Best places for snowbirds
 

We'd appreciate comments on great areas for snowbirds to winter over. We're considering Palm Springs, Fort Myers and Vero Beach in south Florida, and Scottsdale or Tucson.
Any pro and con thoughts on those places and any other favorite places also appreciated.
We're a couple mostly interested in the outdoors and active days wherever we are. Thanks very much in advance.

I prefer Scottsdale. The weather is ideal for me. Not too hot and cool at night. There are many hiking trails in the area also.

Tucson still has it's desert feeling, no artificial ponds, etc like Scottsdale, more laid back, canyons, mountains.

I find the traffic in Phoenix to be very bad. Scottsdale is great but the traffic takes it off my list.

In Arizona, I would choose Tucson over Scottsdale; it feels like a more authentic city to me, and I love the natural beauty south of Tucson. Scottsdale is more upscale and does have a more man-made feeling to it. It's closer to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, obviously, but unless you think you might want to visit Flagstaff often for winter sports, I don't think the drive from Tucson is that onerous.

Florida has a very different flavor, as I'm sure you're aware. I live in Florida, but I love Arizona. I suspect you already know which state you think would suit you best. Are you leaning toward one or the other?

The desert is beautiful, but I could not live for more than a couple of months without an ocean fix.

Thanks for those comments. No posts on Palm Springs or other places, yet. It's a tough choice between the deserts and the water. We love them both.

hate FLA - way too crowded esp in the winter when all the snowbirds fly down.

We visited Anna Maria Island in FL and found it charming and less crowded ( though not uncrowded) than other places in FL. This winter we are spending a few weeks in Tucson, hopin got be in a place that has a different feel and more cultural and economic diversity.

There is plenty to do in the greater Palm Springs/Palm Desert-Coachella Valley area - and that's why so many people flock there during the winter. From the Living Desert - to the tram up Mt. San Jacinto - to going up to Big Bear/Lake Arrorhead if you want - etc - and it's only 2 hours from here in San Diego and the beaches. :)

Here is one page and just google away: http://www.palm-desert.org/things-to-do

Well I'd pick California. But then I absolutely hate the desert (always have). Florida would be my 2nd choice of your choices.

Actually Mexico is my personal 1st choice for part-time retirement living, but not on your list I see.

If I had to live anywhere other than SW Florida, which is heaven in my book, I'd live in Palm Springs/Palm Desert.

Is cost a factor? And is this for this winter? Those may play into your decision.

We love SW Florida, too, and would like to know which areas there are your favorites.
Mexico is an old travel area of mine, but not for a while. What areas of Mexico do you like for part-time retirement living?

Puerto Vallarta is my own true love and where I plan to go. But there are lots of other areas popular in Mexico these days. Lake Chapala has a huge expat thing going on. San Migele de Allende is another popular one.

I think it all depends on what you like. I love the desert because it's such a sensory change from my everyday life. Both sets of parents have snowbirded in some of the areas you mentioned, Naples, FL, Tucson, and Cave Creek, AZ. My favorite has been Tucson. My parents have been staying in Green Valley, just south of Tucson, for a few years now and love it. There are enough activities: good golf, hiking, museums, and dining to keep them busy but with a low-key atmosphere.

You'll have mountains in Arizona and California but there will be the ocean or gulf in Florida. Not a bad choice.

One more consideration is will you be wanting to have family and friends visit you in your choice of places to spend the winter? If not, then it's what you want, otherwise look at if your family and friends would be able to come to the place you choose.

I don't like Phoenix - everything is brown including the physical landscape as well as the buildings. The traffic in Phoenix is a problem and it's flat and uneventful.

Tuscon is a much better choice if you want to be in Arizona. It has beautiful mountains, and a cute downtown area. There is a world famous resort area outside of Tuscon.

http://www.canyonranch.com/visit/off...FUdxQgodIXsAQw


If you want to be near the Pacific Ocean with temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's I would recommend San Diego. There is a lot more to do and see.

nanabee- do have the names of any of the snowbird parks in the San Diego area- preferably N county- Carlsbad, Del Mar etc- I have never seen any when I am down there but likely don't know where to look

I'll throw in Hawaii. I love it there too.

"Snowbird parks" in San Diego? Not that I am aware of. There are trailer parks in Arizona and a some in Palm Springs - but again, I don't know of any in SD - although perhaps there could be some.

