Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

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JS-Elcano
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by JS-Elcano »

St. Petersburg, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Nver2Late
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Nver2Late »

My inlaws retired to Las Vegas desiring the warm climate. We have enjoyed visiting them over the years for many of the items on your list.
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bob60014
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by bob60014 »

+1 Naples,FL. Easy access, great restaurants, accomodations, things to do. Miami, Marco Island and a bit of a stretch Tampa, are a day trip away.
interwebopinion
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by interwebopinion »

+1 for the Big Island.

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:37 pm Hawaii
Maui (Kula or Malawian) or the Big Island (Waikiki Ranch private estates)
(Not Oahu)

Very North Scottsdale in the hills or Very North east Scottsdale

Prescott Arizona
(1 mile high in the National Forests and Mountain Lakes
Hassayampa high end areas or Williamson Valley high end developments.

Sedona Arizona

Considering: chaos, traffic, congestion, quiet, privacy, etc.
Budget: up to millions.

j🌺
Zosima
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Zosima »

Balance wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 4:30 pm San Diego, CA
+1. This would be my top choice also.
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vanbogle59
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by vanbogle59 »

JS-Elcano wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:18 pm St. Petersburg, Florida
Tampa, Florida
You say you are from the north east?
There is a certain famous old man, nearing the end of his career, that recently moved from NE to Tampa.
He seems to have enjoyed the move.
His wife, Gisele, even hangs out down here sometimes.

And we are happy to have them.
Y'all are welcome to TITLE TOWN USA!!! :D
Starfish
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Starfish »

California coast, between somewhere north of San Francisco to Mexico border.
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Sandtrap
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Sandtrap »

interwebopinion wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:41 pm +1 for the Big Island.

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:37 pm Hawaii
Maui (Kula or Malawian) or the Big Island (Waikiki Ranch private estates)
(Not Oahu)

Very North Scottsdale in the hills or Very North east Scottsdale

Prescott Arizona
(1 mile high in the National Forests and Mountain Lakes
Hassayampa high end areas or Williamson Valley high end developments.

Sedona Arizona

Considering: chaos, traffic, congestion, quiet, privacy, etc.
Budget: up to millions.

j🌺
Sorry misspelled
Waikii Ranch Private estates
On the high mountain slopes of Mauna Kea off from Kamuela.

Aloha
J
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Williams57
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Williams57 »

If money is not an issue, why even settle for one place (given that you already have a residence in the NE)?
JohnBDB
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by JohnBDB »

California or Hawaii if money is no object. Both got everything weather, mountains, and Pacific Ocean.
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HomerJ
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by HomerJ »

tjtv wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 4:40 pm It's hard to believe that you're willing to spend up to $9.9M, but really don't have any idea of where you want it to be.
Agreed.

Just like youth is wasted on the young, money is wasted on the rich.
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snackdog
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by snackdog »

I am not sure I would blow $9 million on real estate in a strange place based on internet feedback.

Instead, narrow your list (or not) and just go Airbnb for a month at a time in nice places. You can get a pretty good house for around $20,000/month, e,g, luxury ocean front with a pool in Malibu or Palm Beach. Monthly property taxes alone would be half that in Palm Beach. With AirBnb you have zero ownership headaches and you can changes houses or cities every month if you like.
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champion_ham
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by champion_ham »

I’d recommend someplace on 30A (like Rosemary Beach, FL or Alys Beach, FL). I think it checks most of your boxes.
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eye.surgeon
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by eye.surgeon »

Newport Beach area or Carmel.
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marcopolo
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by marcopolo »

interwebopinion wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:41 pm +1 for the Big Island.

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:37 pm Hawaii
Maui (Kula or Malawian) or the Big Island (Waikiki Ranch private estates)
(Not Oahu)

Very North Scottsdale in the hills or Very North east Scottsdale

Prescott Arizona
(1 mile high in the National Forests and Mountain Lakes
Hassayampa high end areas or Williamson Valley high end developments.

