As the leaves fall on our city sidewalks, I’m reminded how time flies.

Soon, winter will have landed outside our doors.

Let me tell you: these Canadian winters are cold, polar set and always very long.

Thus, as temperatures dip throughout Canada: a good number of Canadians head south. 

They escape the winter wind, slippery ice and the mounds, and mounds of snow. They choose a warm climate destination for a 4-6 month escape. Their route of migration varies from Spain to Bahamas, California and Jamaica: just to name a few.   

To most, they are known as Snowbirds.  

When I used to hear this term, I would imagine an elderly couple driving in a long classy car, wearing cute beige sun hats. I pictured them tanned, wrinkled and happy: sitting by the beach or on a golf course swinging their putters. 

They-be-enjoying-the-retired-life.  

But that isn’t always the case. Snowbirds can come in all shapes, colors and ages. 

Let’s roll back. It all started in 2010; sitting with my grandmother in my small Montreal living room. The radio played a smooth jazzy song as I observed her slowly sipping tea. She then exhaled and nodded her head. 

We had planned to walk by the water. Maybe get manicures after.

She had arrived at my home early morning to do some baking and ever since, the snowfall had intensified. The sidewalks were now covered, almost invisible to the eye. 

Stepping out the front door meant our boots were going to sink. 

Sink.in.the.dense.white.matter. 

 We remained silent but I knew we were thinking the same.  And Another One!  

Another day of winter walking mania?

Maybe not. We both felt discouraged and trapped. The cold temperature and  the lack of visibility was obvious just from a glimpse out my living room window.

She stood up to grab a cardigan in my basket of clean clothes. She began to fold with me. As she complimented a new shirt I got: she announced that she wanted a change. She expressed her desire to spend the following winter weeks under the sun. 

I folded the last clothing piece from my basket and picked up my tablet to search for options. 

For an 83 year old woman I looked for a sunny destination close to her Canadian home.  I also wanted to ensure a secure environment that offered strong medical aid if needed. As I scrolled through different locations and the rental listings; I realized that I too—was up for a change too. 

I needed a break.  The ice, the piles of snow and those thick heavy gray skies. Alexa, be smart – break out to catch a little sun aid.

Better yet; a lot. I really started considering traveling with Snow. 

 No! Not actual cold water flakes. My bad.  

Snow is also my grand-mothers name. This lovely woman gave birth 13 times. She is hard headed, tireless and loving. Her husband passed away a few years ago and her kids have grand-kids now. She stands strong and deserves comfort and simplicity.  But real talk: nothing is easy or comfortable about this trademark ”Frigidaire freezer” season. 

So glide, glide away Snow! And; If Snow goes, so could I. 

I had recently experienced an important physical trauma. I was now injured and felt the cold crisp my muscles. Each time I tried to balance myself walking on the snow: I tensed up. I now recognized the new difficulties of dressing up to go outside. The scarf, the coat, the boots, the gloves, the hat: the struggle.

Hmm.  Plus, gotta undress when I get back. Got a stool?

After weighing the options and considering our desires: I booked our tickets for a ten week vacay. Being a Snowbird doesn’t necessarily mean being a retiree. Nope. Nowadays, business owners who seek flexible work locations or seasonal employment positions have adopted this lifestyle. There are many factors that create this new Snowbird profile: young families, traveling couples or single go-getters. Some have serious health conditions; like pulmonary illnesses or cold sensitive injuries – just like me, while others simply prefer the hot weather.  The reasons for migration vary; just as the origins and motivations do too.

Only 2000 km drive away, eastern Canadians can easily travel to Florida and avoid the winter months. They most often drive their own vehicles, and unite with others under the sun. They find an important population with whom they share the same nationality, culture and native tongue.  Numerous French-Canadian neighborhoods and popular french venues are found throughout Florida. 

To work legally abroad, a work visa is required. The criteria’s and the wait lengths represents a good effort of logistics; but it’s possible. Nowadays, Covid has absolutely strengthened the work-from-home possibilities. Because of this, certain individuals have been migrating south to avoid shoveling, the transport headaches and winter boot lacing while quarantining. 

Easily accessible and only a plane ride away, Florida represents the quickest route to sunny life for eastern Canadians. The Canadian chamber reports that more than 700,000 Canadians travel to Florida every year and some have ended the annual migration to live in the south full time.

No matter what the duration, Florida and other parts of the southern United States get hit by what I like to call a Snowbird invasion.

Here comes the BOOM!

Not unlike most areas in North America with great real estate options, South Florida has been recording an explosive real estate boom since 2021. In many areas, the median price for a home has grown by as much as 50% compared to 2020. Most homebuyers can expect a bidding war when they try to purchase a sunshine property. 

Zillow, a popular online real estate marketplace, recently reported that 15% more people relocated to South Florida rather than moving out of the state. This reality definitely reflects the interest increase in warmer climate homes.

Like most pleasures, there are a series of rules and regulations to respect while traveling outside our country of residence. Unwanted interruption of healthcare or heavy penalties can result if the residence status requirements are not respected. Canadians who want to keep their Canadian benefits and ensure no interruption, must respect the residency requirements. 

Covid has enabled many to move south these past winters. Online school and home tutoring can be taken advantage of in Tampa, Dominican Republic, or anywhere else that has decent internet service. But your child should be registered in the school where they will be attending once you return home. 

Traveling south has many obvious benefits but let’s be fair, it’s not all sunbathing and margaritas. The distance can also create extra emotional luggage and feelings of isolation, especially when quarantined. Certain pressing realities can easily create feverish “hometown blues”. Dark moods, a breakup, job loss and stressful matters quickly muddle the sunny life.

It’s true: nothing compares to physical presence. 

Sure, video calls help; but we all know it’s not the real thing. Being a far can be not only sweet and sunny but sad and salty.  It’s to consider.

I love Canada, I love my peeps and my hometown.

This said, after about five to six weeks spent under dark clouds, in slushy streets, feeling the cold air and obeying the dressing up/dressing down saga: I’m over it. 

Once this pandemic clears, if layering up with coats, hats and handling the loads of snow isn’t your jam: maybe it’s time to change your winter location. 

Visit Florida, visit California, visit anywhere that’s snowless. Add some “sunshine jelly” to your winter days. It might stick.

For Snow and I: it most definitely did.