How to Become a Snowbird or Make the Move from Connecticut to South Florida

January 26, 2019 scroll to read ...
It isn't easy to make the move, but from one Northeasterner to another, it's worth it. I know because I've done it. And, I'm here to help you every step of the way. Now, what are you going to do?

How to Become a Snowbird or Make the Move from Connecticut to South Florida

  Connecticut is a beautiful state, but there comes a time for some people who want to escape cold and harsh winters of the Northeast. Some are lucky enough to become snowbirds. They will winter in south Florida and still enjoy Connecticut in the summers. Others may decide to make the move, sell the big house up north and buy something in south Florida. Images of palm trees, lazy days and walking on the beach come to mind.   MarketWatch has listed their 3 reasons why people are leaving the Northeast. You can read it here.   So, how to go about it, where to begin? Well, I'll tell you. I'm from the Northeast and moved to Florida 24 years ago. It was a full-time move for me. It was a big move, a lot of details to be taken care of, and I wish I had someone who had written an article like this to help me.  

SNOWBIRD, SNOWFLAKE, OR MOVE

  Snowbirds fly to south Florida in the winter. When temperatures drop, snowbirds head south. It's pretty nice because they have the best of both worlds - beautiful weather in the winter and beautiful summers to enjoy in Connecticut.   Snowflakes are people who come for extended periods in the winter, but not the whole winter. They may fly down for long weekends, holidays and a few weeks at a time. They may still have kids in school and need to adhere to the school calendar, or perhaps they're still working.    Other people will decide it's time to go. They're ready to make a change and head south for an easy-going, active lifestyle, perhaps to one of our pet-friendly 55+ gated communities in Delray Beach. Everyone needs to decide what will work for them, how it fits into their family and what they want to do. It's a good thing we have options!     When you think of becoming a snowbird, you should figure out how much time you plan to spend in south Florida. Do you want to keep your home in Connecticut and winter in Boynton Beach or Boca Raton? Do you just want to fly down here and there for weekends and holidays? Or, are you ready to make the big move?  

WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE

  One of the first things to think about is where you'd like to live. Are you a beach person who loves to sit on the sand daily? Then a condo at the beach may work for you. Some people prefer to live on the ocean. They want to look out their windows and see the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. They want to go downstairs and walk in the sand. Others are happy if it's within driving distance.    

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." Jacques Cousteau

  How about boating? Are you a boater interested in living in a boating community or a house with a private dock?   Do you prefer to live in a condo or townhouse? Do you want to live in a condo in Boca Raton or Delray Beach downtown and walk to restaurants? Perhaps a villa (Florida term for a single story condo, sometimes with garage, attached on one or more sides.) These are things to think about...You may not want stairs at this point, and I wouldn't blame you.  


GATED COMMUNITIES

  Are you thinking of a gated community with activities? Sure, we have loads of them here and all types too. We have equity golf clubs, all-age gated communities with no equity and active adult 55+ communities with no equity. Hmmm, more decisions!   Equity golf clubs have considerable fees attached to them. If you're a golfer, this may be the lifestyle you're seeking. If not, and you don't want the extra mandatory fees, then gated communities with no equity may be a better fit. These gated communities have a monthly homeowner's fee, but no mandatory extra fees attached.   We have different types of gated communities. We have gated communities that are all ages and gated communities that are 55+, pet friendly 55+ communities in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach or senior communities.   Don't get scared! When I say senior or 55+ communities, I am not talking about the 55+ communities of days gone by. Of course, those still exist. I am talking about upscale, new or newer communities geared to the baby-boomer generation with enough activities to keep you busy morning till night - if you desire. These communities have clubhouses with pools, social events, fitness centers, some may have cafes, cards, billiards, clubs of all sorts, events, pretty much something going on all the time.  