Friends of mine are leaving in the next day or so to spend the winter in San Diego, well really, La Jolla. They rent a condo on the coast, stay for four months.

Me, I'm heading to Ambergris Caye, Belize on Wednesday. Not coming home until April.

I've never been attracted to the desert. I like the Gulf coast of Florida. When we some day get too old to head to Belize, we'll probably relocate there.

@Nanabee Correction: Canyon Ranch is IN Tucson;Miraval is outside of Tucson.

I just turned 60. I'm staying in NYC. What's the problem with a little sleet and snow?

Oh, maybe a month or two in Oaxaca wouldn't hurt . . .

Have you considered an RV vacation? Lots of nice RV Resorts in all the US areas mentioned above. If you like all things outdoors, you should give it a try. You can even rent an RV to see if you like it.

I'll throw Punta Gorda into the mix. It's a little north of Fort Myers. Great Downtown area with Fabulous restaurants, lots of community activities, beautiful neighborhoods. Here's a link to the chamber website: http://puntagordachamber.com/

Check out the San Diego area and then Palm Springs is just a short drive away. You will have the desert and the ocean. Look at condos on VRBO

"hate FLA - way too crowded esp in the winter when all the snowbirds fly down."

this person has never been to Florida as there are mostly rural areas in the state. very ignorant comment.

N. of Ft Lauderdale is great but it all depends on what you want to do which you dont share. Scottsdale has lousy sailfish fishing. Fl has good fishing. Belize has a good retirement program and speaks English and great fishing but med care is not good. Fl has batter health care and is designed for old farts.

Best place by far in my opinion is Crestline, CA. Small town, close to Lake Arrowhead. Inexpensive, lots of trees, fun shopping, restaurants, nice hiking trails and lakes. Very dog friendly. Many things to do, mild weather - rarely snows and if it does, it's usually gone in a day.

Best place by far in my opinion is Crestline, CA. Small town, close to Lake Arrowhead. Inexpensive, lots of trees, fun shopping, restaurants, nice hiking trails and lakes. Very dog friendly. Many things to do, mild weather - rarely snows and if it does, it's usually gone in a day.

I used to think we would winter in the gulf coast of FL but we are in love with Tucson.

someone registered to top a 4 yo thread to talk about <i>Crestline</i>?

Must be a RE agent :?

Janis, I had the same thought.

TTT....so we can hear all about the love in Arizona.

Give me the humidity over dry desert air any day. The Vero Beach area is not crowed with snowbirds. We see less traffic on the coast than we ever do in the summer. Spring training in Fl is the best. Beautiful beaches, many activities and bikes trails. Sebastian Inlet is one of my fav places.

There is nowhere more beautiful than Sanibel Island in Florida. the whole island is a wild life refuge, sandy beaches all round the island, it is completely flat so my husband and I bike everywhere, we are seniors so this is a treat. everyone is friendly, lots of great shopping and restaraunts. Perfect. Weather. Highly recommend you Google Sanibel and Captiva Islands and have a look, you won't regret my it. good luck, Lyn

Welcome to Fodors. The OP was asking three years ago. (The Sanibel I. chamber must be working overtime. There have recently been 3 or 4 new members who registered to top very old threads to praise Sanibel and Captiva??? )

In southern Az, Apache Junction is where the majority of snowbirds nest during winter. Scottsdale is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Mexico - Always enjoyed my visit without every having a problem (don't take you guns to town there!) Research this site: http://www.travelandtransitions.com/...ons-in-mexico/
Below was copied. Arrows below are mine
"All of Mexico offers great snowbird destinations. On the western side of the country there are many popular choices, such as San Felipe, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, La Paz and Los Cabos in Baja California. On the other side of the Sea of Cortez are places like >>>> Puerto Peñasco <<<<<< and Hermosillo , the capital of Sonora, a state that is renowned for adventure tourism."

Well, Janis, that's probably because Sanibel and Captiva ARE worth praising.

New Smyrna Beach has a small town vibe, reasonable taxes, housing, close to Orlando airport and now Daytona airport has Jet Blue, Delta and AA. I love the Cape Canaveral seashore, not bad traffic at all, great shopping and restaurants. Bert Fish hospital is now part of Florida Hospital. My Doctor is great there.