The era of the classic Florida snowbird might soon be fading, as more retirees decide to make the Sunshine State their year-round home rather than just a seasonal escape.
Traditionally, these snowbirds would retreat to Florida’s sunny shores for up to half the year, often migrating from the chilly Northeast of the U.S. or Canada to dodge the harsh winter months.
However, real estate professionals now report that many retirees are opting to settle in Florida permanently, attracted by lower living costs and favorable tax incentives.
Chuck Bonfiglio Jr., president of Florida Realtors and broker-owner of AAA Realty Group in Plantation, shared with the Daily Mail, “People are drawn to Florida for its sunshine, lifestyle, and natural beauty. But time and again, buyers tell us they stay for more than that—Florida offers lasting opportunities.”
He continued, “Although we don’t specifically track which snowbirds decide to stay for good, many are lured by the same qualities that originally attract buyers: a high quality of life and the financial perks of a low-tax, business-friendly environment.”
Bonfiglio also noted, “Personal reasons, like the desire to be closer to family, frequently influence when these decisions are made.”
According to Redfin, in 2025 homebuyers across the country were in search of properties in peak snowbird states, including Florida, Arizona and the Carolinas.
Since 2020, insurance premiums in the US have risen 30 percent and property taxes have increased by 27 percent since 2019, Kiplinger reported.
More than 23,000 people are reportedly looking to relocated to Florida as of 2025. Naples in Florida is pictured
Cheaper states including Florida have robust financial benefits for retired residents
Florida Realtors president Chuck Bonfiglio Jr (pictured), who is also broker-owner of AAA Realty Group in Plantation, told Daily Mail people move to the Sunshine State for the lifestyle
States with little or no income tax have become magnets for the wealthy, leading to permanent relocation.
Financial adviser Brandon Summers wrote in Kiplinger: ‘Wealth creators are integrating long-term wealth planning into their financial strategy, and more permanent interstate moves are a large part of that.’
Summers reported that states, including California and New York, are losing billions because of outbound migration. There, regulations are cracking down on dual residence.
Auditors reportedly closely examine how much time retirees spend in each state, voting registration and property ownership.
At the same time, low-tax states have been gaining residents. Between 2011 and 2021, Florida accrued nearly 1.6 million residents, according to Forbes.
Consequently, housing supply in the Sunshine State dropped 3 percent in the last year and demand is up, with more than 23,000 people looking to relocate for good.
The state boasts no income tax or state estate tax and offers ‘robust’ finance protection laws, Summers said.
Florida also does not tax pension or any other form of retirement income.
Cities in Florida like Cape Coral (pictured) are among the top destinations for retirees
Residents from colder states flock to Florida for the year-round sunshine and beaches like Daytona Beach (pictured)
Financial advisor Brandon Summers reported to Kiplinger that relocating permanently could be the most financially savvy decision
Bonfiglio Jr told the Daily Mail: ‘Today’s homebuyers want a place that delivers both a great quality of life and long‑term value, and Florida consistently delivers on both.
‘We continue to attract new residents at one of the highest rates in the country. In 2024, more than a quarter of the people who moved into Florida homes came from another state – many from higher‑cost, higher‑tax areas in the Northeast and out West.
‘International demand has also strengthened, with global buyers accounting for about five percent of existing‑home purchases and international sales rising 50 percent year over year.
‘As insurance premiums stabilize and mortgage rates continue to ease, affordability is improving and opening the door for even more people who want to make Florida their full‑time home.’
AARP reported a rising trend in retirees choosing to move abroad or travel rather than bounce back and forth from winter homes, especially amid health concerns.
Canada has always been a country that has seen snowbirds migrate for the colder months.
But president and managing editor of the Snowbird Advisor Canada, Stephen Fine, told the Daily Mail that many are no longer looking towards the US and instead are looking to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific.
‘Travel to the US for Snowbirds is down this year, but not down nearly as much as other travel segments,’ he told the Daily Mail.
More than 23,000 people are reportedly looking to relocated to Florida as of 2025. The Villages retirement community is pictured
More and more retirees are choosing to list their homes and move to warmer states for good
President and managing editor of the Snowbird Advisor Canada, Stephen Fine, spoke with the Daily Mail about trends amongst Canadian snowbirds
‘We’re not sure if it was because of the current [political] environment or it was because of finances or increases in insurance costs in some destinations,’ he added.
The organization conducts an annual survey of snowbird trends for its website.
Approximately 23 percent of snowbirds preferred to travel internationally last year.
While rentals are a popular alternative for snowbirds who don’t want to worry about year-long costs, even that has become financially impractical.
‘Rental prices have gone up significantly over the last few years as well,’ Fine said.
‘So it’s competitive. There are, in some areas that are popular with snowbirds, high demand, low availability and increasing costs.’
Financial expert Summers recommends planning for a permanent move abroad or domestically years in advance.
‘Visit potential destinations, build relationships and evaluate tax, insurance and health care systems as part of one integrated plan,’ he wrote in Kiplinger.
‘Seasonal migration is no longer necessary. Retirees can build a long-term lifestyle, but they need to plan now.’
