[justjim]

As I see it there are snowbirds and snowbirds. The birds that come in January and rent are absolutely necessary for those who have rental property and then birds like my wife and I who own property and got back to TV a couple weeks ago who pay amenities while we are gone and keep the trash bills low and taxes lower for full-timers by not getting the homestead exemptions. Since snowbirds who own their homes pay more taxes, The State/County can afford to give a nice homestead exemption. All in all doesn't seem fair but then who says life is always fair! I get my homestead exemption in Illinois (about half as much) but get to stop my trash pickup and most don't pay amenity fee while away from their northern homes. The worst months for traffic and congestion at supermarkets etc. are January-March. But congestion is nothing in TV compared to some other favorite areas of Florida.