Sedona Arizona

Considering: chaos, traffic, congestion, quiet, privacy, etc.
Budget: up to millions.

j🌺
I love the big island so much that we moved here for retirement, but it does not seem like a good fit for the OP.
Not much art and theatre here, atleast not the traditional kind that someone living in the northeast would be used to
Also, not exactly an easy travel from the northeast.
Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.
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Robert The Bruce
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Robert The Bruce »

With your budget, why pick only one? In any case, spend the next 5 winters or so moving from VRBO to VRBO. I could see going back to the same restaurants over and over, but theater? What if there is only one theater in town and they start a 10 year run of “Cats”? And the next town over has “Hamilton”?
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marcopolo
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by marcopolo »

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 8:20 pm
interwebopinion wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:41 pm +1 for the Big Island.

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:37 pm Hawaii
Maui (Kula or Malawian) or the Big Island (Waikiki Ranch private estates)
(Not Oahu)

Very North Scottsdale in the hills or Very North east Scottsdale

Prescott Arizona
(1 mile high in the National Forests and Mountain Lakes
Hassayampa high end areas or Williamson Valley high end developments.

Sedona Arizona

Considering: chaos, traffic, congestion, quiet, privacy, etc.
Budget: up to millions.

j🌺
Sorry misspelled
Waikii Ranch Private estates
On the high mountain slopes of Mauna Kea off from Kamuela.

Aloha
J
We live not too far from Waikii Ranch.
It is a very nice neighborhood, but it can get pretty cold and windy up there in the winter. I am not sure that would be a great option for winter snowbirding.
Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.
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Sandtrap
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Sandtrap »

marcopolo wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:51 pm
Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 8:20 pm
interwebopinion wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:41 pm +1 for the Big Island.

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:37 pm Hawaii
Maui (Kula or Malawian) or the Big Island (Waikiki Ranch private estates)
(Not Oahu)

Very North Scottsdale in the hills or Very North east Scottsdale

Prescott Arizona
(1 mile high in the National Forests and Mountain Lakes
Hassayampa high end areas or Williamson Valley high end developments.

Sedona Arizona

Considering: chaos, traffic, congestion, quiet, privacy, etc.
Budget: up to millions.

j🌺
Sorry misspelled
Waikii Ranch Private estates
On the high mountain slopes of Mauna Kea off from Kamuela.

Aloha
J
We live not too far from Waikii Ranch.
It is a very nice neighborhood, but it can get pretty cold and windy up there in the winter. I am not sure that would be a great option for winter snowbirding.
True.
Maybe Waikaloa area. Nice beaches. Away from the crowds in Kona. Close to Hapuna Beach. Nice resort restaurants. Etc .
Not so much VOG on that end.
j :D
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JS-Elcano
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by JS-Elcano »

Robert The Bruce wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:50 pm With your budget, why pick only one? In any case, spend the next 5 winters or so moving from VRBO to VRBO. I could see going back to the same restaurants over and over, but theater? What if there is only one theater in town and they start a 10 year run of “Cats”? And the next town over has “Hamilton”?
If there's only one theater it is unlikely they would run the same show for an extended period of time. In my experience, this only happens in very large cities with many theaters and many tourists.
marcopolo
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by marcopolo »

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:58 pm
marcopolo wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:51 pm
Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 8:20 pm
interwebopinion wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:41 pm +1 for the Big Island.

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:37 pm Hawaii
Maui (Kula or Malawian) or the Big Island (Waikiki Ranch private estates)
(Not Oahu)

Very North Scottsdale in the hills or Very North east Scottsdale

Prescott Arizona
(1 mile high in the National Forests and Mountain Lakes
Hassayampa high end areas or Williamson Valley high end developments.

Sedona Arizona

Considering: chaos, traffic, congestion, quiet, privacy, etc.
Budget: up to millions.

j🌺
Sorry misspelled
Waikii Ranch Private estates
On the high mountain slopes of Mauna Kea off from Kamuela.

