For Florida snowbirds, retirees who head south to escape cold weather, winter rentals in Florida offer a variety of lifestyle options without the financial responsibility of owning a second home. Regardless of where you might want to set down roots, seasonal Florida rentals allow you to escape the brutality of northern winters.
Snowbird Rentals With a Taste of Island Life
Island life is unique and laid back. When booking an island rental, always check whether the island has a causeway to the mainland. Otherwise, you may find yourself stranded waiting for a ferry to take you on or off the island. Popular island getaways include:
Boca Grande
Located on Gasparilla Island halfway between Sarasota and Ft. Myers, the quaint village of Boca Grande features almost seven miles of pristine white sand beaches. Known as the "Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World," Boca Grande is also a recreational boating and sailing mecca.
Vacation Rentals from HomeAway is good booking site for snowbird rentals in Boca Grande. The parent agency, HomeAway has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. In addition to desired dates, HomeAway allows users to enter a number of search parameters including
- Price range
- Number of bedrooms
- Pet accommodations
- Specific amenities
Once you have narrowed your selections down, click on individual properties for photos and additional information, including renter reviews for that unit. Rates vary based on the size of your rental and the month of the season.
Anna Maria Island
Known for its sugar-white sand beaches, Anna Maria Island has much more than fun in the sun to offer. Art galleries, museums, aquariums, shopping, and nature parks abound. You can even take in a minor league baseball, indoor football, or professional hockey game.
Like HomeAway, Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) has a top A+ rating from the BBB. The Anna Maria Island VRBO website features almost 1,000 rental units, providing snowbirds with a wide variety of accommodations from which to choose. The VRBO sites feature search parameters similar to those of HomeAway. While rates will vary based on the time during the season you want to go, and the size of your rental, you can expect to pay between one and two thousand per month.
Amelia Island
Amelia Island's Victorian mansions, shopping district, golfing, and quaint seaport village, complete with a town trolley, all provide memories galore for visitors to a destination that is still only 30 minutes away from Jacksonville International Airport. HomeAway: Amelia Island presents rentals in HomeAway's BBB top-rated familiar easy-to-use search setting.
St. George
Just off North Florida's Gulf Coast lies 28-mile-long St. George Island. Consistently rated one of the top beaches in the U.S., St. George also offers some of the best fishing anywhere and some of the most amazing seafood restaurants in the south. Snowbirds have their choice of everything from beach cottages to homes.
Resort Vacation Properties of St. George Island has a top A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, as well as accreditation from that organization. Although searching is a little more complicated than some other sites, Resort Vacation Properties allows users to input a wide variety of parameters, including prices.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands
A unique feature of these islands is their mostly east-west orientation, resulting in less beach erosion. Island activities include golf, shopping, dining in one-of-a-kind seafood restaurants, and incredible opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
HomeAway's Vacation Rentals in Sanibel Island, with an A+ rating by the BBB provides an excellent place to begin your search for a snowbird rental on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Rental rates reflect the exclusive nature of the area.
Florida Keys
Start your exploration with the Lower Florida Keys and from there check out Key Largo, Key West, the Islands of Marathon, and Islamorada to provide a full picture. From the quiet solitude of the Lower Keys to the beaches of Marathon, to the exciting sport fishing off Islamorada, the keys have something for everyone. For accommodations, go to Snowbird Seeker to check out the properties they have available for seasonal rental in the Lower Florida Keys. You can also try Key West Vacation Rentals for information and rates on the amazing homes and condos specifically in Key West.
Snowbird Seasonal Rentals on Florida's East Coast
Florida is a long state and the east coast offers plenty of hot spots for Florida snowbirds. Rentals in these cities are popular.
Miami
Whether you plan to stay in Greater Miami or Miami Beach, you should know this part of Florida is not secluded. For snowbirds who want to be near the action, however, the Miami area may be your cup of tea. It has art, culture, professional sports and all the accouterments of big city life, plus warm winter temperatures. In an area as dense as Miami, stick with a trusted, BBB top rated national rental agency like HomeAway.
