Living the life of a snowbird

As someone who writes about how Baby Boomers are changing retirement trends in the 21st century, it might come as a surprise that I decided to talk about snowbirds this month. The term snowbird is certainly not a new idea. Even though it’s evolved over the years, the term has actually been around since the early 1900’s. Today it mainly refers to retirees who head to warmer climates in the winter. John D. Rockefeller was one of the first documented snowbirds; he spent his winters in Ormond Beach, Fla. beginning in 1914.

For people looking to escape the coldest of winter days, becoming a snowbird might just be the perfect plan — however, it isn’t always easy or cost-effective. There is a large population of Baby Boomers reaching retirement right now and they are making migrating south for winter as popular as ever, with some modern innovations.

Here are four ways Baby Boomers are changing the snowbird lifestyle:

1. Heading Overseas — Traditionally, snowbirds have moved to states like Florida, Texas or Arizona in search of warmer weather. An alternative we are beginning to see is more Baby Boomers spending winters abroad since the American dollar can stretch much further. Places like Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Ecuador are growing in popularity. They are easy-to-reach locations with generally good climates year-round and they are beginning to build more retirement communities.

2. Doing their research — The internet has made it easier than ever to be a well-informed consumer and Baby Boomers are doing their homework. States that have become particularly popular locations are not just attracting snowbirds with warmer climates, but also by maintaining favorable tax regulations. Savvy Baby Boomers are making sure they understand the laws surrounding tax residency.

3. Using Short Term Rental Sites — Owning, maintaining and insuring two homes can certainly be expensive. Another way Baby Boomers are using the internet to change snowbirding is by offering short-term rentals of their homes during the winter months through sites such as Airbnb and Home-Away. Internet sites like these make it easier than ever to find someone who can help share the expense of maintaining two homes. In some cases, depending on the location and style of a home, snowbirds today are able to make a significant amount of rental income. Of course, there will be expenses like hiring a property manager to oversee cleaning and maintenance and concerns of a stranger living in your home, but for some retirees it’s a great way to make the snowbird lifestyle a reality. As a side note, Airbnb can also be a more cost effective way for snowbirds to get away from a few months without being tied down to one location or the responsibilities of owning a second home.

4. Embracing Side Hustle — Younger generations may use the term “side hustle” to mean a flexible part time job that brings in additional income, but Baby Boomers are adopting the concept. Many people I talk to today plan to have some type of side hustle in retirement to keep busy and maintain purpose. Seasonal work during summer and winter holidays could be an example and may provide some added stability of regular income year after year.

Personally, my wife and I love living in southeastern Penn--

sylvania. As we’ve gotten older we enjoy flying some place warm in January or February, but snowbirding is much more than an

extended vacation. There are many factors to consider before deciding if the snowbird life may be right for you in retirement.

By educating themselves and utilizing technology, Baby Boomers who decide to “fly off into the sunset” are finding new ways to

make this dream a reality.

Tom Kalejta