Aloha
J
We live not too far from Waikii Ranch.
It is a very nice neighborhood, but it can get pretty cold and windy up there in the winter. I am not sure that would be a great option for winter snowbirding.
True.
Maybe Waikaloa area. Nice beaches. Away from the crowds in Kona. Close to Hapuna Beach. Nice resort restaurants. Etc .
Not so much VOG on that end.
j :D
Yes. The Kohala Coast would be a much better option weather wise, still not sure it would meet OP's listed needs (theatre and arts, easy travel from northeast).
For us, it is an ideal place.
Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.
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mrspock
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by mrspock »

Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:37 pm Hawaii
Maui (Kula or Malawian) or the Big Island (Waikii Ranch private estates on the high mountain slopes of Mauna Kea
(Not Oahu)
This is the right answer. If FIREing young “ish” (40s?) consider Oahu, as it has a bit more excitement if that’s what you are into. Even Honolulu has a laid back vibe compared to most the the big centers of the mainland. If you want an even more laid back vibe, while still having access to the amenities of Honolulu when you need them, consider the North Shore. The only annoying thing out there is the traffic on weekends due to tourists, if you can get past that it’s super nice.

If price is no object, you can also get a place on the mainland in a LCOL area as well for when you get island fever. Or wait for it….. get a 2nd place in Hawaii on a more laid back island. Not unheard of.
sfnerd
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by sfnerd »

Based on your list, I'd do the "beach cities" of LA... Manhattan Beach, Malibu, etc.

These places are absolutely beautiful and vibrant.

Airport is very close (Manhattan Beach to LAX is 10-20 minutes or less, depending on traffic, and LAX connects everywhere).

Restaurants are great.

Theater and arts are really good.

Beach cities are walkable, with great nature. Weather is great.

Santa Barbara and SD are also nice, but they don't meet your culture and airport requirements as well as the LA beach areas.
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HomerJ
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by HomerJ »

If money was no object, I'd rent a different place every winter.

St. Thomas, Hawaii, California, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

At least for the first few years.... then maybe pick one. Or just keep rotating.
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phxjcc
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by phxjcc »

bloom2708 wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:00 pm Santa Barbara area if money is really no object.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Santa%20B ... jfkCzlM%3d
Santa Barbara.
Specifically, Montecito.
Every place, every single one, starts in no better than second place.
Airport is fine.
phxjcc
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by phxjcc »

bloom2708 wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:00 pm Santa Barbara area if money is really no object.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Santa%20B ... jfkCzlM%3d
Santa Barbara.
Specifically, Montecito.
Every place, every single one, starts in no better than second place.
Airport is fine.
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quantAndHold
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by quantAndHold »

sfnerd wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:21 pm Based on your list, I'd do the "beach cities" of LA... Manhattan Beach, Malibu, etc.

These places are absolutely beautiful and vibrant.

Airport is very close (Manhattan Beach to LAX is 10-20 minutes or less, depending on traffic, and LAX connects everywhere).

Restaurants are great.

Theater and arts are really good.

Beach cities are walkable, with great nature. Weather is great.

Santa Barbara and SD are also nice, but they don't meet your culture and airport requirements as well as the LA beach areas.
This is my opinion, as well. I’m in San Diego, and it’s very, very livable here, better in a lot of ways than our northern neighbors (especially traffic). But while arts and culture, especially food and drink, are good enough in San Diego, the LA area is in a different league. We do okay down here, but we end up driving north a couple of times a year to do or see something that we can’t get at home. Also, LAX has a lot more direct flights to more places.
SwampDonkey
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by SwampDonkey »

Tampa, FL. Specifically the Hyde Park area of Tampa. It has become the "it" area within the city and you'd be looking at least in the $1-2M range for a normal house; could easily go much higher.