Daytona Beach
Whether you are a NASCAR fan or just seeking sunshine in the winter, Daytona Beach has something for you and your fellow snowbirds. Best known for its beaches and for motorsports, the area has plenty of rental offerings. Start your search with BBB top-rated VRBO: Daytona Beach.
Ft. Lauderdale
Named after actual forts built during the Second Seminole War, Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the sunshine state. The city features an intricate canal system that gives it the name, "Venice of America." Various options for vacation rentals in Fort Lauderdale are available on the Airbnb website.
West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, the oldest large city in South Florida, was incorporated two years before Miami. The area has a tropical rainforest climate with winter temperatures typically above 65 °F. Accommodations in West Palm Beach can be booked through Vacation Rentals West Palm Beach.
South Beach
South Beach, sometimes called SoBe, is actually a neighborhood in the Miami Beach area of Florida. As one of the first areas of Miami Beach to be developed, South Beach has a long and storied history. South Beach seems less crowded than Miami Beach. Check HomeAway South Beach for rentals.
Jacksonville
Visitors to Jacksonville will not be surprised to find out it is the largest city in Florida. Centered on the banks of the St. Johns River, the city of Jacksonville lies just 25 miles south of the Georgia border. Airbnb offers some unique accommodations in Jacksonville.
Renting in Florida for the Winter on the West Coast
Along with the islands mentioned above, many people enjoy the west coast of Florida, also known as the Gulf side, because it tends to draw less of the spring break crowd. Favorite places for senior snowbirds to look for rentals include:
Tampa
In addition to popular tourist attractions like Busch Gardens, Tampa has a lot of scenery, including the Gulf of Mexico as a backdrop. Finding a place to stay in Tampa is not hard. Check out Tampa Vacation Rentals, part of the Vacation Home Rentals network, which has a BBB A+ rating. Search parameters are easy to set and intuitive to use.
Sarasota
South of Tampa Bay lays the city of Sarasota, an area renowned for its culture, as well as beaches and resorts. Snowbirds gather in Sarasota every year, many renting accommodations from Vacation Home Rentals Sarasota, which is part of the Vacation Home Rentals network. A one bedroom condominium lists for $2,200 to $2,400 per month.
Naples
Based on its proximity to the Everglades, Naples is a popular destination for ecotourism. Be advised - Naples is a small but pricey city with a high concentration of millionaires. South Bay Realty has many monthly rentals to choose from in a wide range of prices as well.
Ft. Myers
Fort Myers is the gateway to Southwest Florida, which serves as a major tourist destination. Get information about accommodations at Vacation Home Rentals where rental rates for a one bedroom, "minutes to the beach" condominium range from $1,250 to $1,450 per month.
Venice
Known for its large snowbird population, Venice features golf, fishing, shopping, and a host of other activities popular with seniors. Rental properties, information and rates are available at American Realty of Venice.
Spring Hill
Founded in 1967, Spring Hill is a relatively new community in Hernando County, Florida. Only 35 miles from Tampa, the community is best known for lower property values, quiet streets, and less crime than some larger municipalities. Snowbird rental information is available at HomeAway's Vacation Rentals.
Finding 55+ Community Winter Rentals in Florida
There are a number of ways to find 55+ communities that have short-term winter rentals in Florida. The following are a few options:
55 Community Guide
The 55 Community Guide is a great resource to find rentals in 55+ communities. You are able to search the listings in your preferred location for individual homes, apartments and condos located in 55+ retirement communities and active adult communities.
The Snowbird Company
The Snowbird Company website has condo and beach home rental listings in various cities in Florida. The website is specifically geared to help snowbirds find communities and resorts that are available for winter and in their specific price range.
Best Guide Retirement Communities
The Best Guide Retirement Communities website offers plenty of options for winter rentals. You will be able to navigate through their website to find a community that has the amenities you're looking for in the city of your choice.