MEDICAL CARE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

  As we get older, we worry about our health. Can your doctor refer you to someone down here? That's the first question I would ask my doctor in Connecticut. I'm moving to Boynton Beach or Highland Beach in south Florida. Do you have a colleague you can recommend I see? Many doctors up north have friends or counterparts in south Florida.   If you have a condition that needs monitoring, you'll especially want to look into this. If your doctor up north doesn't know anyone, ask around. It takes a little research, but is well worth it. Palm Beach County has changed over the past 24 years. We have some very fine doctors and hospitals.   Boca Raton Regional Hospital has grown into a world-class facility that includes a neruo center and cardiac center, Delray Medical Center has expanded and is a level 1 trauma center, and Bethesda in Boynton Beach has grown from one facility to three, including a new cardiac center. Nearby is also JFK Medical Center and we are driving distance from University of Miami Health System, where Bascom Palmer is one of the leading eye centers in the country.  

TAX BENEFITS

  Unlike Connecticut, Florida does not have a state income tax. Florida is also a homestead state. In order to take advantage of the homestead exemption, you must declare Florida your domicile and spend at least six months and one day here. My best advice is to speak to your accountant or tax professional who can advise you on this.  

LEGAL DOCUMENTS - WILLS, TRUSTS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY

  Will, trusts and powers of attorney written in Connecticut or any other state may not be recognized in Florida. Check with your attorney in Connecticut, or contact a legal professional in Florida, for guidance on this. You don't want to be faced with a situation where you need one of these documents only to find out it won't be accepted.  




 

MOVING TO SOUTH FLORIDA WITH PETS

  If you're a pet owner (like me) you'll want to check into this before buying a place in south Florida. Why? Because, depending on the type, breed and weight of your pet and how many you have, certain communities have pet restrictions that may not work for you. And we pet owners know our fur kids are part of the family, so where we go, they go (at least in my world!) Don't worry! We have plenty of communities - some are more pet friendly than others. You have options! Some are pet friendly to larger dogs. But, and this is important but, you need to know before you buy. Or you may prefer a house in a non-gated community if you have many pets.    Contact a pet friendly REALTORĀ® in south Florida for more information. And, please, don't go directly to any builder without a buyer's agent. They are FREE to you, so have someone who truly cares about your needs and wants, not someone just looking to sell you a house. Remember, the sales people work for the builder - not you. They're out to sell you a house - any house - even if the community may not be the perfect fit.   Talk to your vet. See if they can recommend a vet here. And, don't forget to get a copy of your pet's records to bring with you.  

UTILITIES, CABLE, ETC

  If you're going to become a snowbird, check with your local utility companies in both Connecticut and Florida to find out about any interruption in service while you're gone.  

WATCH THE HOUSE

  Whether it's a condo you buy or a house, if you're a snowbird or snowflake, you'll need to have someone stop in to make sure your air conditioning is running, toilets are flushing, and all is ok. Same thing goes for your house up North. There are people and companies who do this kind of work. Check with your neighbors to see who they use or ask your REALTORĀ® .    

MY FRIEND TOLD ME...

  We all have friends and, when it comes to real estate, everyone has an opinion. I've heard this a thousand times, my friend told me. I'm not saying your friend is wrong. They may be right. But, everyone has their own comfort zone and you need to find yours.   I've had two friends come together who live together up north and one cried in my car saying she couldn't live where her friend was living. It happens. So listen to what they have to say. Then talk to your real estate professional who will help find you a house in your comfort zone (which may be next to your friend, I don't know, but it also may not be.) In the end, you're the one who will be living there, so it needs to work for you. You need to be comfortable there.  

FINAL THOUGHTS ON BECOMING A SNOWBIRD

  Ultimately, it's your decision whether to become a snowbird, snowflake or take the plunge and move south. Whichever you choose, in my opinion, you can't go wrong. South Florida has so much to offer in the winter that the Northeast just doesn't, and that's the weather. Throw on a pair of sweats and a tee shirt and you're out the door walking Chloe or Teddy in the morning. You can play tennis, golf, pickle ball, walk on the beach pretty much every day.   Saturday mornings are a nice place to spend at the Green Market, if you like that. Arts and entertainment, great restaurants, beautiful homes and great weather make for a winning combination.   It isn't easy to make the move, but from one Northeasterner to another, it's worth it. I know because I've done it. And, I'm here to help you every step of the way. Now, what are you going to do?  

How to Become a Snowbird or Make the Move from Connecticut to South Florida

   


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