As fall sets in, are you dreading the cold winter months ahead? Then you may want to join the flock and become a snowbird in South Florida. With an annual population increase of 950,000 souls each year, you will be in good company.

Follow these tips on making a successful change.

As fall sets in, are you dreading the cold winter months ahead? Then you may want to join the flock and become a snowbird in South Florida. With an annual population increase of 950,000 souls each year, you will be in good company.

Follow these tips on making a successful change.

South Florida Snowbird Season

‘Tis the season to be merry, erm, warm!

South Florida is the perfect place to escape the harsh winters in the northern parts of the continent. The early (snow)birds start the season in October when the weather is perfect. More arrivals land over the next few months, with many snowbirds choosing to stay in their home state for Thanksgiving.

The season peaks in January, February, and March. Numbers then ebb as the heat and humidity gets a bit more uncomfortable. Snowbirds visit for between one and six months at a time.

Electronic Billing and Information

Being away from your base does not (unfortunately!) relieve you of your admin duties. Not only do you have your primary home to run, but you may also have business responsibilities to handle from afar.

Luckily, the technology of today has simplified a nomadic lifestyle. Make sure that your banking system is set up – either with automatic payments, electronic management, or online transfer options between banks in each location.

Medical Care and Costs

Many snowbirds come to the Sunshine State from northern parts of the United States. Generally, American health insurance is accepted across the country – Florida included. Check if your health insurance policy is valid only in localized areas around your hometown.

If so, you and Canadian snowbirds should mitigate healthcare issues by purchasing private short-term health insurance. There are a variety of coverage options available to you, but it is not a task to be left until the last minute.

Once you get to Florida, you can investigate the doctors near you. You will soon develop a network of healthcare professionals that you feel comfortable with.

Registering a Car and Car Insurance

If you reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months and/ or own a home in the state, you are considered a Florida resident. That means that you have to comply with Florida’s licensing and insurance rules.

Even if you are planning to stay for only 90+ days, you must register your vehicle:

  1. Find an insurance company licensed in Florida and get proof of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) automobile insurance.
  2. Complete an application for title and registration. Take that down to the local DMV along with your current vehicle title and personal identification.

Maintaining Multiple Homes

From cable TV subscriptions to reno upgrades; pool care to grocery deliveries; and everything in between, running more than one household is a bit of a handful.

As with banking, technology has made these tasks so much easier to manage remotely.

How Can We help

If you are thinking about heading to sunny Florida for a temporary respite from the cold and snow, let Florida Estate Management Services (FEMS) make your stay successful. The goal of our services is to make your life as stress-free as possible and includes:

The dedicated team values proactive communication. After every home inspection you receive an email report with pictures and a checklist of what was done. Moreover, we are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round.

FEMS – your secret to being a chilled snowbird in South Florida! Contact us for more information.