Affordable Winter Monthly Rentals in Florida
There are winter rentals that are on the more affordable side as well. A few of these options include:
Winter Rentals in Florida for Under $1000 a Month
The following are a few examples of snowbird rental deals for under $1000 a month:
- Golden Pond Village in Ocala, Florida offers furnished cottages in a forest setting for snowbirds to rent for about $475 a month. It is a 1-bedroom and has a murphy bed in the living room for guests. They have planned events and activities, shuffleboard, bingo, karaoke, and more.
- Village of La Casa Del Sol is located in Davenport which is not far from Orlando and Tampa. They offer cottage rentals in a small, friendly and active 55+ community. They have a pool, shuffleboard, horseshoes and many activities to participate in. The pricing starts at around $750 a month.
- Lady Lake Mobile Home Park is a 55+ community for active adults located in Lady Lake, Florida. There are 1 and 2-bedroom cottages and cabins available (furnished and unfurnished) starting at around $595 a month.
Winter Rentals in Florida for Under $2000 a Month
The following are a few examples of winter rental options available for under $2000 a month:
- Rolling Greens Village is located in Ocala, Florida. It is a resort-style, community setting with an endless list of amenities such as a golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts, a dog park, a community center and an activities calendar. These manufactured homes range in price from about $1100 to $1900 a month.
- The Resorts of Pelican Beach is a top-rated location for snowbirds located in Destin, Florida. Fully furnished condos are available with restaurants, shops and entertainment nearby. There are plenty of activities to participate in such as golf, water aerobics, tennis, shuffleboard, bingo and much more. The condos range in price from around $1350 to $1660 a month.
- Snowbird Condo has listings in various Florida cities for monthly rentals for snowbirds. A 2-bedroom condo on their website is listed at about $1985 a month and is located in Pensacola. There is a private balcony that has views of the bay and beach. Resort amenities are also included.
Snowbird Tips for Saving Money
Rental accommodations exist to suit any budget, but keep in mind that location and demand help consistently drive the cost of snowbird rentals. There are a few ways to save a bit of money on your rental if you are less picky about your location and proximity to the beach.
Stay Further From the Beach
The closer you are to the water, the higher the rates tend to be. Whether a rental unit has a view of the water can make a difference in price, and one that is located directly on the beach will garner higher rent. For the most affordable prices, an interior rental a couple of blocks from the beach still offers respite from cold winter weather, and the beach is often just a short walk or drive away.
Stay Longer
The cost of Florida snowbird rentals is somewhat driven by demand as well as location. Sometimes a discount is offered for a stay of a month or longer, and if a discount isn't offered upfront, it never hurts to ask. However, in some snowbird markets, a month is considered a short stay since other guests book two to four months at a time.
Stay During the 'Off' Season
When you stay in Florida can make a difference in how much you pay. Rates generally tend to be cheaper in the fall months, and then they rise steadily throughout the winter. Peak rates usually coincide with spring break since a lot of families are looking to get away from old man winter as well.
Book Early
Due to Florida's popularity as a snowbird destination, many guests put in a request for their desired dates for the following year before they head home each year. While most rental agencies don't book that far in advance, they do often accept requests. Once they have the following year's rates established, returning guests who have requested specific dates are often given priority over first-time renters. Talk to your rental agent as soon as you know the dates you hope to spend under the sunny Florida skies.
Rental Insurance
Rental agencies often expect winter rentals to be paid in full six weeks or more before your arrival date. Be sure to check refund policies. When money is only refunded if the rental is re-booked, it is a good idea to look into rental insurance to cover any unexpected circumstances. Rental insurance is usually a percentage of the amount you owe for your stay. It but often covers reimbursement if you can't make it due to a medical emergency and may provide additional coverage during your stay.
Enjoying Florida Life
Regardless of where you go in Florida, and for how long, escaping to the beaches and palm trees of the Sunshine State is an excellent way to make a northern winter shorter, and, therefore, more bearable.
