Winter Texan numbers dropping in the Valley

[pawatt]

From the McAllen Monitor newspaper:
Click the link below.

http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/winter-texan-numbers-dropping-in-the-valley/article_17c72758-22...

[2lazy4U]

I, for one, hope our neighbors continue to come south from Canada in the winter because I enjoy meeting them. The stereotype of Canadians being nice people is generally very true. I sometimes campground host and am always happy to have Canadians in the campground as they tend to be better behaved, even the younger ones. I meet the same folks every year coming through (Utah) and some aren't retired but just save up their vacation time to come south.

[Francesca_Knowl]

TomG2 wrote:

The question is, will they continue to treat their loyal visitors well or try to squeeze every cent out of us while they can?

The red one. DUH!

This is North American Commerce, after all.

[mamestra]

As others have said, Canadians have to purchase travel insurance which for us works out to about $400.00 a month while we still pay for our "free" health care. Yes our health care is cheaper than yours, but other taxes make up for the cheaper health care.

[TomG2]

pawatt wrote:
From the McAllen Monitor newspaper:
Click the link below.

http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/winter-texan-numbers-dropping-in-the-valley/article_17c72758-22...

The question is, will they continue to treat their loyal visitors well or try to squeeze every cent out of us while they can?

[braeworth]

Don't forget about the absolute need for Canadians to purchase travel insurance while in the US. My partner and I qualify for Medipac's "Preferred Plus" category (cheapest as we're healthy so far) and it costs well over $2,000 for 182 days.

braeworth

[DaSu]

I really feel that the retired boomers are not following in the footsteps of their Parents or older relatives because times have changed. Winters , as bad as they are, are not bad enough to be spending 5-6 months per year of ones retirement years sitting in a compound type parking lot of RV's.We now have snow blowers, plows , warmer clothes, more "indoor" type activities to socialize in the winter months . Also one can make several winter get aways by plane or car for a cost a bit more than the cost of lot rents, gas , and cost of RVs ( maintenence,insurance, and initial cost of RV). Snowbirds tend to think that all retired people go south, when in fact I would be willing to bet a much greater number stay home and enjoy their comfortable larger homes. I would agree with the article that many older snowbirds are dying off or health issues are causing them not to return . There is a new wave of retired people who do not feel they need to do the same thing their previous generations did.This could help explain the lower numbers or at least be a variable. Life is Good.

[nbking]

Canadians have to buy additional insurance for travel in the US because their provincial health plan would not cover them. The health care we received "free" while in Canada, is covered by ever increasing individual taxes that US citizens do not have to pay.

I believe that older snowbirds are getting to the age where they can no longer travel for the winter. The younger set are looking for a much more upscale winter experience than being in an RV park for the winter.

They should do a survey on condos and other more expensive forms of living in the warm climates to get a true picture of what is happening.

[quartzster]

Wow, talk about a simplification for point #2. You really think that not having to pay for health care enables Canadians to retire early? There is no way that factor alone allows any Canadians I know to be able to retire "early".

There are dozens of other reasons that allow people to increase their ability to retire. There are also many benefits received by the American Tax system that Canadians do not receive.

[pawatt]

John&Joey wrote:
According to a storage lot I use the owner commented to me on the dropping numbers. Mostly it is due to death and illness of older snowbirds, and the lack of young snowbirds replacing them according to that owner.

Another thing I thought was interesting was the owner saying that Canadians continue to become a larger percentage of their business year after year. My guess is not having to pay for health care allows them the luxury to retire early and well vs USA.

Yes, agree with part 1 and 2

[John_Joey]

According to a storage lot I use the owner commented to me on the dropping numbers. Mostly it is due to death and illness of older snowbirds, and the lack of young snowbirds replacing them according to that owner.

Another thing I thought was interesting was the owner saying that Canadians continue to become a larger percentage of their business year after year. My guess is not having to pay for health care allows them the luxury to retire early and well vs USA.

[TomG2]

Mostly rumors, I think, but if everyone keeps asking the question then people will start to think it is true. Earlier this week, a friend in Minnesota was advised against going back to the Valley by a lady who has never been there. My friend will be there in October.

(Want to buy a park model in Weslaco?)

Just kidding, I will be there too.

[Fizz]

Just wondering if an extensive survey was done in other Snowbird location, would the results be the same.
For us the price of gas was a major hit. We don't go as far anymore.

[bgum]

From what I have read the RV parks are also raising their prices more than once per year. If that is true then lack of funds could also be having an impact.

[Francesca_Knowl]

1mtnman wrote:
No data!

For any who may want ALL the data the article is based on, here's a page with a link to the whole report!

[pawatt]

Try again, should work now.