The Snowbird Lifestyle Beyond Retirement: Spending Winter Away While Working Remotely

There is no reason to spend the next 20 years after retirement living in the snow if you don’t want to. That is especially true today, with so many opportunities for remote work, freelance careers, or running a business from your smartphone. You aren’t restricted to only one location, and that is your superpower.

The snowbird lifestyle has traditionally only been around for retirees. Now, splitting your time between a summer home up north and a winter home down south is well within reach for remote workers. The challenge is striking a balance between making both places a home and maintaining the income and work lifestyle you need.

You Don’t Have to Be Retired to Become a Snowbird

Somewhere around 5.6 million people retire each year. They look at their daily lives and decide to fill their time with friends, family, and new community activities. In contrast, about 60 million people work remotely from anywhere they want. That could be a bedroom, a living room couch, a local bar, or a nearby library.

This means there is a popular myth that you must be a retiree to enjoy the snowbird lifestyle. The reality is, once you break the golden chain of employment, you can enjoy life and a career from pretty much anywhere, in any season. That is the appeal of snowbirding and earning flexible income.

Make Sure You Can Work from Another State

Before you jump at the chance to move down to Florida each winter, make sure your current work situation will let you do that. Plenty of remote jobs require weekly in-person check-ins or a reliable internet connection for video conferences. You also need to consider time zones. If you’re based in Oregon but spend the summer in Key West, you’ll be crossing a few time zones.

Give your HR department a quick call. Let them know this shouldn’t affect your output. You can also recommend a test run where you spend a couple of weeks in the new destination for a vacation to see if your career demands suffer or not.

Working remotely as a winter snowbird can also create different tax implications. Consider insurance, licensing, security, and other regulatory requirements for your job. Many healthcare workers must follow strict guidelines that may not allow remote access, so double-checking saves you a lot of hassle down the road.

Choose a Destination That Works After Vacation Ends

When it comes to your snowbird monthly rental location, match your lifestyle to the destination. Don’t hop on a plane with all your bags and show up to Florida without experiencing what life is like there on a typical Tuesday.

Popular snowbird destinations include Florida, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and parts of Southern California. That’s why taking a vacation is another good idea. Ship your car via enclosed transport, take a trip, and explore the area. Three weeks in any new space tells you more about what life would be like than simply soaking up sun at a resort. Some good starter places include:

• Sarasota, Florida, for the Gulf Coast beaches, dining, arts, and transportation access.
• Tucson, Arizona, for desert hiking, mountain scenery, a strong urban infrastructure, and comfortable winter temperatures.
• Gulf Shores, Alabama, is a coastal option with more affordable housing and cooler temperatures.
• Mesa, Arizona, if you want to be close to a major city like Phoenix, RV resorts, and golf.
• Corpus Christi, Texas, for city services, access to Padre Island, and coastal recreation.
• San Diego, California, for vibrant community, surf lifestyle, and plenty of entertainment.

Look for Snowbird Monthly Rentals with Real Workspaces

You must consider your budget. Snowbird monthly rentals cost about the same as regular rentals, but may include more amenities and furniture because property owners know you’re less likely to be a college student hosting a party. However, you have to budget appropriately and plan your living space for your work.

That balcony overlooking the water in Miami sounds amazing, but it won’t if you don’t have a good desk setup and a reliable internet connection. An inexpensive RV resort in Casa Grande also looks good, but it may not have the features you want to feel comfortable and connected with others.

Always compare rental options, make sure they have the amenities you need to do your remote work, and support you throughout a typical day. Remember, you’re now budgeting for two homes and the cost of monitoring or managing those properties when you’re not around. That takes real work besides your career.

Decide What to Do with Your Vehicle

How you get around your two-home areas also affects your work. Many consultants need reliable ground transportation for remote work. You also want the freedom to get to a grocery store without waiting hours for the local subway, train, or bus.

You can drive your car to and from your snowbird home. The trade-off is you’ll spend money on hotels, fuel, food, and entertainment. That’s a lot of wear and tear on the car that you don’t need. An alternative is to use a car transport company to ship your car instead.

All you do is book a trip 2-4 weeks before your designated car pickup time. That gives you a good chance at lower prices and more carrier availability. Just make sure you’re working with a qualified, experienced company with excellent reviews that communicates with you as they coordinate door-to-door delivery. You can save time and hassle by having them ship your car before you even leave your summer property.

The Snowbird Lifestyle Is About Flexibility, Not Age

Working remotely is a great way to add flexibility and adaptability to your life. When snowbird season hits, you don’t need to be a retiree to enjoy the freedom of living anywhere you want when the snow starts to fall.

Go into the situation with both eyes open to the factors affecting your lifestyle. You want to protect your income and career while also matching the snowbird destination to your preferences. A little planning ahead of time saves you a lot of stress down the road. It ensures that when you unpack your bags and open the door to warm desert air or a coastal ocean breeze, you’ll feel comfortable getting to work as much as you do pouring a refreshing afternoon drink.

You don’t have to wait until your career ends to create a winter routine. Spend a vacation getting to know the area you want, then start setting up your life so you’re comfortable no matter what the temperature is.