Any such thing as a Half-Back Snowbird?

[lizzie]

Having been born and raised in the Florida Panhandle with some distain for "Snowbirds", I now find myself in a peculiar situation. Eighteen years ago we began to slowly progress toward the "upper" South, winding up in the mountains of NC. Last week I bought a property in the Florida Panhandle to park during the colder months. Does this make me a "snowbird", a "half-back", an "almost-back", or maybe a "silver-haired Crackerette"? lizzie

[fla-gypsy]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Fl economy would collapse with out Snowbirds......just ask any retail business how their profits were in 2008-2010

I do not believe your assertion is correct. Only a limited regional area of Florida is affected by snowbirds. In fact some tourist areas (central Florida and north) do better in the summer.

[Community Alumni]

Hoppypoppy wrote:

Until you have lived in an area that is invaded by snowbirds, you have no idea of the aggravation. From drivers who have nowhere to go, but decide to go anyway, during rush hour, with no knowledge of the roads, or the local laws, to new-made-trailer-park-friends who see each other in a store and decide to block aisles while they catch up, completely oblivious to people trying to get around them. Every eating establishment is now crowded, and since they have no place to be, tie up tables for hours while others wait. To be frank, a lot of them are rude and act like we are blessed to have them clogging things up. They do contribute some tax dollars but I wonder how much they help considering the resources (fire dept, whose calls jump dramatically during Snowbird season, police dept, investigating accidents, road deterioration etc) they use. I think bottom line I wish they would stay home. JMHO

Perhaps you should take the time to talk to local business owners and government officials to learn about the positive economic impact "snowbirds" have on your community.

I have spent quite a bit of time and a lot of money in Arizona in recreational activities, RVing, and more recently as a homeowner. I can assure you the monies I spend during my visits to Arizona have a lasting effect on the local economy, lasting far longer than my visits.

As a someone living in a resort community in So Cal, I know first hand the impact visitors have on my community. Many of the local businesses could not survive without the money spent by visitors and second homeowners. Our public services, such as schools, public safety, and road maintenance, are subsidized by second homeowners that barely get to use those services. Most of us in our community value and welcome visitors to our area, we also know to stay away from areas popular with visitors during the holidays.

Be grateful for people like us that come to your state and help keep your economy afloat. As visitors, we spent over $19 billion dollars last year, and the money we spent on local businesses supported another 139,000 jobs outside the travel industry.

http://www.azot.gov/system/files/931/original/Arizona%20Travel%20Impacts%2012p%20FINAL.pdf?1373417711

[Old-Biscuit]

Dog Folks wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Fl economy would collapse with out Snowbirds......just ask any retail business how their profits were in 2008-2010

Don't give us that old saw again. 2008-10 was just a down time for the whole country.

Just how do you think we merchants live during the EIGHT months that snowbirds are not here?

We appreciate the snowbirds and I never complained about extra traffic, long lines, etc. BUT we won't die without them.

Any snowbird that thinks that they are that important is sadly mistaken and welcome to take the nearest interstate north.

Glad to know that....I'll leave my $$$ elsewhere.
Never liked FL anyway. Too many rude, arrogant retailers that happily take the $$ but talk about you behind your back.

[Francesca_Knowl]

lizzie wrote:

Francesca you can be a Crackerette but I will have to give you the secret code and teach you the secret handshake. lizzie

Thanks! Mom will be so proud...

[colliehauler]

When I went to FL I avoided rush hour like the plague. I went out when there was the least amount of traffic to grocery stores and restaurants.

[lizzie]

When I was a kid, "Snowbirds" were people who came down from Birmingham Alabama in the spring to behave badly. The real Snowbirds went further south.
Francesca you can be a Crackerette but I will have to give you the secret code and teach you the secret handshake. lizzie

[RVUSA]

John&Joey wrote:
Is there such a thing as a local Floridian? As in more than three generations?

I'm one. 4th for me, 5th for my kids.

[hooligan]

lizzie- Welcome back...we'll save you a seat at the Florabama....

[Bobbo]

I have a mug to give my friend of 35 years for Christmas, even though he is Jewish. He was born and raised in New York City, but moved to TN in 1978. It says:

"You Don't Become Southern, You're Born That Way!!!"

It is a mason jar with a handle.

[Francesca_Knowl]

lizzie wrote:
"silver-haired Crackerette"?

:B

Love it! If you're not going to use that one, may I?

[Hoppypoppy]

RetSgt7114 wrote:
@ hoppy poppy - Well that's good of you to know everything and everyone. I get the feeling that you are one of those typical "my town" Alpha Henry's that thinks they own the City, State, whatever. You lump all visitors into one group and look down upon them for pursing their enjoyment of life in "your" town. Then you behave with disgust and disdain towards them. You don't need to remind me to mind my manners, mind yours'. As I'm sure the mods will close this thread soon, I'll leave the last words to you. You seem the type that has to have the last say. Prove me wrong D/S.

Case......Rested! Mods, I am finished with this guy. No need to lock.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Well I drop at least $10,000 in Florida staying one month each year. Multiply that times a few hundred thousand and it has to help the economy.

[RetSgt7114]

@ hoppy poppy - Well that's good of you to know everything and everyone. I get the feeling that you are one of those typical "my town" Alpha Henry's that thinks they own the City, State, whatever. You lump all visitors into one group and look down upon them for pursing their enjoyment of life in "your" town. Then you behave with disgust and disdain towards them. You don't need to remind me to mind my manners, mind yours'. As I'm sure the mods will close this thread soon, I'll leave the last words to you. You seem the type that has to have the last say. Prove me wrong D/S.

[Dog_Folks]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Fl economy would collapse with out Snowbirds......just ask any retail business how their profits were in 2008-2010

Don't give us that old saw again. 2008-10 was just a down time for the whole country.

Just how do you think we merchants live during the EIGHT months that snowbirds are not here?

We appreciate the snowbirds and I never complained about extra traffic, long lines, etc. BUT we won't die without them.

Any snowbird that thinks that they are that important is sadly mistaken and welcome to take the nearest interstate north.

[Hoppypoppy]

RetSgt7114 wrote:
Well, the flaw in your argument is that being a snowbird doesn't bother me whereas being a full-time resident living in a snowbird state apparently does bother you. Enjoy the crowds.

Thank you. I get the feeling you may be one of which I speak. BTW, I love it here in AZ. Think I'll stay in spite of your kind. Remember to mind your manners....you are a visitor.