1st sign that snowbirds will be back

[Cisco Kid]

The god awful sight of my tree turning, with the sound of cicadas in the air.

[dbussone]

The god awful sight of my tree turning, with the sound of cicadas in the air.



I hate when that happens. But the colors can be beautiful.


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[CFrance]

The sound of cicadas always started in August in Pennsylvania. As a kid, I was most depressed because it signaled the end of summer and the imminent start of school. Booooooo. I love their sound, but not what it heralds.

[justjim]

It appears to be an early fall from the looks of trees here in Illinois. Some birds will be returning in October so we have less than 60 days to decide what gets packed in the van and what stays until we return. When we return for the Holidays we will fly so we pack carefully so we don't have to pay for baggage.

[Barefoot]

It appears to be an early fall from the looks of trees here in Illinois. Some birds will be returning in October so we have less than 60 days to decide what gets packed in the van and what stays until we return.
It's already August 7, half way through our time in the Penalty Box.
The months and years seem to be going by more and more quickly as we get older. :shrug:

[rubicon]

I was just 17 and then I looked in the mirror and asked who's that?:D

1st sign of snowbirds "busier" everything

Cést la vie

[fw102807]

This used to bother me so much more when I lived up north.

[karostay]

AHHH Yes The Snowbirds now we can blame everything on them

[Topspinmo]

AHHH Yes The Snowbirds now we can blame everything on them

I think I seen one, Stopping entering roundabout when there no traffic is sight. O wait? that was in JULY!!!!. must of been year round snowbird.

[Wiotte]

It's already August 7, half way through our time in the Penalty Box.
The months and years seem to be going by more and more quickly as we get older. :shrug:



Hell, just sneak through the border in Idaho or some other godforsaken place like that and STAY. No one will tell...


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[Barefoot]

Hell, just sneak through the border in Idaho or some other godforsaken place like that and STAY. No one will tell...
Actually, we would probably do exactly that, and I appreciate that you wouldn't tell on us. :evil6:
Currently, the US government only allows Canadian aliens to stay in the US for 181 days in a calendar year.
So we pay for only 181 days of travel insurance.
When we return to Canada, our health care is completely free, no monthly premiums.

We would never dare to stay in the US without travel insurance, which isn't available for 12 months a year.
As we age, serious medical problems are unfortunately inevitable, and would probably require hospital and doctor costs.
Without insurance in the US, the cost would be prohibitive and bankrupt us. :shocked:
And that is the sad story of why we count our days in our Villages home.
Don't get me wrong, we feel blessed and grateful to be allowed to be here for six months a year!

[Fredster]

The real first sign the snowbirds are coming back,
is the big increase in complaints about them on TOTV!

[ricthemic]

The snowbirds will be back but so will all the "Sun Birds" who are presently escaping the heat and humidity....

[justjim]

The snowbirds will be back but so will all the "Sun Birds" who are presently escaping the heat and humidity....

Good point. Many Villagers "vacation" a couple of months during Florida summers to escape some of the heat and humidity.

[Trayderjoe]

This used to bother me so much more when I lived up north.

This is my first year where snow (and also work!) is now a four letter word in my vocabulary. I have never been a winter person, and as I have aged, the cold dreary winters became tougher to deal with.

The arrival of "snow birds" will be a new phenomena for me (I was a "Snow flake"), however better snow birds than 35 degrees below zero, 12 inches of snow, and little sun......

[CFrance]

It's already August 7, half way through our time in the Penalty Box.
The months and years seem to be going by more and more quickly as we get older. :shrug:
Penalty box?:confused: Your summer places are beautiful. And... you would die from the heat down here. We miss you, but summers in Lagoon City look divine!

[KirkH]

It's already August 7, half way through our time in the Penalty Box.
The months and years seem to be going by more and more quickly as we get older. :shrug:

You know the old saying, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper - the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes!"

[Greg Nelson]

we'll be there in late October, but will keep a low profile. Summer here at "The Lakes" is hard to beat. Jane swam across the lake today, and we had a bear sighting at the golf course.

