[juddfl]

Think about it! They could be here all year round like you. Then you would have traffic all year long instead of just a few months.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by La lamy

No need to feel sad Gracie Girl. In my case, I'm so grateful to have a northern home. Extreme weather is not at all comfortable for me, so going north in the summer is awesome. But thanks for the welcome back!

We have a condo up north, designer in TV, and travel north for a couple of months during the really hot weather. I hear we are called Sunbirds. The best of both worlds IMHO.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by TJandDee

If they own their homes and pay their yearly amenity, taxes and keep up on the landscape maintenance when there not here are they really snowbirds or just seasonal residents. I think the renters who only pay for the time they stay here are the real snowbirds or snowflakes (not here long enough to stick)
Just wondering

This is our definition and how we travel between our homes. We have been in all categories.

Snowflake is someone who owns more than one residence, comes and goes to any residence with no length of stay in any one season. Floating in and out anytime, of the year.

Snowbirds flee the Snow to warmer climates usually late fall to early spring.

Seasonal Renters mostly come during high season January February March with occasional December or April added in, for a better rate.

Sunbirds flee the summers Hot sun, escaping to northern states that have cooler weather and lakes you can swim in, without worrying of being eaten.

Renters, those who come to southern states to see if that area will become their new retirement community. Sometimes only doing a lifestyle visit once or many, many times.

Vacationer’s visit with time constraints, usually with baggage in tow (children, or stress) spend bunch of money, go home more exhausted then arrival, with sunburn that makes flight uncomfortable.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by asianthree

This is our definition and how we travel between our homes. We have been in all categories.

Snowflake is someone who owns more than one residence, comes and goes to any residence with no length of stay in any one season. Floating in and out anytime, of the year.

Snowbirds flee the Snow to warmer climates usually late fall to early spring.

Seasonal Renters mostly come during high season January February March with occasional December or April added in, for a better rate.

Sunbirds flee the summers Hot sun, escaping to northern states that have cooler weather and lakes you can swim in, without worrying of being eaten.

Renters, those who come to southern states to see if that area will become their new retirement community. Sometimes only doing a lifestyle visit once or many, many times.

Vacationer’s visit with time constraints, usually with baggage in tow (children, or stress) spend bunch of money, go home more exhausted then arrival, with sunburn that makes flight uncomfortable.

I guess by those definitions we are a hybrid, I’ll call it birdflakes. Always try to be at our Villages home from New Years to early April. Throughout the rest of the year we get there 3-4 more times for varying amounts of time, typically 2-4 weeks per trip, whenever we can make it. The house is rarely empty for more than 7-8 weeks at a time. We enjoy coming down at different times of the year because each season offers a unique and different experience. My favorite time is probably mid April until early June. The days are long, the busy season crowds have thinned out, the daily summer lightning storms haven’t started yet, and it’s before hurricane season.

The one thing I have learned over the years is that when I’m at the Villages, I almost never wish I could be back up north, but when I get back up north, I immediately start counting the days until I can get back to the Villages.

[GoldenBoy]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Perhaps we can arrange a trade. We can have you come down here permanently and Canada can take one of the many celebrities that have promised to move to Canada. You guys can have Deniro up there.

Sounds like a thinly veiled jab. Thought that wasn't allowed on this site.

[GoldenBoy]

[QUOTE=Daisy;2388832]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

And we love them. They have every right to return to this beautiful place. I feel sad that something keeps them up North for nine months or even longer. Now that they are here they are eating at restaurants and parking at the square and enjoying EVERYTHING there is to do./QUOTE]

If you can get Uncle Sam, or I guess it's now Uncle Trump to extend the time a Canadian visitor is allowed to stay in the U.S. we'd love to be there for at least 9 or 10 months or perhaps even make the move permanently.

It is the Canadian Health Plan that is the time constraint.

[Josephjmarchese]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

I love snowbirds. If it wasn't for them this place would be overcrowded year-round instead of just a couple months. Plus they pay amenity fees and taxes for the entire year, basically subsidizing the rest of us.

Thanks for recognizing and appreciating “Snowbirds” and their contributions to their year long support of the Villages. Yes things get crowded through the season. But full timers get to enjoy all Amenities year round. Unfortunately some folks say “Snowbirds” in a nasty tone, even when they are across from you having dinner. Even though they came here first as Snowbirds. I have learned the hard way that if this happens more than once these people will never be your friends and are to be avoided.
Enjoy you full or part time at the this great place!

