Snowbird (person) facts for kids
A snowbird is a person who moves from cold northern places to warmer southern areas during the winter. They usually travel from the northern United States or Canada to places like Florida, Arizona, or Mexico. While many snowbirds are retired, more young people and families are doing this too.
Conversely, a sunbird is the opposite of a snowbird. These people leave very hot places during the summer. They move to cooler areas like high mountains or northern regions to stay comfortable.
Contents
The Snowbird Lifestyle and Seasonal Migration
Who are the snowbirds?
Most snowbirds are retirees who want to avoid the snow and freezing temperatures of northern winters. They keep their main home in the north to stay close to family and friends during the rest of the year. In recent years, younger people with seasonal jobs have also started moving south for the winter.
Some snowbirds are business owners who can work from anywhere using the internet. Many families in the United States spend their Christmas holidays at beach resorts in California or Puerto Rico. Some people travel south because they feel happier with the longer daylight hours found in southern states.
How do snowbirds travel?
Some snowbirds bring their homes with them by using campers or large motorhomes. Others travel by boat along the East Coast Intracoastal Waterway. This allows them to enjoy the water while moving toward warmer weather.
Living on the Road in Recreational Vehicles
The RV community
Many snowbirds use recreational vehicles (RVs) to travel. They often own a motorhome specifically for their winter trips. These travelers usually go to the same RV parks every year. They consider the other people at the park to be their "second family."
Many RV parks call themselves "snowbird friendly" because they rely on these visitors for most of their income. In states like Florida and Arizona, large communities of RVs appear in the winter and disappear when the weather gets warm.
The famous white city of Quartzsite
Quartzsite, Arizona is a very famous spot for RV snowbirds. It has been called the "white city" because so many white motorhomes park there at once. From an airplane, the ground looks completely white. When summer arrives, the RVs leave, and the area becomes a quiet desert again.
Legal Rules for Seasonal Travelers
Taxes and residency
Snowbirds must follow specific laws when living in two different places. Some American snowbirds stay in southern states long enough to claim they live there permanently. They do this to pay lower income tax rates.
Health care for Canadians
Canadian snowbirds usually keep their permanent homes in Canada. This is important so they do not lose their health benefits. They must be careful about how many days they spend in the United States to follow both countries' laws.
See also
- Auto Train – a popular train route for snowbirds and their cars
- Canadian Snowbird Association
- Coachella Valley – a major desert destination in California
- RV lifestyle
- Seasonal human migration
- Summer housees:Emigración golondrina