[tophcfa]

It's very ironic how many complaints there are about the Villages residents who pay monthly fees year round but are only here part time. One should be careful what they complain about, without part time residents the Villages would always be crowded and everyones amenity fees would need to be increased to meet the larger demand. Just saying : )

[Kathrynsews]

It's very ironic how many complaints there are about the Villages residents who pay monthly fees year round but are only here part time. One should be careful what they complain about, without part time residents the Villages would always be crowded and everyones amenity fees would need to be increased to meet the larger demand. Just saying : )

Thank you for your post. I so agree! We are part time owner residents and are very happy to pay year round fees, even though we only enjoy amenities for 6-7 months.
. It's insulting to hear the complaints about us. We do know how to navigate roundabouts, we don't drive our golf cart crazily, we support the economy, we are good neighbors and we appreciate all we have here. We can't wait to return in October!

[It's Hot There]

It's very ironic how many complaints there are about the Villages residents who pay monthly fees year round but are only here part time. One should be careful what they complain about, without part time residents the Villages would always be crowded and everyones amenity fees would need to be increased to meet the larger demand. Just saying : )

It's just the Old Guard.........just getting older and older with less brain cells and nothing of value to add.

[golfing eagles]

It's already August 7, half way through our time in the Penalty Box.
The months and years seem to be going by more and more quickly as we get older. :shrug:

I'd like to think the first sign that snowbirds are returning is finding the lobster you still owe me on my doorstep. I'd like to think that, but............:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Barefoot]

Penalty box?:confused: Your summer places are beautiful. And... you would die from the heat down here. We miss you, but summers in Lagoon City look divine!It would be nice to not have to watch our days in Florida. 181 days maximum for Canadians.
If we stay longer, the US border guards could refuse our return.
But we are blessed to be able to spend six wonderful months in The Villages.
Yes, Lagoon City is divine, come visit us!

[dbussone]

It would be nice to not have to watch our days in Florida. 181 days maximum for Canadians.
If we stay longer, the US border guards could refuse our return.
But we are blessed to be able to spend six wonderful months in The Villages.
Yes, Lagoon City is divine, come visit us!



Between the lobster cross threading, and now the politicization of this comment by the reference to possible illegal conduct, you are hereby remanded to the political threads for 2 days. The good news is you can say just about anything you want, about anybody you want, including GE. [emoji41][emoji106]


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[Barefoot]

Between the lobster cross threading, and now the politicization of this comment by the reference to possible illegal conduct, you are hereby remanded to the political threads for 2 days. The good news is you can say just about anything you want, about anybody you want, including GE. [emoji41][emoji106]
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This thread has drifted far afield from the topic of Gracie baking a peach pie.
No, sorry, that wasn't the topic of this thread.
I need to say the snowbird word so I'm on topic. Snowbird, snowbird, snowbird.

Two days in the Political Forum is real punishment.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't those who regularly use Tapatalk tell who is posting on Political?
(not mentioning any names dbussone)
So I have to be very careful if I allude to any posters who refuse to pay bets when they're due!

[dbussone]

This thread has drifted far afield from the topic of Gracie baking a peach pie.
No, sorry, that wasn't the topic of this thread.
I need to say the snowbird word so I'm on topic. Snowbird, snowbird, snowbird.

Two days in the Political Forum is real punishment.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't those who regularly use Tapatalk tell who is posting on Political?
(not mentioning any names dbussone)
So I have to be very careful if I allude to any posters who refuse to pay bets when they're due!



You are correct.


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[rubicon]

It's very ironic how many complaints there are about the Villages residents who pay monthly fees year round but are only here part time. One should be careful what they complain about, without part time residents the Villages would always be crowded and everyones amenity fees would need to be increased to meet the larger demand. Just saying : )

that is a valid statement provided the part timer is not renting out his/her house. A renter pays a $50.00 fee and then can invite an unlimited number of people to visit on that $50.00 fee. Renting was once advertised as a kick the tires before you buy now its just big business. so the net affected is that crowding actually occurs during that period of time when renting is at its highest ( October - May)...just saying

As to amenity fees the day will come when amenity fees will increase simpy because too many people are trying to beat the system

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I saw a snowbird sunbathing last weekend.
No, not her....the other one.

