FORMER SNOW BIRDS STAYING HOME

Why are two former snow birds staying home this winter? Before our retirements 20 years ago, my husband and I  dreamed of spending the winter in a warmer climate.  As we trudged our way to work through blizzards and freezing rain, we were comforted by the promise of escaping northern winters once and for all,  once we began collecting social security.

That dream finally came true when we spent our first two winters in Costa Rica. What a beautiful romantic country with so much to see, charming people and near perfect weather.  And yet, it seemed unwise to stay so long in a place where our health insurance wasn’t good, and our children would have to fly down to rescue us if we got sick.

We spent one winter in Florida, but it wasn’t right for us.  Way too much traffic—so bad that the “natives” were forced to grocery shop in the middle of the night . Going out to dinner entailed long drives to get the the restaurant, and slow service once we arrived.

Next, we alternated between rented condominiums  in Jekyll Island, Georgia, and South Padre Island, Texas.  For the first few years, while  our health was still good, it wasn’t a big deal to load up the car and drive to our destination.  And, we didn’t mind the inconveniences that come with staying in a rental unit. We enjoyed shopping, walking the beach,  enjoying a change of scene, and making friends from all over the USA. .

Island vacations sometimes disappoint
FORMER SNOWBIRDS ARE STAYING HOME THIS WINTER

But all of a sudden, I knew it was over.  We couldn’t face packing up the car and  driving  through miles of hectic traffic, in  snow, sleet, and rain;  hampered by  failing eyesight and slower reaction times.   The positives of warmer weather and a change of scene  now seemed outweighed by the negatives.

Here are a few things we won’t miss about spending the winter on a southern island:
  1. Not having our local newspaper and the Indianapolis Star delivered to our door..  On an island, you’re lucky to have access to a USA today, if you’re wiling to get dressed and either walk or drive to a gas station.
  2. Small screen TV with a finicky remote, frequent blackouts, and only a few channels.
  3. Barely comfortable furniture, and no big recliner.
  4. Driving miles across a bridge once a week to load up on groceries. .
  5. A too small refrigerator and freezer . Sparse kitchen utensils and silverware.
  6. Iffy weather, accompanied by erratic heating and cooling. I’ve spent many a cold day inside with my coat on, waiting for maintenance to “fix” things.
  7. Forwarded mail arriving 7 to 10 days late.
  8. Uncomfortable beds
  9. Nothing but a walk in clinic across the bridge if you get sick.,                                         For years, it seemed that  the effort to go South for the winter was worth it.  And then, it didn’t.  As Dorothy said to Toto, “there’s no place like home.”

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