Snowbirding -- how to?

[VacationForever]

We lock our home up 1 to 2 months at a time in winter and summer, and other months in-between. We live in a guard gated community where security is pretty tight. Lots of residents here leave their homes empty for 6 months. We continue to leave water and gas running because we have a pool. One time we turned the water off, my pool guy had to manually fill the water in the pool so that was not a good idea. We do have friends that we can rely on to get into our home if necessary as we can unlock the home remotely for them to get in.

 

[Cornell]

These are the same people who mock others who post about their concerns about their 401K plans because they have a crappy plan with high fees. They love to rub it our faces our they have no concern because they have the perfect plan

My favorite are those who say the economy is great based solely on the stock market. Many are just trying to pay their day to day bills and are not invested in the stock market.

"Let them eat cake".

 

[PigsDad]

My favorite are those who say the economy is great based solely on the stock market. Many are just trying to pay their day to day bills and are not invested in the stock market.

"Let them eat cake".

And my favorite are those who claim the economy was horrible when their party was not in office and the economy was great when their guy was in office, not looking at any real economic statistics.

Kurt

 

[Elan]

So, I'm thinking I might have made a mistake in staying at Marriott Desert Springs Villas, in that it was a very nice resort. And we even got put in what's likely the crappiest building and unit. I might focus on trying to get at least a couple weeks at the PD Marriotts.

 

[VacationForever]

So, I'm thinking I might have made a mistake in staying at Marriott Desert Springs Villas, in that it was a very nice resort. And we even got put in what's likely the crappiest building and unit. I might focus on trying to get at least a couple weeks at the PD Marriotts.

What are PD Marriotts? Palm Desert? Like you want to stay there again?

 

[Elan]

What are PD Marriotts? Palm Desert? Like you want to stay there again?

Yes. And yes.

 

[EZ-ED]

We sold our winter home in Sun City West a few years ago and replaced it with short term hotel rooms (2 or 3 days) and longer term at Marriott Residence Inns (1 to 3 weeks usually in a 1 or two bedroom with full kitchen). We head down from Idaho to various cities in Arizona usually after Jan 1. We start reserving them 9 or 10 months in advance when rates are cheaper. No deposit required and if you need to change plans cancellations are easy. We also check for II getaways to see if we can find anything that will fit in with our hotel stays but the downside is pay now and use it or lose it. YMMV

 

[Elan]

We sold our winter home in Sun City West a few years ago and replaced it with short term hotel rooms (2 or 3 days) and longer term at Marriott Residence Inns (1 to 3 weeks usually in a 1 or two bedroom with full kitchen). We head down from Idaho to various cities in Arizona usually after Jan 1. We start reserving them 9 or 10 months in advance when rates are cheaper. No deposit required and if you need to change plans cancellations are easy. We also check for II getaways to see if we can find anything that will fit in with our hotel stays but the downside is pay now and use it or lose it. YMMV

Thank you. This is helpful as your style is similar to what I've envisioned for our "nomadic snowbirding".

 

[callwill]

Some big advantages to driving in terms of what one can bring along, but primarily cost savings. Air for 2 is $500-700 and car rental for 4-6 weeks is maybe $1.5k to $2k, depending. We can drive down, including a nights hotel stay each direction for approximately $500-600 total.

I dont know the cost of rental cars where you want to go, but we were recently in San Diego and rented a Kia Sorrento for a week $130 bucks. There were smaller cars available when was looking for less dollars. I would likely drive if i were staying for a month or more though, because i could bring more things with me.

 

[callwill]

Squatters are a problem.

Squatters are a HUGE problem in both areas where I owned property. I've had squatters on both ends and had to run them out. Leaving a property vacant for weeks at a time is a risk -- a potentially huge risk depending on where the snowbird lives.

I was actually a reverse snowbird -- escaping summer heat (and working on the farm while escaping the heat).

Theft is a problem. Plumbing issues are a problem. And there's really no good way for a snowbird to ensure they avoid all problems. It's not a question of "if."

My parents summered in Watertown NY and owned a place in Cape Coral Florida for the winter. I watched the problems happen. The neighbors in florida would call to alert the to problems, like AC failure and my dad would need to fly down, arrange repair while staying in the sweltering house and fly back when done. There were a few other issues other than just the AC. Prepping the northern place for winter was a several day job when leaving and getting it readt was too as the heat needed to be on for a couple days to make it habitable upon return.
I learned that i dont want those 2 residence hassles in my now old age. I also learned by visiting them in florida during our winters that i dont like that heat and living indoors in AC.

