SNOWBIRDS FROM QUEBEC TO FLORIDA: LIFESTYLE AND DESTINATIONS

SNOWBIRDS FROM QUEBEC TO FLORIDA: LIFESTYLE AND DESTINATIONS

Being part of the Quebec snowbirds in Florida means belonging to an ever-growing community.

They have been around for decades and every year there are more and more followers of this very special way of life.

Florida tends to have the most snowbirds, with more than 810,000 retirees flocking to the Sunshine State each winter to enjoy the warm weather and beautiful white sand beaches.

Quebec snowbirds in Florida

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What is a Snowbird?

A snowbird is a person who leaves the harsh winters of the colder parts of North America to go to the warmer southern states.

The majority of snowbirds are retirees, meaning they tend to be between the ages of 50 and 69. This demographic is able to move easily between states because they don't hold jobs in their home countries. Also, their standard of living is sometimes high enough to allow them to own and maintain multiple properties.

Snowbirds of this age can also fit in well in Florida, which has a large retiree population.

The vast majority of winter visitors to Florida come from Canada. While living in two countries poses many challenges, one that's often cited is the exchange rate. Especially during times of high inflation, a strong U.S. dollar can mean Canadians spend more during their stay in Florida.

Understanding the lifestyle of a Quebec snowbird

By definition, a snowbird stays in Florida at least one month of the year but not all year.

The official snowbird "season" runs from October to April, and it's common for them to spend the full six months there.

Some will stay for shorter periods or may return home for vacation in November or December before returning to finish the season.

Snowbirds come to Florida to escape the cold winters of their hometowns. It's no surprise, then, that they enjoy spending time outdoors, sitting on the beach or taking walks.

Snowbird season often means an influx of customers for Florida businesses. In fact, in 2019, these visitors are estimated to have contributed over $95 billion to Florida's economy. In turn, they supported over 1.6 million Florida jobs.

In addition to creating a need for service jobs, snowbirds typically own Florida real estate that can be rented during off-peak months, generating more value for the state.

The Best Snowbird Destinations in Florida

Among the options in Florida here are our top 5 destinations:

Sarasota : Sarasota is known for the arts. Snowbirds flock to the city during the winter season for the warm climate. Access to the ocean and Sarasota's collection of theaters, art galleries, museums, operas, and ballets are among the attractions. ( Read the article on Sarasota )

Naples : Seek out the white sand beaches and waters of the Gulf Coast with a winter rental in Naples. It's not hard to see why the city was ranked #1 Best Place to Live in Florida and #7 Best Place to Live by US News. ( Read our article on Naples here )

Clearwater : Get the best of both worlds with a city sandwiched between Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast. Clearwater is a Florida favorite and has been featured in Forbes' Five Best Spring Break Beaches and listed in Business Insider's 24 Best Beaches in the US.

Port Charlotte : It is a destination recognized as one of the best for retirees in the United States.

Fort Myers : Fort Myers is popular for its beaches, fishing, and shopping, making it the perfect place to relax for a vacation of a month or more.

The impact on real estate markets

Florida real estate is very expensive for a variety of reasons: a higher cost of living, proximity to beautiful beaches, and population growth.

Snowbirds tend to live in concentrated areas and can increase demand for housing in the state.

But because many of them rent their homes during off-peak months, snowbirds can also provide housing supply, making them a key component of the Florida real estate market.

While most snowbirds don't work, they are a huge source of employment in Florida.

It's estimated that more than 1.6 million jobs each year depend on snowbirds, typically because restaurants and leisure activities hire additional workers during the winter. Additionally, hotels and resorts that host snowbirds tend to gain stability from their visits.

Anyone who works for tips will tell you that snowbird season is a lucrative time for them because of the higher population!

Do you want to fully enjoy Florida?

If you're part of the snowbird family, buying a home in Florida is definitely on your radar.

You may have already crossed the country, or you are seriously beginning to consider this option.

But as you know, it's not just about buying a house, it's more than that... It's the project of your life as we've seen!

Assuming you're going to be spending a good portion of your time there, you don't want to make a mistake.

From then on, you may feel overwhelmed by a whole bunch of doubts.

Even though you've been to Florida before, questions are still flying! Are you sure where to settle? What type of property are you looking for?

How to safely buy property in Florida. That is, make the right choice when investing part of your assets.

It is important to have an agent on site to help you with this project.