[bowlingal]

depending how far north people live, depends on when they come. People in Minnesota come earlier, leave later

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by thevillager1988

A little fun on a Friday morning, since we are on the subject ... we learned the proper definitions when we moved here:
1. Snow flakes - renters, in Jan, Feb and March
2. Snow birds - own two homes, one here, and one north. In FL for ~6 months between Nov. and Mar.
3. Frogs - own only in FL and are here until we croak.

I also recently learned that in polite society we no longer use the term Snow bird, as it's developed a negative connotation. We are supposed to refer to the #2 classification as "seasonal" from now on. ;-)

Interesting. We were called “snowflakes” when we owned here, but were not retired yet so we only came down on our vacations for 2 weeks at a time all through the year

[SaucyJim]

Polite = Repressed

I was a SNOWBIRD. I’m so offended I called myself that. Not.

[elle123]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

When is snowbrid season? I would think it starts in January because of the holidays in December.

It usually depends if they're owning or renting.
If you own the home and you're taking the Homestead Exemption
you must be a resident of Florida and make the property your permanent residence. This might determine if someone stays longer each year. Many snowbirds return at the end of October and stay till May. Some are still working and might only stay at The Villages a couple of weeks per month. If a "Snowbird" is renting it's usually between December and April. That's considered the height of the season.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

When is snowbrid season? I would think it starts in January because of the holidays in December.

One of my snowbird friends left yesterday for Massachusetts, even though we hear it’s been snowing there. Another one is planning to return to Massachusetts in two or three weeks. The migration North seems to begin (not counting short term renters) around the first day of Spring, March 21, and most have left by the week after Easter, whenever that is. Then the traffic becomes minimal and reservations are less necessary in restaurants and it’s easier to get reservations for sports. They start drifting back at the beginning of November, though a few wait until after Christmas. It comes down hating the cold versus Christmas with the family. Meanwhile, the snowbirds never get to see The Villages when it’s at its greenest and most relaxed,
Here’s a song called “Snow,” by Jesse Winchester, writing from Canada.
I was tuning in the six o'clock newscast
And the weather man mentioned snow
As soon as I heard that four-letter word
I was making my plans to go
If I was a bird I would fly back South
A bear I would go to sleep
Anything rather than hang around here
When the snow starts getting deep

Now you know what they say about snow flakes
How there ain't no two the same
Well, all them flakes look alike to me
Every one is a dirty shame
My ears are cold
My feet are cold
Bermuda stays on my mind
And I'm here to say that if winter comes
Then spring is a ways behind

I don't have no heavy hip boots
I don't have no furry hat
I don't have no long-john underwear
No layer of protective fat
I'd take a plane right to sunny Spain
Oh, but I don't have the dough
But I'd build a bridge and I'd walk there
To get away from all that snow
Oh, I'd build a bridge and walk there
To get away from all that snow

[lpkruege1]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

When is snowbrid season? I would think it starts in January because of the holidays in December.

I would consider the Snowbirds to be 6 months or more. The 1, 2, and 3 month people are the snowflakes. Snowbirds are for the late fall into mid spring and typically own a house. Snowflakes are trying to get away from the worst part of winter and just rent. Nothing against them as long as they pick up their trash, pick up their dog poop, and they don't drive their cars on the multi model path.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by lpkruege1

I would consider the Snowbirds to be 6 months or more. The 1, 2, and 3 month people are the snowflakes. Snowbirds are for the late fall into mid spring and typically own a house. Snowflakes are trying to get away from the worst part of winter and just rent. Nothing against them as long as they pick up their trash, pick up their dog poop, and they don't drive their cars on the multi model path.

There are many snowflakes who are owners, not renters. A couple of our neighbors own, but they come and go for a couple of weeks at a time throughout the year.

[opinionist]

When I was a snowbird, it was October through April.
The weather is lovely up north in May through September.

[sowilts]

Originally Posted by justjim

There are at least two types of “birds”. Snowbirds are generally renters and usually come around January 1 and stay through March or April. Sunbirds are owners and may come and go at various times but usually leave in June or July (escaping the hot sun) and return in September or early October. Of course, there are exceptions with people coming and going as they please.

We are hybrids. We go whenever we have another place to go. 😎

[sowilts]

Originally Posted by elle123

It usually depends if they're owning or renting.
If you own the home and you're taking the Homestead Exemption
you must be a resident of Florida and make the property your permanent residence. This might determine if someone stays longer each year. Many snowbirds return at the end of October and stay till May. Some are still working and might only stay at The Villages a couple of weeks per month. If a "Snowbird" is renting it's usually between December and April. That's considered the height of the season.

Correct, can only have one Home that claims Homestead. After five years did not know my wife didn’t claim Homestead at Maryland. Submitted Homestead paperwork this year and it was granted.

[Rodneysblue]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

When is snowbrid season? I would think it starts in January because of the holidays in December.

Why?

[Regorp]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

When is snowbrid season? I would think it starts in January because of the holidays in December.

Being a snowbird never an option for us. Why have double house bills, travel expenses multiple times per year, and paying amenity fee with minimal usage. Year round is much less costly. Goodbye snowbirds.

[DonnaNi4os]

I think of the beginning of snowbird season the same way I think of trees. When the leaves begin to change colors in the fall, the license plates in The Villages begin to change too!

[DrHitch]

From a landlord group on Facebook, there also seems to be an alarming trend of les and less Canadian snowbirds....please come to The Villages and bring your "Loonies".

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Regorp

Why have double house bills, travel expenses multiple times per year, and paying amenity fee with minimal usage.

Because you want the best of both worlds: Away from northern winters, away from FL summers, and being able to spend half the year at adult summer camp and the other half with children and grandchildren. If you can afford it, it's a no-brainer.

Year round is much less costly.

Yes it is. It's also less costly to eat beans instead of filet mignon.

Goodbye snowbirds.

I'll see you in the Fall.