Why I suggest the area:
1. Tons of really nice restaurants all within walking distance.
2. It's right next to Bayshore Blvd - a 4.5 mile stretch that curves along the water's edge. Very pretty and scenic. On the waterside, they have a 10-ft wide sidewalk that lots of people use to walk, jog, roller skate on.
3. FL winters are the BEST.
4. Tampa has a LOT going on. Arts, concerts, theater, sports, community events, etc. There is something for everyone.
5. If you get bored with Tampa, you're very close to Clearwater and St Pete Beaches to the west, and Orlando to the east. You can also take a short drive down to Miami or the Keys.
6. Tampa's airport is very large, very nice, and easy to get to (maybe 15-20 minutes from Hyde Park).
runswithscissors
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by runswithscissors »

Honolulu. Anywhere between Kakaako and Hawaii Kai. Maui and the Big Island are beautiful but lack arts and theater with fewer restaurant options. North shore of Oahu is nice but a long drive from restaurants and other activities.
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Kagord
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Kagord »

Another vote for Santa Barbara, wish they had a Los Agaves where I live.
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Sandtrap
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Sandtrap »

mrspock wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:15 pm
Sandtrap wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:37 pm Hawaii
Maui (Kula or Malawian) or the Big Island (Waikii Ranch private estates on the high mountain slopes of Mauna Kea
(Not Oahu)
This is the right answer. If FIREing young “ish” (40s?) consider Oahu, as it has a bit more excitement if that’s what you are into. Even Honolulu has a laid back vibe compared to most the the big centers of the mainland. If you want an even more laid back vibe, while still having access to the amenities of Honolulu when you need them, consider the North Shore. The only annoying thing out there is the traffic on weekends due to tourists, if you can get past that it’s super nice.

If price is no object, you can also get a place on the mainland in a LCOL area as well for when you get island fever. Or wait for it….. get a 2nd place in Hawaii on a more laid back island. Not unheard of.
Great points.
Well said.

I used to belong to a golf league/group for about 8 years. We played all the resort and private courses twice a month. We were able to get great green fees, far lower than the "kamaaina prices" and great tee times.
Of the 30 members in the group, over half were full time snowbirds.
Most lived in Hawaii Kai on Oahu in condo's, townhouses, or homes. Value 700k to 2 mil. Their primary homes were in the cold areas of mainland USA.
At some point, some of them sold either home and settled into either place permanently, as they got older.

j :D
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stoptothink
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by stoptothink »

Sant Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego...no surprise you are getting a ton of these responses. You either love or hate California, not sure which one OP is. I'm an LA native who wouldn't move back to anywhere in California under just about any circumstances (maybe if I was retired and had unlimited funds).
Boglegirl81
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Boglegirl81 »

Any of the places people suggested, but if it were me, I’d purchase a house well below the budget and spend the rest to charter private jets out of smaller airports whenever I wanted to fly somewhere! :mrgreen:
Hypersion
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Hypersion »

30 years ago I would say San Diego but now it's too crowded. I think Ventura country is the best place in the world now. Great weather enough people so you have nice reasuants and such but not too much. Close enough to LA so you can drive when you want a bit more of a big city feel.
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Toons »

Jupiter Fl.
:happy
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Carefreeap
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Carefreeap »

BogleHead1008 wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:40 pm AZ..

Every winter, we drive behind snow birds driving at 55 on a highway while most around them are cruising 75+ mph.

We need them and their money for local economy and so we bear with the speed :-)
They are road boulders. :wink:

Another plus about AZ is that because there are so many snowbirds there a number of communities set up for lock and leave as well to socialize. Terravita, the Boulders and Desert Mountain come to mind. I don't like gated communities so our AZ house is within walking distance to a little downtown area. We pay a service to check the house every three weeks. So far it seems to be working. Thriving art scene in the Cave Creek/Carefree area with Hidden in the Hills studio tour. And the hiking can't be beat with Spur Cross Conservation Area, the Tonto Nat'l Forest and other nearby preserves and parks.
Every day I can hike is a good day.
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by afan »

If you mean it about arts, then you need an older large city with an established arts scene. Museums, operas, orchestras, chamber music, jazz, multiple universities with large arts departments, art and music schools, strong gallery system. Those are mainly in the more northern climates, many in the northeast. About the only exceptions are Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both have abundant arts scenes. Traditional and more contemporary. Both are expensive but your budget would get you a nice place, if not a mansion.
Beaches are not part of the Bay Area appeal. Lots of beaching in Southern California.
San Diego does not have the volume and variety of arts as do LA and SF. Depends on how much of it you want to consume. Being retired, you would have the time to do a lot.