[justjim]

that is a valid statement provided the part timer is not renting out his/her house. A renter pays a $50.00 fee and then can invite an unlimited number of people to visit on that $50.00 fee. Renting was once advertised as a kick the tires before you buy now its just big business. so the net affected is that crowding actually occurs during that period of time when renting is at its highest ( October - May)...just saying

As to amenity fees the day will come when amenity fees will increase simpy because too many people are trying to beat the system

Most rental contracts have a "strong" statement limiting the number of people in the house and the number of visitors allowed during the time of the rental agreement. BTY when you rent your property for less than six months there is a tax that must be paid. The amount is slightly different depending the county property location. The average tax is 10%---so on a rental of 2,500 month that would be a tax of 250.00 monthly.

Rental taxes plus the continued amenities payment and property tax higher because of no homestead exemption really does help keep so called "Frogs" (fulltime residents) cost of living lower due to the Snowbird phenomenon.

[tophcfa]

that is a valid statement provided the part timer is not renting out his/her house. A renter pays a $50.00 fee and then can invite an unlimited number of people to visit on that $50.00 fee. Renting was once advertised as a kick the tires before you buy now its just big business. so the net affected is that crowding actually occurs during that period of time when renting is at its highest ( October - May)...just saying

As to amenity fees the day will come when amenity fees will increase simpy because too many people are trying to beat the system

Fair point, but we (and most) part-time residents don't rent. It is really hard to have your house in the Villages occupied by other people you don't know. When we get to our home, we want it to be exactly the same way it was when we left it (except for the occasional cockroach invasion). LOL

[Barefoot]

Fair point, but we (and most) part-time residents don't rent. When we get to our home, we want it to be exactly the same way it was when we left it
As a seasonal resident, we've never rented in the ten years we've owned a home in The Villages.
I agree with tophcfa who said: "we want our home to be exactly the same way it was when we left it."

[Barefoot]

It's very ironic how many complaints there are about the Villages residents who pay monthly fees year round but are only here part time. One should be careful what they complain about, without part time residents the Villages would always be crowded and everyones amenity fees would need to be increased to meet the larger demand. Just saying : )

Thank you for your post. I so agree! We are part time owner residents and are very happy to pay year round fees, even though we only enjoy amenities for 6-7 months.
. It's insulting to hear the complaints about us. We do know how to navigate roundabouts, we don't drive our golf cart crazily, we support the economy, we are good neighbors and we appreciate all we have here. We can't wait to return in October!
I agree that it's insulting to hear complaints directed at snowbirds. :ohdear:
However, now that there many full timers, and the bad parking and poor driving continue all year long,
residents will eventually realize that snowbirds aren't the main proponents of bad behaviour.

[Fredster]

I agree that it's insulting to hear complaints directed at snowbirds. :ohdear:
However, now that there many full timers, and the bad parking and poor driving continue all year long,
residents will eventually realize that snowbirds aren't the main proponents of bad behaviour.

Some will realize it is year long thing, but a good number will probably still complain,
because it's what some retirees do!

[Bay Kid]

I agree that it's insulting to hear complaints directed at snowbirds. :ohdear:
However, now that there many full timers, and the bad parking and poor driving continue all year long,
residents will eventually realize that snowbirds aren't the main proponents of bad behaviour.

I will be back when it is cold in Virginia and perfect weather at my home in TV. Still paying each month. I was hoping the full timers would learn to drive carts slower and park better before I return. :gc:

[fishon]

As a seasonal Villages resident I pay my taxes for the whole year and amenities fees for the entire year, keeping year-rounders in clover.
As a seasonal resident up north I also pay my taxes for the year, letting that community have many more dollars at their disposal than otherwise.
Maybe I should complain about the poor year-rounders not doing their part.

[dbussone]

As a seasonal Villages resident I pay my taxes for the whole year and amenities fees for the entire year, keeping year-rounders in clover.
As a seasonal resident up north I also pay my taxes for the year, letting that community have many more dollars at their disposal than otherwise.
Maybe I should complain about the poor year-rounders not doing their part.



And most of us appreciate you. But please, no clover, I pay too much now to keep my lawn up!


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[CFrance]

So. If I own a house here and a house there, and I only spend six months here, am I a snowbird?

[dbussone]

So. If I own a house here and a house there, and I only spend six months here, am I a snowbird?



The key is to spend 6 months and one day. Then you are a FL resident. The others are "seasonal residents"

Or in your case, maybe a resident of France. [emoji41][emoji106]
In which case you become a valued foreign tourist.

