No more shoveling snow, slipping on ice or shivering when you step outside. These are just a few of the joys of spending at least part of Michigan’s winter in a warmer climate.
If you’re lucky, you can break away from Michigan’s cold and snow for at least a short week or two, or you may decide to fly south for the winter, just like the birds. That’s how “snowbirds” originally got their name, now defined as retirees who spend from one to three months in a warmer climate, according to the University of Florida. Either way, you’re not alone.
Florida, the Sunshine State, boasts more than 810,000 “snowbirds” a year. In fact, Michigan is the second most popular native home for Florida snowbirds, second only to New York, followed third by Ohio.
One of the fastest growing retirement communities in Florida is The Villages, a luxury retirement community in Sumter County and spreading into portions of Lake and Marion counties. The Villages has more than doubled in size since 2010, now boasting more than 114,350 residents.
Many snowbirds start “slow,” by renting for a few years or staying with friends. Those who adjust well by staying active and making friends may then decide to purchase a home and spend many years with dual residences.
If you’re looking for a one- to three-month rental, you may want to contact a real estate agent in your target location.
While Florida tops the list for number of popular snowbird destinations, California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada also offer warmth and sun for winter-weary retirees. Other popular warm weather states include Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.
If you’re looking for heat, these cities were the hottest in the U.S. in 2014, according to the National Climatic Data Center:
1. Key West, Florida — average temperature: 78.6
2. Miami, Florida — average temperature: 77.5
3. Phoenix, Arizona — average temperature: 77.2
4. Fort Myers, Florida — average temperature: 75.2
5. Brownsville, Texas — average temperature: 73.9
6. Orlando, Florida — average temperature: 73.2
7. Tampa, Florida — average temperature: 72.9
8. Corpus Christi, Texas — average temperature: 72.2
9. Tucson, Arizona — average temperature: 72.2 (also one of the sunniest places in the U.S., shining 85 percent of the time)
10. Las Vegas, Nevada — average temperature: 72.1 (also 85 percent sunny)
11. Hawaii and Puerto Rico — average temperature in Honolulu: 78.2 and in San Juan, 82.
Some of the most popular snowbird destinations, according to LuggageWatch, include:
1. Naples, Florida
2. Scottsdale, Arizona
3. Miami, Florida
4. Los Angeles, California
5. Boca Raton, Florida
6. Beverly Hills, California
7. Austin, Texas
8. La Quinta, California
9. Palm Beach, Florida
10. Sarasota, Florida
11. Vero Beach, Florida
12. Las Vegas, Nevada
13. Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
14. Palm Desert, California
15. Tucson, Arizona
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