 

[PigsDad]

My parents summered in Watertown NY and owned a place in Cape Coral Florida for the winter. I watched the problems happen. The neighbors in florida would call to alert the to problems, like AC failure and my dad would need to fly down, arrange repair while staying in the sweltering house and fly back when done. There were a few other issues other than just the AC. Prepping the northern place for winter was a several day job when leaving and getting it readt was too as the heat needed to be on for a couple days to make it habitable upon return.

Many of these issues can now be greatly mitigated by the use of technology.

Take your AC failure, for example. Last summer I had the same issue -- AC stopped working in our FL home while we were in CO. I knew right away because I have smart thermostats and they alerted me to the problem. I called my HVAC company in FL for them to take a look at it. I was able to put the HVAC company on the gate list via an app on my phone so they could enter the neighborhood, then when they ran my Ring doorbell, I could remotely answer it and let them into the home via the garage door and the MyQ app. I was able to monitor them while they were there via additional Ring cameras I have throughout the house. Issue fixed w/o need to fly there or spend any time in the "sweltering" house. Easy peasy.

And I'm curious what "several day job" was required to prep your house to leave and return? We clean up a bit, but that is about it. When we return the home is even heated/cooled for us before we step in the door. We do have local "home watch" people/neighbors at each house that do additional walk-throughs every few weeks for an added measure, but mostly we rely on technology for the day to day monitoring.

Kurt

 

[Elan]

I dont know the cost of rental cars where you want to go, but we were recently in San Diego and rented a Kia Sorrento for a week $130 bucks. There were smaller cars available when was looking for less dollars. I would likely drive if i were staying for a month or more though, because i could bring more things with me.

My rental estimate was based on a recent rental, through Costco, in Palm Springs. You got a great rate in SD, and I also have there, previously.

Agree that being able to bring stuff is huge, especially if you travel with golf clubs. They're a huge PITA to fly with, and expensive unless on SWA.

 

[rapmarks]

After retirement we traveled for four and a half years before we found what we wanted and became snowbirds
we did a combination of timeshares and rentals. Timeshares weren’t easy because we only owned two flex weeks but we did get a lot of extra vacations.
it was not easy moving every week from timeshare to timeshare.
we were avid golfers, we stayed two winters in Arizona, found the weather iffy and found it very difficult to get a good rate and a good teetime on golf courses. We had the more Luck in Orlando area, but didn’t like the area.
We settled in sw Florida, but most of the golf courses are private and owned by the subdivision. Subdivisions are like resorts with golf courses, pools, tennis, pickleball, bocce, private restaurants, and events. when we found a place we really liked we took the plunge. We have never regretted it.
as far as golf, we had guaranteed tee times in the leagues, and made lots of good friends
yes it is a hassle going back and forth. We only go once each way, so I have spent many holidays alone. There are pluses and minuses but the pluses outweigh the minuses. there can be problems at either home, but you hire someone to fix it.
I save enough on state income taxes to cover a lot of the second home costs. I do not have big homes, and I do not have high maintenance homes.
what hasn’t been mentioned is health, that is the biggest problem ith your plan. It will inevitably happen that you won’t be able to do it anymore. And you may have good friends where you live, but things happen and they will move on. Early in retirement I started a couples league in our northern golf community, thirty couples are now down to three or four.

 

[ScoopKona]

my dad would need to fly down, arrange repair while staying in the sweltering house and fly back when done.

Those problems are preferable to squatters, plumbing leaks and similar. I wish I had nothing but electrical problems. Seriously.

Why? I've never had to walk my property, looking for electrical leaks. Either it works or it doesn't. And if it doesn't either the breaker trips -- or it burns down and then insurance kicks in.

 

[EZ-ED]

Thank you. This is helpful as your style is similar to what I've envisioned for our "nomadic snowbirding".

FWIW!!! We have just canceled our January Arizona stays as well as our hotel stays en route to AZ. Health concerns for my wife required us to stay home and close to her now multiple DRs and hospital. No deposits lost and when she recovers we can look at March or April if she is up to it. Age has a way of interfering with the best plans.