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoy

Sounds like a thinly veiled jab. Thought that wasn't allowed on this site.

It was a jab at the celebrities. I'd rather our friend from Canada be here. Sorry if I offended you.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by asianthree

This is our definition and how we travel between our homes. We have been in all categories.

Snowflake is someone who owns more than one residence, comes and goes to any residence with no length of stay in any one season. Floating in and out anytime, of the year.

Snowbirds flee the Snow to warmer climates usually late fall to early spring.

Seasonal Renters mostly come during high season January February March with occasional December or April added in, for a better rate.

Sunbirds flee the summers Hot sun, escaping to northern states that have cooler weather and lakes you can swim in, without worrying of being eaten.

Renters, those who come to southern states to see if that area will become their new retirement community. Sometimes only doing a lifestyle visit once or many, many times.

Vacationer’s visit with time constraints, usually with baggage in tow (children, or stress) spend bunch of money, go home more exhausted then arrival, with sunburn that makes flight uncomfortable.

I guess I'm a snowflake (although I don't love that word as it also means someone that is easily offended). Oh wait, if I'm offended by the word snowflake that easily, maybe I am one ROFL!

Wouldn't snowbird and sunbird be the same thing or is it a matter of which place is the longer primary residence?

Lastly you forgot Frogs. They stay until they croak.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Have heard that argument so many times that snowbirds subsidize the rest of us. Do they subsidize their northern community too?

They own a home here. They pay taxes. Many have the homestead exemption. Yes, they do pay for things that they “dont use” while away…garbage pickup, etc. But they use fire and police protection..a big bill on our taxes.

Snowbirds are nothing more than tourists that clog our roads, hog restaurants and take up tee times.

Something you do year 'round.

[phaslinger]

Don’t feel sorry for us. We have many more friends, loving grandchildren we spend much time with, hometown activities… we have the best of both worlds!

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I guess I'm a snowflake (although I don't love that word as it also means someone that is easily offended). Oh wait, if I'm offended by the word snowflake that easily, maybe I am one ROFL!

Wouldn't snowbird and sunbird be the same thing or is it a matter of which place is the longer primary residence?

Lastly you forgot Frogs. They stay until they croak.

Not using justTV as a reference to my post. In all the years we have traveled from north to south for work, pleasure, or one of our homes, FROG has only been used in TV.

Snowflake describes it floats from the sky, traveling with the breeze, never landing in a certain area, and sometimes can arrive anytime of the year.
In my description it fits for our lifestyle, FROG would never be used, because with multiple places to travel, we would never be in one place until we croaked. Primary residence can be changed as the need arises.

[jimjamuser]

I don't feel sad that the snowbirds stay up north for part of the year. I say more power to them. They are smart to avoid the 5 HOTTEST summer months, (which keep getting hotter). If I could afford 2 homes, I would be joining them.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Not using justTV as a reference to my post. In all the years we have traveled from north to south for work, pleasure, or one of our homes, FROG has only been used in TV.

Snowflake describes it floats from the sky, traveling with the breeze, never landing in a certain area, and sometimes can arrive anytime of the year.
In my description it fits for our lifestyle, FROG would never be used, because with multiple places to travel, we would never be in one place until we croaked. Primary residence can be changed as the need arises.

In South Carolina, FROG stands for "Family Room Over Garage" and is a feature in home sales. I'd never heard the term used for anything else beyond the pejorative for someone from France before I moved to The Villages. It's a pretty dumb term, in my opinion. Anyone who was born and raised in New York, who chooses to stay there for the rest of their lives, would also be a "Frog." Or someone in Hawaii. Or anyone who dies - anywhere. They are wherever they ended up before they died, until they died. So that would make EVERYONE on this planet a Frog (unless they die in space, at which point they'd be Frog space people).

[justjim]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I guess I'm a snowflake (although I don't love that word as it also means someone that is easily offended). Oh wait, if I'm offended by the word snowflake that easily, maybe I am one ROFL!

Wouldn't snowbird and sunbird be the same thing or is it a matter of which place is the longer primary residence?

Lastly you forgot Frogs. They stay until they croak.

A sunbird is a Florida resident, and they have a Florida drivers license. Florida is their primary residence. They go north in the summer and maybe for special holidays or other occasion’s. Some rent for the summer and some own.