From the mid 1900’s through the early 2000’s the term Snowbird typically referred to retirees that moved south to avoid harsh winters. But with clearer intent and options on how people are now living their lives that has been changing – dramatically – and for the good. We’ve noticed the growing influx of Snowbirds to southern US states over the last decade – it’s different than the past. Active living resort communities are a testament to the changes going on.
The term Snowbird typically referred to retirees that moved south to avoid harsh winters. Now the norm is to enjoy retirement ‘when you can’ not when you’re too old to. The term Snowbird now refers to those that simply escape parts of winter to enjoy a month or more in the warmth of the south.
It took us a while to understand that Snowbird life means so many different things to people. But central to each is they all love time away from winter back home and they all love life at their Snowbird home making new friends for life.
SNOWBIRD – WE’VE BEEN CALLED LOTS OF NAMES!
A (Snowbird, Baby Boomer Retiree, Senior, 55+er) lives in a (Snowbird Park, Trailer Park, RV Park, Senior Park, RV Resort Park, Active Living Community, 55plus Park, Winter Trailer Resort, Manufactured Home Retirement Park). One could get just a little confused. But no matter, because we know they mean the same thing. With a few twists…
They all mean about the same thing!
But keep in mind the following:
“Retirement” Keep in mind everyone is not retired in these communities. And those that are may be retired are likely to be so busy doing all the activities they love to do that they sure like they are sitting idle. Our hats are off to them! Remember, retirement is no longer the driver for many to join the Snowbird life.
“Senior” The age groups of parks are many. Often people between 45 and 95. But most often 55 or over (brought about by property tax savings for communities for 55plus). After all, remember, 75 is the new 65!
“Resort” Most of these parks are truly Resorts. So much to do and so much to enjoy. You may sit by the pool, get lost in a great book in the library stacks, enjoy a performance, go to a dance, go on an off-resort tour on your own or with a tour bus group, try a new sport or excel at your favorite sport, or go on a hike with old and new friends. The list goes on and on. Yes, it sure sounds like a resort. Remember, most parks have name differences but whether they have the word resort in their name or not don’t be fooled… they probably are a resort you’ll enjoy!
“Trailer, RV, etc” You will find that many parks cater to manufactured homes, park model trailers (newer types of mobile homes), and RV’s of many types. Some set age restrictions on the trailer or RV to keep the living experience great. Often, you’ll find a mix of home types which will dominate certain streets. But that’s not always the case. Remember, some leave their RVs at the park all year round and some come and go but they are used to making friends wherever they are.
RETIREMENT PARKS ARE TURNING INTO ACTIVE LIVING PARKS – AND THEY ARE ATTRACTING A NEW KIND OF SNOWBIRD
When we were in our 20’s and 30’s we honestly didn’t even think about retirement. Snowbird living or anything like that didn’t cross our minds. We had entered the rat race, had children to raise, and at times lived month to month.
Life events in our mid to late 40’s had us wake up and think longer term. This was about the time we first learned about Snowbirds. Most that we knew were 65+, retired and didn’t like the cold of winter. But it wasn’t until we were in our early 50’s that we started to question where we might want to “retire”. Just having the conversation brought up thoughts of what retirement would look like and if we were ready for it.
“Our minds immediately opened up to exploring Snowbird life as we chose to define it. “
Then we realized the word ‘retirement’, or at least what we thought it meant, was getting in the way of us enjoying time away in the warmth in the winter. You see, we redefined Snowbird living the moment we decoupled retirement from our understanding of Snowbird life. Our minds immediately opened up to exploring Snowbird life as we chose to define it.
It wasn’t long before we saw that the 55 plus active retirement community park we moved in to had many residents that thought as we did. Some worked part time using mobile technologies that enable them to work from anywhere. Others were taking winter sabbaticals from work for a couple of months at a time with no good answer for when they will retire – because it really doesn’t matter. Still others of all ages that just came and went throughout the winter for their annual ‘slice’ of Snowbird time because they had enough financial independence to.
It had been ten years since we first really thought about what a Snowbird was and now we’re experiencing it. So how has Snowbird life changed?
MOBILE WORKFORCE AND HOW THEY HAVE CHANGED WHAT HOME AND EXPERIENCING LIFE MEANS
We have adult children that work from home, work in a cafe, travel while still taking time to work online, and work with online virtual teams from all around the world. They are productive, lead exciting lives, and enjoy life as they want to by fitting work into their life instead of the other way around. One of us has worked mobile and virtually since 2008 and the other works part time online this last year.
“We work to live rather than living to work.”
Those of you that do this, like us, will know of others that are doing the same. It is becoming more common than ever before.
IBM notes that working mobile, offsite, from wherever has decreased costs to many companies while achieving better results and lessening employee stress ( Why is mobile workforce important?, IBM online. )
In The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich author, Tim Ferris makes a compelling reason to forget the old concept of retirement and the deferred-life plan. He explains how you can trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent “mini-retirements”. He’s got a strong following estimated in the millions. Young and older see the value and have begun to work
“The blind quest for cash is a fool’s errand… If you can free your time and location, your money is automatically worth 3-10 times as much.”
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, by Tim Ferriss
THOSE THAT DON’T YET WANT TO RETIRE BUT ARE BENEFITING FROM SABATICALS
Retirement no longer means work until age 65 then use the little time left to enjoy what you’ve worked so hard for all these years. I often think that those with the experience leave the workforce too soon. If they wish to do that is fine. But many are giving great knowledge and expertise to their workplace beyond ‘traditional retirement years’ in exchange for longer times away from work to enjoy the life they choose… often, in warm weather climates each winter!
THE FIRE MOVEMENT AND HOW ITS RESHAPING THE LIVES OF MANY TO LIVE WHERE THEY WANT
FIRE stands for “Financial Independence Retire Early” but the FI part is, in our view, the most important. Mostly because retirement is so difficult to define anymore. The FIRE movement centers on an ability to retire once you’ve got 25x your annual retirement needs in investments. This group, young and old, is growing and pushing back against consumerism (buying stuff) to experiences (enjoying life’s experiences). They are making up stronger cohorts of Snowbirds and will grow the segment significantly in the coming decade. Watch for it!
Look around 55 plus communities near you and you’ll see a few young faces and families that are well on their way. They are finding the benefits of Snowbird life long before many others of the past. Perhaps you can shave a few years off your goals too.
We hope you can see that retirement is changing and with it so is snowbird life. So many can now embrace warm winter retirement living because it’s whatever they choose to define it as.
CONCLUSION
Being a Snowbird used to mean being retired and maybe even looking a little tired too. Not anymore. More 55+ communities than ever before are starting to fill up with a younger under 65 crowd. The life, the vibrance, and the benefits provides the opportunity to live with purpose in a welcoming environment blending generations and encouraging engagement and social interaction. It’s a wonderful thing.
OTHER TOPICS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN
- learn more about Financial Independence and Retire Early (at any age)
- the kinds of Activities in 55+ parks that can keep you young – and there are many!
- opportunities to start a small business to supplement your Snowbird income