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[Wiotte]

As a seasonal Villages resident I pay my taxes for the whole year and amenities fees for the entire year, keeping year-rounders in clover.
As a seasonal resident up north I also pay my taxes for the year, letting that community have many more dollars at their disposal than otherwise.
Maybe I should complain about the poor year-rounders not doing their part.



I thank you ever so much. God bless you.


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[Barefoot]

So. If I own a house here and a house there, and I only spend six months here, am I a snowbird?No, not a snowbird, never. Snowbirds are often renters, and may only stay a few weeks.
You're a seasonal resident who owns a home in The Villages and a home in France.
CFrance, we've talked about this many times.
Repeat after me "I'm a seasonal resident'.

[justjim]

There is confusion about "Slang" terms used to describe part-time residents. We can all agree that the term 'Frog" is a Full-time resident. A full-time resident is here until they croak. Then we have the term "Snowbird" and "Snowflake". Then there is the term "Seasonal Resident". A lot of people use the term "Snowbird" to describe all part-time residents. Some part-time residents own a home (we do) in TV and also own a home up North (we do). They do not rent their home in TV (we don't). There are some who rent or own a home in TV and live in another country besides the U.S. Others own a home up north and rent in TV. Some rent both in TV and up north. To confuse more----some part-timers own a home in TV and rent it out except for the winter months when they use it themselves. I even know some part-timers who own a home in TV and rent it out during the winter months and stay in their home themselves during the summer. By now you begin to see that "One size does not fit all". I've heard the term "Snowflake" explained a number of ways and even to describe my wife and I.

Now I'm confused but I'm sure all this is clear as mud to you. Bottom line: Just call me Jim and my wife Shirley. It's really okay to call us Snowbirds too and we will see all our good friends in The Villages in October.

[CFrance]

Just call me Jim and my wife Shirley.
Don't call me Shirley!

[Barefoot]

From Myammy!

Hey: what’s the difference between Snowbirds and Snowflakes?

[URL="https://myammynew.wordpress.com/category/living-in-florida/"]Living in Florida (https://myammynew.wordpress.com/), Moving In together (https://myammynew.wordpress.com/category/moving-in-together-2/), Relationships (https://myammynew.wordpress.com/category/relationships/), Welcome to Florida (https://myammynew.wordpress.com/category/welcome-to-florida/) March 16, 2014 Leave a comment (https://myammynew.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/hey-whats-the-difference-between-snowbirds-and-snowflakes/#respond)
https://myammynew.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/beach_locusts_7_8col.jpg?w=600&h=418 (https://myammynew.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/beach_locusts_7_8col.jpg)
Hollywood, Florida is a sleepy little town most of the year – then, like locusts* the out-of-towners swarm in and Hollywood goes from sleepy to sleep deprived.

What happens? Tourists happen…
Here is a quick Florida lexicon lesson in “Top Three Types of Tourists”


Snowbirds,
Snowflakes
Kwee-Beckers

The Snowbirds are genus Seniorus Americanus – US citizens over 65 who have retired and escaped the ravages of icy winters in the Midwest and East who decamp to heavenly Hollywood – known for the tranquil climate-and a plethora of cheap little motels, efficiencies, and skyscraping condos.
Snowflakes are the temporary denizens of Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, etc. Generally, condo-owners who, evidently, have multiple homes – and merely drop in – sometime in the winter months.
The Kwee-Beckers swarm from the French-Canadian region and flock to Hollywood and environs for 4-5 months every year. Primarily, they hail from Montréal. There are well over 300,000 Kwee-Beckers who converge upon South Florida each year. Some say, the gregarious, convivial group has a reputation for being rather frugal and has prompted some to restaurateurs protect themselves with an automatic 18% gratuity. Bon chance.
East Coasters – (aka The Gnu-Yokkers) are retirees of every stripe who, generation after generation, move Florida to escape inclement weather of the East Coast. Robert De Niro best describes the New Yorker passion and bluster, “I go to Paris, I go to London, I go to Rome, and I always say, “There’s no place like New York. It’s the most exciting city in the world now. That’s the way it is. That’s it.” And we will always have Florida.
Jerry Seinfeld says, “My parents turned 60 – and they had to move to Florida – that’s the rule.”