 

[CO skier]

Now that I'm retired, we're looking into heading south for the winter. Probably 4-8 weeks after the first of the year, so early to mid January to mid to late February. Not going to start until next winter, at the earliest.
For those of you that do this, what have you found works in terms of accommodations? We would likely go back to certain locations annually, but want the freedom to go to different locations either within the same trip, or from year to year. So buying a condo or second home doesn't make sense. Thinking a combo of VRBO, hotels and possibly point based TS system. Obviously, keeping costs down is an objective, so accommodations would need to have kitchen and be comfortable for multi week stay (i.e. not standard hotel room). Occasional standard hotel rooms (for short stays) are acceptable. Should add that we'd almost certainly stay west of the Rockies (Palm Springs, Vegas, AZ, San Diego, etc) and would drive our own vehicle from ID.
Anyone care to share your experience? Where you stay and what your budget looks like?

A 70,000 credit ownership with WorldMark would get you a guaranteed 60 consecutive days (two 30-day bookings) in a complete 1 bedroom condo at the Rancho Vistoso resort in Tucson, AZ when booking a year (maybe less) in advance. No occupancy taxes currently charged on credit reservations in AZ -- those can really add up for a 2-month stay using a cash bookings at Airbnb or hotels. I think the resort was recently completely renovated. The resort would likely keep you in the same unit for the whole stay -- saves all the moving hassles. Flexible modify/cancellation policy within 30 days of arrival if plans change. Other WorldMark resorts in snowbird locations like Palm Springs, Phoenix, Oceanside or San Diego, CA to mix and match -- just plan a year ahead.

Buy-in $6,000 plus $6,600 annual dues in 2025 for a 70,000 credit ownership.

WorldMark Credits | Buy and Sell | Timeshare Resale Agents

Looking to buy Wyndham credits? Looking to sell? Look no further! WorldMark Credits empowers clients to purchase top-tier timeshares for a fraction of the cost.

www.wmcredits.net

If you do not want to commit to 70k every year, buy 30k or 40k and rent-in whatever extra you need up to 2x your annual allotment. Super flexible.

 

[WinniWoman]

After retirement we traveled for four and a half years before we found what we wanted and became snowbirds
we did a combination of timeshares and rentals. Timeshares weren’t easy because we only owned two flex weeks but we did get a lot of extra vacations.
it was not easy moving every week from timeshare to timeshare.
we were avid golfers, we stayed two winters in Arizona, found the weather iffy and found it very difficult to get a good rate and a good teetime on golf courses. We had the more Luck in Orlando area, but didn’t like the area.
We settled in sw Florida, but most of the golf courses are private and owned by the subdivision. Subdivisions are like resorts with golf courses, pools, tennis, pickleball, bocce, private restaurants, and events. when we found a place we really liked we took the plunge. We have never regretted it.
as far as golf, we had guaranteed tee times in the leagues, and made lots of good friends
yes it is a hassle going back and forth. We only go once each way, so I have spent many holidays alone. There are pluses and minuses but the pluses outweigh the minuses. there can be problems at either home, but you hire someone to fix it.
I save enough on state income taxes to cover a lot of the second home costs. I do not have big homes, and I do not have high maintenance homes.
what hasn’t been mentioned is health, that is the biggest problem ith your plan. It will inevitably happen that you won’t be able to do it anymore. And you may have good friends where you live, but things happen and they will move on. Early in retirement I started a couples league in our northern golf community, thirty couples are now down to three or four.

Yes. We had a 75 year old snowbird neighbor from Florida. A widow. In great shape, btw. Speed walker, etc.

She gave up her second home here in NH and now stays in her Florida home full time. She said it was becoming too much and her home here was going to need some work done after 10 years.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

And my favorite are those who claim the economy was horrible when their party was not in office and the economy was great when their guy was in office, not looking at any real economic statistics.

Kurt

My uncle 15 years ago took all of his money out of the stock market and put it into a bank account because his guy was not in office, he is now 83 and had to go on food stamps this year. I just keep investing in my 401K and my Roth IRA till I hit my number to ensure that I can retire based on my budget

 

[rapmarks]

Yes. We had a 75 year old snowbird neighbor from Florida. A widow. In great shape, btw. Speed walker, etc.

She gave up her second home here in NH and now stays in her Florida home full time. She said it was becoming too much and her home here was going to need some work done after 10 years.

81 later this month

 

[callwill]

Many of these issues can now be greatly mitigated by the use of technology.

