[Michael G.]

Living here year around (a frog), what does it take to pack up every 6 months
and be fortunate to take up residence up north to cooler weather?
It must take a lot of prep and planning eithe way.

What do you enjoy the most, moving back to TV, or returning to your northern climate
in the spring with more friends and family?

What a great life style that must be to have friends miles apart, say good bye with the
promise to be back in 6 months.

Talk about having to best of both worlds. Safe travels.

[Stu from NYC]

My wife wanted to keep our Va house and be a snowbird but decided too difficult to maintain two homes so said to her pick one and glad to be here.

We have joined a lot of clubs and made good friends and would be difficult to leave.

[UpNorth]

Not easy, but well worth it. Don't enjoy the cold up here, but sure would not enjoy spending 6 Summer months in The Villages. I would prefer December thru March in The Villages, and 8 months up north if we could. But for tax reasons, we are stuck in the 6month/6month cycle.

[asianthree]

We both traveled for work, sometimes at last minute. Organize, & quick decision makes anything easy. We don't stay 6 months straight at any house. We have home watch or full time people at each location. Our kids plan on which location for each holiday. So coast Thanksgiving TV Christmas and so on

If snow is good we travel north for fun, if the beach calls we travel there. We have life long friends and enjoy traveling, just pack a carry on and off we go. TV, Lake house, or coastal, its just a house with a different view.

[RItoFL]

I close 4 Dec in Merritt Field and plan on becoming FL resident beginning in 2027. Will head back to RI in late May where family, friends, adult children live. But anticipate lots of fun and enjoying the seasonal great weather in both places!

[Laker14]

We are in TV from mid-September through mid-May. Summer months are spent on a lake in the Finger Lakes of NY.

We feel very lucky and blessed to be able to do that, and it was a dream of ours for decades. It all fell together for us.

However, it comes with some lifting. In addition to the chores of opening and closing up the places, there is the emotional tug of leaving friends and family. But once we arrive at the "new" place we find ourselves overcome with happiness to have returned to a place we love and have missed.

Leaving and returning to the house in TV is relatively easy. The lake house is much more work. It involves a flight of stairs (which takes a week or two to get the legs back in stair climbing shape), turning on the water, moving the furniture outside,,,getting boats back in the water...and all of that in reverse come September..

As we age we need more help, but thankfully, our children are willing volunteers.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Living here year around (a frog), what does it take to pack up every 6 months
and be fortunate to take up residence up north to cooler weather?
It must take a lot of prep and planning eithe way.

What do you enjoy the most, moving back to TV, or returning to your northern climate
in the spring with more friends and family?

What a great life style that must be to have friends miles apart, say good bye with the
promise to be back in 6 months.

Talk about having to best of both worlds. Safe travels.

You make a check list
Plan a fun slow paced route to see places that are amazing
Enjoy going back north where the scenery is real not man made and life is at a snails pace.

[Sparky99]

2 of everything makes it easy.

[La lamy]

It is a bit of work to close the house, but not too bad. Cleaning, especially the fridge/freezer so it doesn't grow mold while unplugged and left open. Sealing all toilets, shower, sinks and bath to prevent drying of traps. Unplugging all electrical cords, except internet. Turning off hot water heater. Insecticide outside and inside. Turning off water. Setting up security cameras. Getting rid of all garbages.

It's such a blessing to have the best of both northern and southern weather. And I really look forward to a change of scenery. It can be challenging to remember names after 6 months when returning either place, but so much fun to rekindle all the friendships.

[Lynnesail]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Living here year around (a frog), what does it take to pack up every 6 months
and be fortunate to take up residence up north to cooler weather?
It must take a lot of prep and planning eithe way.

What do you enjoy the most, moving back to TV, or returning to your northern climate
in the spring with more friends and family?

What a great life style that must be to have friends miles apart, say good bye with the
promise to be back in 6 months.

Talk about having to best of both worlds. Safe travels.

It’s a dilemma for us. We have been going back and forth to Michigan for eight years, and have been enjoying it. But the increased expenses for non-residents and the cost of repairs and upkeep are making us want to sell here and be renters.

[Howdy]

Originally Posted by RItoFL

I close 4 Dec in Merritt Field and plan on becoming FL resident beginning in 2027. Will head back to RI in late May where family, friends, adult children live. But anticipate lots of fun and enjoying the seasonal great weather in both places!

We had a very nice ``Condo " in Narragansett, but (3) things happened.

# 1 The expense of having that Condo was well beyond common sense. The policies of their Taxes in Rhode Island are well beyond ridiculous. I won't got into it, just nuts.

# 2 Travel back & forth got to be tiresome, & boring.

# 3 Basically it made more sense to stay here in The Villages.

[Michael G.]

I feel doing the snowbird thing is awesome for those that are capable as long as your health holds up.
Then it becomes a chore that takes the fun out of it.

I guess that holds true with any type of travel

[Howdy]

Originally Posted by La lamy

It is a bit of work to close the house, but not too bad. Cleaning, especially the fridge/freezer so it doesn't grow mold while unplugged and left open. Sealing all toilets, shower, sinks and bath to prevent drying of traps. Unplugging all electrical cords, except internet. Turning off hot water heater. Insecticide outside and inside. Turning off water. Setting up security cameras. Getting rid of all garbages.

It's such a blessing to have the best of both northern and southern weather. And I really look forward to a change of scenery. It can be challenging to remember names after 6 months when returning either place, but so much fun to rekindle all the friendships.

Something to consider the following.

# 1 Give up the residence that you have up " North " of Florida. Sell or Rent.

# 2 Travel to a place(s) & go ArBnB. USA for example so many choices, for short periods.

# 3 Travel abroad, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland. All fantastic, speak the same language.
Do some research. I spent many years in the UK in the USAF (Ret) then worked in the UK for 10+ years afterwards. In fact, will do ArBnB next summer in England 2027 for 2 months.

# 4 The amount of work that you put yourself through can be avoided by my suggestion. Very simple, all you need to do is think it out.

# 5 Finally is it really worth it at this time in your life? Travel around & enjoy yourself.

PS: One last thought: Avoid " Europe " at all costs way, way too many problems that need no explanation, aside from language issues.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I feel doing the snowbird thing is awesome for those that are capable as long as your health holds up.
Then it becomes a chore that takes the fun out of it.

I guess that holds true with any type of travel

The benefit is you can choose which place stays and which one goes. Life has a way of throwing a detour in your plans.