The southern East Coast places people are suggesting have nothing remotely similar to the California sites for the arts community. Neither does Las Vegas. The Southern East Coast places don't have snow. They do have humid summers. Some people would not find that at all appealing.
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Dan S.
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Dan S. »

I'd suggest Sanibel Island, Captiva Florida.
BogleHead1008
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by BogleHead1008 »

Carefreeap wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 12:58 pm
BogleHead1008 wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:40 pm AZ..

Every winter, we drive behind snow birds driving at 55 on a highway while most around them are cruising 75+ mph.

We need them and their money for local economy and so we bear with the speed :-)
They are road boulders. :wink:

Another plus about AZ is that because there are so many snowbirds there a number of communities set up for lock and leave as well to socialize. Terravita, the Boulders and Desert Mountain come to mind. I don't like gated communities so our AZ house is within walking distance to a little downtown area. We pay a service to check the house every three weeks. So far it seems to be working. Thriving art scene in the Cave Creek/Carefree area with Hidden in the Hills studio tour. And the hiking can't be beat with Spur Cross Conservation Area, the Tonto Nat'l Forest and other nearby preserves and parks.
You hit the nail on the head for AZ being snowbirds paradise.
blueberrypi
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by blueberrypi »

Cost no object I'd go to a different destination each year (all of the ones mentioned above) and rent a super nice place. Variety is the spice of life.
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by tigermilk »

afan wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 1:06 pm If you mean it about arts, then you need an older large city with an established arts scene. Museums, operas, orchestras, chamber music, jazz, multiple universities with large arts departments, art and music schools, strong gallery system. Those are mainly in the more northern climates, many in the northeast. About the only exceptions are Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both have abundant arts scenes. Traditional and more contemporary. Both are expensive but your budget would get you a nice place, if not a mansion.
Beaches are not part of the Bay Area appeal. Lots of beaching in Southern California.
San Diego does not have the volume and variety of arts as do LA and SF. Depends on how much of it you want to consume. Being retired, you would have the time to do a lot.

The southern East Coast places people are suggesting have nothing remotely similar to the California sites for the arts community. Neither does Las Vegas. The Southern East Coast places don't have snow. They do have humid summers. Some people would not find that at all appealing.
Yep. Too many suggestions would never make the cut when it comes to arts. Again, I am in Houston and we have world class arts Santa Barbara? San Diego? Hawaii? Florida? Uh, no. Even here, where there are 2 opera companies, it is night and day difference in terms of quality. It is like AAA vs MLB baseball. Sure AAA can be entertaining, but if are really serious about the performing arts I would say the top 5 places when looking across the spectrum of arts in the US are NYC, SF, Chicago, LA, and Houston. Huge difference between regional and international talent.
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Gill »

vanbogle59 wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:51 pm
JS-Elcano wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 7:18 pm St. Petersburg, Florida
Tampa, Florida
You say you are from the north east?
There is a certain famous old man, nearing the end of his career, that recently moved from NE to Tampa.
He seems to have enjoyed the move.
His wife, Gisele, even hangs out down here sometimes.

And we are happy to have them.
Y'all are welcome to TITLE TOWN USA!!! :D
Love your post but it looks like most everyone missed it. :happy :happy Yes, happy to have him in the neighborhood.
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frugalprof
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by frugalprof »

If you like walking on the beach, be aware that Santa Barbara beaches have tar on them. My wife and I went there on our anniversary and it took some persistence to get it off!

