I’ve been coming to Naples and SWFL for vacation since I was a baby – one set of grandparents snowbirds on Sanibel Island and the other set in Naples. When my grandparents got sick around 5 years ago, I started spending a lot more time at my grandparents’ house in Naples since my mom was helping to take care of them. I truly fell in love with all that the community/lifestyle has to offer. Eventually, when my grandparents passed and we sold their house, my mom knew we needed to get a place down there ourselves, especially since my grams still has a place on Sanibel (and will hopefully be returning this season for the first time since Ian!!) so my mom rented an apartment for the last 2.5 years until we found a home that was perfect for us (for now lol).

We moved in in May and this is the first season we are all spending 6 full months down there (these last couple of years we’ve come back for 2 weeks around Christmas and New Years), but we are excited to make it a home and spend time down there this holiday season. 

Snowbirding Q&A

I always get so many questions about my snowbirding lifestyle and just about Naples and Florida in general, so I put together a Q&A with the most commonly asked questions I see in my DMs. Keep reading for all of your questions answered!

What’s the biggest difference between life up north and in Florida?

The weather lol! Also, Florida has a much more wellness-focused/healthy-minded lifestyle, there are health and wellness classes and offerings everywhere you turn plus so many fruits and vegetables – it’s impossible not to be healthy! 

Do you miss winter, or do you prefer Florida’s warm weather year-round?

I miss snow (I snowboard) but I don’t miss the cold. Naples actually does a fake “Snowfall” around the holidays so although it is definitely not the same, it’s nice to see “snow” and palm trees.

Do you plan on becoming a full-time Floridian, or do you love the seasonal lifestyle?

Everyone always asks me this but not anytime soon, I’m happy with splitting my time and getting the best of both worlds. 

How do you decide when to leave and return each season?

It just depends on our life events and schedule but generally, we leave OC around Halloween and come back end of April or early to mid-May.

What are your favorite things about Florida living—beaches, food, events?

All of it! My favorite part is definitely the lifestyle – I’m truly my best self in Florida. Between the sunshine and getting to spend time by the pool or the beach, and all the new workout and wellness offerings (like cold plunges and sound bowls), to all the fresh vegetables and fish! The second thing I love is the food – there are sooo many cute and trendy restaurants and so many of them are reminiscent of Italy which is so fun. It truly is the best culture and lifestyle. 

Any advice for someone thinking about becoming a snowbird?

If you’re able to work remotely or take some time off, even if it’s just a couple of weeks, DO IT! 

Here are my tips:

• Test the Waters: Start with an extended vacation to your desired destination to see if it feels right.
• Plan Your Finances: Budget for two residences, including travel, utilities, and property maintenance and management costs.
• Organize Health Care: Research doctors, pharmacies, and insurance coverage in both locations, something I didn’t really think about.
• Downsize and Declutter: Travel light and downsize/declutter what you leave behind.
• Build Community: Get involved in local workout groups or clubs to feel connected year-round.

How do you manage work, hobbies, and personal life with the snowbird lifestyle?

Luckily, I have a very flexible routine, so I’m able to create different routines and find hobbies and activities in both locations that work for me and my schedule. It is definitely tough balancing friendships and a social life in 2 places (especially when you’re not around half the year) and I’m still working to make some friends in Naples. Luckily a lot of the friends I’ve found in Naples travel for the summer so they share the snowbird lifestyle, and a lot of my Ocean City friends get it or travel themselves since it’s so slow in the winter season. I kind of get the best of both worlds!

If you have any more questions about snowbirding or life in Florida, feel free to send me a DM! To Florida I go!