the upper fifties in late January. We have relatives on Sanibel and they’re usually about 10 degrees warmer. (4) Look at the Interstate Highway map. I-95 draws most folks from the Northeast, and they tend to go to the Atlantic side of FL. I-75, on the other hand, draws snowbirds from the Midwest and Canada, so they mostly go to the Gulf Coast. These are generalities of course. But we think that this results in the Gulf Coast being a bit more laid back (or sleepy, depending on your preference).

Point #2 is exactly why I sold my seasonal place in Glendale. I spent this summer in MA helping mom, but worrying about what the tropics were going to spit out that could impact my primary residence in FL. Not planning on anything longer than a two week visit back north.


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[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by gillygirl

Point #2 is exactly why I sold my seasonal place in Glendale. I spent this summer in MA helping mom, but worrying about what the tropics were going to spit out that could impact my primary residence in FL. Not planning on anything longer than a two week visit back north.


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any loose cat trapping opportunities in Florida?? ;-)

[gillygirl]

Originally Posted by steve-on-mark

any loose cat trapping opportunities in Florida?? ;-)

Oy vey, there’s dozens a month. Dogs, too. Last year I took a stray in and posted to several social media outlets, and connected with the owner’s daughter the next day. But that’s been my only opportunity in my community.


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