#FirstWorldProblems
Wanderingwheelz
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Wanderingwheelz »

HomerJ wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 8:55 pm
tjtv wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 4:40 pm It's hard to believe that you're willing to spend up to $9.9M, but really don't have any idea of where you want it to be.
Agreed.

Just like youth is wasted on the young, money is wasted on the rich.
That says to me that perhaps they’d be better off traveling by Airbnb or higher end hotels. That way they can be wherever they want and don’t have to think too hard about being overly committed to any one place.

Just look at the wide variety of replies that they’ve received. Clearly, there isn’t a consensus, if not a general favorite being SoCal.

If I was a wealthy retiree I think I’d be a free agent until I fell in love with someplace. You’ll know it when it happens.
Being wrong compounds forever.
shell921
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by shell921 »

runner3081 wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:24 pm Money no object? Newport Beach, CA or Malibu, CA.
+1

La Jolla
Coronado
Del Mar
tibbitts
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Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:50 pm

Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by tibbitts »

Toons wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 12:48 pm Jupiter Fl.
:happy
Not until the bridge is finished in 2026.
midlifesaver123
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by midlifesaver123 »

My top picks would be:
Coronado (San Diego)
Carmel, CA
Longboat Key/Sarasota, FL
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Palm Beach, FL
sbaywriter
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Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2016 10:00 pm

Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by sbaywriter »

As a former northeast person who spent most of my life in California, I vote for winters in San Francisco. Amount of rain varies, but it's seldom that you have months of solid rain. Think of it kind of like October / November weather but no snow. San Francisco arts and culture - there are so many places to go. There's at least 4 major art museums in San Francisco itself, my favorite to visit being the Palace of the Legion of Honor which has views of the Golden Gate bridge, followed by the DeYoung museum in Golden Gate park, and of course the Museum of Modern Art - I haven't been to the Asian art museum but I used to visit the collection when it was at the DeYoung museum decades ago.

If you like the dance performances, SF Ballet is world class and there are smaller groups. Zellerbach hall at Berkeley gets wonderful touring dance and music companies. San Jose also has a performing arts center. And many of the other smaller cities, Cupertino, Mountain view, etc, have their own performing arts centers. So you could probably be going out multiple times a week during the winter doing arts alone.

Then there is the spectacular natural scenery, preserved in parks all around the bay, easy to access, trails along the bay. You won't be swimming in the ocean, but if you drive down the coast you will see spectacular scenery. And the redwoods. If I had "money is no object" I would have a winter place in SF for sure.
Workaholic
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by Workaholic »

How far does the OP realistically want to be from their winter home? If they live in the Northeast, Florida is probably the easiest and quickest destination to get to if you want to hop down for a few days any given month. Historically, most snowbirds in the NE tend to favor cities in Florida- Naples, Palm Beach, Miami, etc while snowbirds in the Midwest tend to go to Arizona.

I believe Naples has been voted the best place to retire taking into account taxes, healthcare quality, arts/activities/etc. My wife's relatives have a home on Marco Island and it's quite a nice place to spend a winter.
friar1610
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Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:52 pm
Location: MA South Shore

Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by friar1610 »

Haven’t read all the posts so these may have already been suggested.

- Charleston, SC
- Savannah, GA

We live in the Northeast, are not particularly big on FL and have visited each of those locations in the late winter, albeit for only a week at a time. We loved them both and have thought that either would be our cup of tea if we ever decided to go south more regularly (and for longer periods) in the winter.
Friar1610 | 50-ish/50-ish - a satisficer, not a maximizer
MikeZ
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Re: Best place to be a Snowbird if money is no object

Post by MikeZ »

From and arts and food prespective, I would vote Sarasota, FL; Santa Fe, NM; Or Scottsdale, AZ.

Also Vegas is a valid option but not sure if that is what the OP is looking for.

On a serious not, how important is having a home vs. a series of seasonal rentals?
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