Take your AC failure, for example. Last summer I had the same issue -- AC stopped working in our FL home while we were in CO. I knew right away because I have smart thermostats and they alerted me to the problem. I called my HVAC company in FL for them to take a look at it. I was able to put the HVAC company on the gate list via an app on my phone so they could enter the neighborhood, then when they ran my Ring doorbell, I could remotely answer it and let them into the home via the garage door and the MyQ app. I was able to monitor them while they were there via additional Ring cameras I have throughout the house. Issue fixed w/o need to fly there or spend any time in the "sweltering" house. Easy peasy.

And I'm curious what "several day job" was required to prep your house to leave and return? We clean up a bit, but that is about it. When we return the home is even heated/cooled for us before we step in the door. We do have local "home watch" people/neighbors at each house that do additional walk-throughs every few weeks for an added measure, but mostly we rely on technology for the day to day monitoring.

Kurt

The house was originally designed to be a 3 season home when they built it. All the plumbing was all drained and blown out before leaving after shutting down the well. The electric heaters and hot water heater were all shut down at the breakers. The propane to the vent free propane fireplace was shut off. It was getting the plumbing all drained that was time consuming. Returning in march to the shores of lake ontario mean you are opening the door to a freezer. We needed to get there ahead of them leaving florida to get the place warm enough to sleep in, that process took a couple days. My father died well over 20 years ago, my mother is 92. When he got alzhiemers she hung on to both places for a couple years and then sold out of florida. She has been living the in lake home alone ever since. She has no use for tech. Hates the cell phone, no computer. The existence of tech to help with that wont sway me especially if it involves a HOA.

 

[PigsDad]

The house was originally designed to be a 3 season home when they built it. All the plumbing was all drained and blown out before leaving after shutting down the well. The electric heaters and hot water heater were all shut down at the breakers. The propane to the vent free propane fireplace was shut off. It was getting the plumbing all drained that was time consuming. Returning in march to the shores of lake ontario mean you are opening the door to a freezer. We needed to get there ahead of them leaving florida to get the place warm enough to sleep in, that process took a couple days. My father died well over 20 years ago, my mother is 92. When he got alzhiemers she hung on to both places for a couple years and then sold out of florida. She has been living the in lake home alone ever since. She has no use for tech. Hates the cell phone, no computer. The existence of tech to help with that wont sway me especially if it involves a HOA.

Ah, so it was a cabin. Totally different situation than the typical snowbird. Understand.

Kurt

 

[callwill]

Ah, so it was a cabin. Totally different situation than the typical snowbird. Understand.

Kurt

Yeah, its only a 2 story 3 bedroom 2 bath; greatroom plus a sitting room (that could be a 4th bedroom if wanted), plus a large entry foyer that includes an extra stove, the laundry and an informal dining table for 10. Has a wrap around deck, and a small cantilevered deck accessed from the upstairs front bedroom sitting next to the 2 story 1 1/2 car garage that has its own addition off the back for storage of the lawn and garden equipment. It sits on over 400 feet of lakefront. If thats your idea of a cabin, well, ok.

 

[PigsDad]

Yeah, its only a 2 story 3 bedroom 2 bath; greatroom plus a sitting room (that could be a 4th bedroom if wanted), plus a large entry foyer that includes an extra stove, the laundry and an informal dining table for 10. Has a wrap around deck, and a small cantilevered deck accessed from the upstairs front bedroom sitting next to the 2 story 1 1/2 car garage that has its own addition off the back for storage of the lawn and garden equipment. It sits on over 400 feet of lakefront. If thats your idea of a cabin, well, ok.

Growing up in northern MN, my definition of a cabin is exactly what you wrote: "a three season home". It was fairly common for people to talk about their "lake cabin"; size was irrelevant. Shutting down a cabin for the season is very different than what the typical snowbird does (which is the topic of this thread), so it makes sense that your experience is much different than the typical. Not sure where the tone of hostility came from, but whatever makes you happy.

Kurt

 

[WinniWoman]

Growing up in northern MN, my definition of a cabin is exactly what you wrote: "a three season home". It was fairly common for people to talk about their "lake cabin"; size was irrelevant. Shutting down a cabin for the season is very different than what the typical snowbird does (which is the topic of this thread), so it makes sense that your experience is much different than the typical. Not sure where the tone of hostility came from, but whatever makes you happy.

Kurt

And in the northeast they call them “camps” if they are 3 season. No matter the size. Lol!

 

[rapmarks]

I have a four bedroom, three bathroom with a great room and a family room up north. When I leave I set the thermostats to 58, set the water heater to low, flip a switch to turn the water off.