A snowbird is defined as an individual who escapes cold climates and instead chooses to ride out the winter months in places much milder like Arizona, Florida, California, and Texas. If this type of lifestyle sounds appealing, you may want to consider becoming a snowbird yourself. But before you do let’s cover all the bases... 

This blog will serve as the ultimate moving guide for snowbirds. It will provide an overview of what snowbirds are as well as include several tips and tricks to help them ensure their winter escape is seamless.  

Flying South

That’s it, you’ve finally reached the point that chasing the sun and travelling back and forth every six months is just too much. Permanently living in a warmer climate is definitely for you and you are ready to make the big move. Now what? First start with educating yourself about the area you have chosen to relocate to.

Moving to a new place can be daunting, especially if you are moving from a colder climate to a warmer one. There are many things that need to be considered when deciding on where to move and how best to prepare for your new environment. In order to make sure that you will be able to adjust well in your new home, there are some things that must be researched beforehand.

Find out about the local climate

The first thing on your list should be researching the weather and climate of where you intend on living. When you're moving to a new place, it's important to know what to expect. The climate in South Carolina or Florida is very different from that of Canada. For example, here are some things you should know about:

• What is the difference between summer and winter seasons?
• How hot does it get during the summer months?
• What are extreme temperatures like (highs, lows)?
• What is an average temperature for the year and how does this compare with where you're coming from?

Know the difference between summer and winter seasons

When you think of the word "summer," what comes to mind? For many people, it's warm weather and blue skies. But if you're moving from a colder climate to a warmer one, there are some key differences between summer and winter seasons that you need to know about.

In addition to having different temperatures, summers and winters have other distinct features too: Summer is hot and humid in most of the Southern States, so humid in fact, it feels like a steam bath most of the time. There may be fewer good hair days. Stay inside as much as possible during the summer months, especially in July and August. Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day (usually between 11am and 3pm). Wear light clothing that is loose fitting! For example: linen shirts and dresses, linen shorts, or capris instead of jeans or khakis (if you must wear pants). You can also buy clothes made from natural fibers like cotton or hemp which are lighter weight than synthetics such as nylon or polyester. Drink plenty of water throughout your day to stay hydrated!

The threat of hurricanes is very real for Florida during the six-month long Atlantic hurricane season. The Fall is considered hurricane season, usually peaking in mid-September. So, if you are thinking of buying something right on the water, bad weather and extra protection is something to consider.

As you likely already know, winter is the most pleasant time in the south, but also the busiest with tourism and overcrowded beaches. It’s a good idea to check out where the locals go when they want to escape the craziness.

Check which zones your house is in by local codes

Before you sign on the dotted line and buy a house, it's important to know what zoning is and how it affects you. Zoning is a set of laws that determine what types of developments can be built in your area. It also dictates how much land can be developed, as well as what activities are allowed on that land.

Zoning regulations vary from city to city but have one thing in common: they're designed to help keep neighborhoods safe and orderly for everyone who lives there. For example, if you live in an area where houses are close together but there aren't any sidewalks or streetlights along the roadways, that could indicate poor planning by local officials. It might also mean traffic safety issues because people drive faster than they should while navigating through those poorly lit streets at night without sidewalks!

In addition to helping plan out new neighborhoods before construction begins (or after), zoning codes also affect how much money homeowners spend on utilities like electricity/gas bills over time because these things need updating regularly due to wear-and-tear over time."

Check insurance rates

You'll want to make sure you don't have higher insurance rates because of where you live. When you're moving south, it's important to check the insurance rates in your new location. Some cities have higher insurance rates than others, so it's a good idea to research this before you move.

If you're moving from a colder climate like Canada to somewhere warmer like Texas or Florida, then you may find that not only is your current homeowners or renters’ insurance no longer valid, but the rates could be much higher than what you are used to due to the extra natural disaster protection. You'll want to make sure that all your belongings are covered by an appropriate policy before they are shipped down south as well!

Choose movers that can do the job

Now that you know where you are moving to and what to expect, it’s time to choose how you are getting all your belongings there. That includes all your furniture, personal items and even your vehicles. Long-distance moves are a bigger deal than local moves, and in-turn, require even more consideration into what moving company you choose. It’s important to pick movers that not only have a great reputation but also ones that have done this before. Long distance movers are not a dime a dozen. In fact, finding a company that has experience, the proper licences to take your belongings across the border, the right insurances, and a great reputation can be harder than you might think.

Moving south is a big decision and Birds Moving is the company you want to take you there. As a member of United Van Lines since 1959, Birds Moving has been serving the Niagara Region since 1933, providing its residents with quality service they can depend on. If you have made the decision to move south from colder climates, give us a call for a free no hassle quote.