Becoming a Snowbird

If you feel like Wisconsin summers are the best, but late fall and winter bring you nothing but misery, there is a solution for you! Did you know that you don't have to live in one climate for the whole year? That's right! In the US and Canada, there are over 1 million people every year who temporarily move somewhere else when the weather gets colder. These people are called Snowbirds.

Have you thought about the Snowbird lifestyle? If it's something you're considering, here are a couple of things to think about before you take the plunge.

1. Which location is right for you?

If a warmer climate is all you seek, you have lots of options in the US and even internationally. So how do you narrow your options down?

• Make a list of amenities that you can't live without.
• Think through the type of community you want to surround yourself with.
• Set a budget - Consider both what you can afford to spend each month to live as well as costs for travel to and from the destination each year.

It might make sense to spend time doing some in-person exploration of your options. You could try a new place each month your first year or try a different place each year and take your time committing.

Don't forget, you don't have to commit to one place. Some people enjoy building relationships in their new winter community while others might just want to have a different adventure every year. There is no right or wrong approach to choosing your snowbird location.

2. Should you own or rent?

Many snowbirds own more than 1 home but you don't have to buy a home in your new, southern location. Consider renting a furnished vacation home for a couple of months. Just make sure you get it reserved early so you have the best chance of your desired timeframe being fully available. If you want to purchase something in your new location, refer back to the budget you created in #1 and reach out to your favorite real estate agent to strategize on how to achieve this goal.

What should you do with your Wisconsin home while you're gone? At minimum, you might want to consider having a house sitter lined up to make sure your home stays safe. You could also rent your house out on a short- or medium-term basis in order to earn some additional income.

The topics above are a great starting point to get you thinking about whether or not the snowbird lifestyle is the right choice for you. Once you decide to go for it, there will be many more things to think about such as insurance, medical care, packing, pets, etc. If you need additional resources, don't hesitate to reach out.