[coffeebean]

The sound of cicadas always started in August in Pennsylvania. As a kid, I was most depressed because it signaled the end of summer and the imminent start of school. Booooooo. I love their sound, but not what it heralds.

When I was a kid, I thought the sound made by the cicadas was the sound on electricity going through the power lines because of the heat of the summer. Dumb, huh?

[coffeebean]

The snowbirds will be back but so will all the "Sun Birds" who are presently escaping the heat and humidity....

I never knew there was a name for folks who escape Florida in the hot months. So it's "Sun Bird".

[CFrance]

When I was a kid, I thought the sound made by the cicadas was the sound on electricity going through the power lines because of the heat of the summer. Dumb, huh?
Pretty inventive, I'd say!

Kind of a haunting sound. Brings back lots of memories. We had sidewalks. We had chestnut trees (or were they something else--they've all died). We had doll carriages filled with buckeyes instead of baby dolls.

[dbussone]

Pretty inventive, I'd say!

Kind of a haunting sound. Brings back lots of memories. We had sidewalks. We had chestnut trees (or were they something else--they've all died). We had doll carriages filled with buckeyes instead of baby dolls.



Were the trees Dutch Elms?


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[Barefoot]

Kind of a haunting sound. Brings back lots of memories.
I'm listening to a loon's call as I write this post. A nice kind of haunting sound.

[dbussone]

I'm listening to a loon's call as I write this post. A nice kind of haunting sound.



Isn't that bird on a Canadian coin? It's really pretty neat.


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[dewilson58]

I'm listening to a loon's call as I write this post. A nice kind of haunting sound.

I used to listen to a loon, then I divorced her.

:1rotfl:

[dbussone]

I used to listen to a loon, then I divorced her.



:1rotfl:



Oops! Three words won't work here. [emoji33]


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[CFrance]

Were the trees Dutch Elms?


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Buckeyes
(Wide & Flat: Opposite Arrangement) Three species of the genus Aesculus are found in Penn's Woods: A. hippocastanum L., called Horseshestnut or European buckeye, illustrated above, is a native of Greece planted as a shade tree in towns and occasionally escaping to grow wild. A. octandrea Marshall, called Yellow buckeye or Sweet buckeye, and A. glabra Willd., Ohio Buckeye, are native to moist woods along streams in southwestern Pennsylvania. Wood of Ohio buckeye is light but resists splitting and has been used to make artificial limbs. http://www.cookforest.com/articles/trees/images/buckeyes.jpg (http://www.cookforest.com/articles/trees/images/buckeyes-large.jpg)

[CFrance]

I do believe the last time I drove down Thomas Blvd past my old house, they were gone.

[CFrance]

The key is to spend 6 months and one day. Then you are a FL resident. The others are "seasonal residents"

Or in your case, maybe a resident of France. [emoji41][emoji106]
In which case you become a valued foreign tourist.

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We were snowbirds, then full time, then snowbirds. Now I guess we're going to have to add one more day to remain FL residents. Then I can resume complaining about snowbirds and their bad parking.

Oh wait. Some of my parking is less than pristine...

[SassySeniorita]

hee hee. Get ready to wait for yer tables.

[427dave]

Being a Florida native and snowbird season beginning soon, I went to the license office to get my hunting permit. They informed me there is a new limit on them this year. :) :) :)

[dbussone]

We were snowbirds, then full time, then snowbirds. Now I guess we're going to have to add one more day to remain FL residents. Then I can resume complaining about snowbirds and their bad parking.

Oh wait. Some of my parking is less than pristine...



Just don't take any pictures of your parking - no one will be the wiser. Unless the unnamed news source posts it.


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[dbussone]

Being a Florida native and snowbird season beginning soon, I went to the license office to get my hunting permit. They informed me there is a new limit on them this year. :) :) :)



Welllllll? Don't keep us waiting. What's the new limit, and what is the official first day of the season.


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[Barefoot]

Being a Florida native and snowbird season beginning soon, I went to the license office to get my hunting permit. They informed me there is a new limit on them this year. :) :) :)What is it you want to hunt?

[golfing eagles]

What is it you want to hunt?

I think the first sign of snowbirds returning is that certain of our good neighbors to the north have left the frozen tundra and are here getting a suntan, but their lobster bag is empty. Maybe he can hunt lobsters:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: