10 US Cities for Snowbirds: Here’s How Much Homes Cost in Each

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Whether you’re retired or you’re able to work remotely, you may want to move south in the winter to avoid the snow and cold in the northern part of the U.S. Florida often springs to mind as the preferred destination of snowbirds, but warm weather seekers land in other states too.

Here are 10 popular U.S. cities for snowbirds, and how much it costs to purchase a home in each.

Slidell, Louisiana

Slidell features a historic downtown area with shopping, dining and museums. It’s also not far from New Orleans – you can be in the Big Easy in less than an hour.

Of the homes sold in Slidell in the past 12 months, the average price was $247,905, slightly down from a year ago. It’s a buyer’s market, and bargains can be found.

Lake Wales, Florida

Lake Wales might fit the bill if ocean beaches aren’t your thing. You can still go fishing, boating, and swimming in the lake. The town also has Bok Tower Gardens, a large garden and bird sanctuary.

Homes in Lake Wales are more affordable than those in oceanside Florida communities. The average selling price over the past 12 months is $250,000, down $25,000 over the prior year.

Mesquite, Nevada

Home to resorts, spas, and golf courses, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation all winter long in Mesquite. The warm, dry climate and the beautiful desert and mountain landscape make this a snowbird’s paradise.

Mesquite is a buyer’s market for homes. The average selling price in the past year is $355,000, down $10,000 from the previous year.

Vero Beach, Florida

Vero Beach has more to recommend than its beautiful beaches, like many golf courses and the McKee Botanical Garden. On a rare rainy day, the local art galleries, shops, antique stores, and restaurants keep residents busy.

In Vero Beach, the average price for homes sold in the past year is $375,037, up 8.7% from a year ago. According to Rocket Homes, despite the increase, Vero Beach is still a buyer’s market.

Apache Junction, Arizona

Arizona’s popularity among snowbirds is on the rise, and for good reason. The warm, dry climate is beautiful, and the nearby desert offers lots of outdoor recreational activities. If you live or stay in Apache Junction, you’re not far from larger cities like Mesa and Scottsdale.

Apache Junction homes that sold in the past 12 months went for an average of $387,687, virtually unchanged from the prior year. The town is also home to dozens of RV parks.

Fairhope, Alabama

Outdoor enthusiasts will want to consider Fairhope, which has many hiking and biking trails and beaches along Mobile Bay. The North Beach Park Tree Trail boasts over 400 tree species.

Fairhope’s average home selling price over the past 12 months was $470,735, down 4.8% from the prior year.

Venice, Florida

Venice boasts beaches, golf courses, and lots of other outdoor activities and has a year-round climate to support them. There’s also culture, entertainment, and beautiful historic buildings in the downtown area.

The median selling price for a home in Venice for the last 12 months is $473,569, down 2.4% from a year ago, according to Rocket Homes. Venice is a buyer’s market.

Mission, Texas

Mission isn’t a beach town, but it has mild weather and low precipitation, even in winter. Nature lovers will enjoy the World Birding Center and the National Butterfly Center.

The average selling price for a home in Mission over the past year is $510,990. Mission is also home to over 30 RV parks, so you may not need to buy a home if you want to bring your own!

Indio, California

If you prefer the West Coast and don’t care about rain, Indio may be your snowbird haven. Indio is known as the City of Festivals so that culture vultures will get their fix of live music and theater.

In the past 12 months, Indio’s average home selling price has been $529,495, down 3.4% from last year. Indio is a buyer’s market.

Naples, Florida

Naples has been a snowbird destination for generations, the Gulf Coast’s crown jewel. Known as the world’s golf capital, it also has gorgeous beaches, culture and designer shops.

The luxury of Naples doesn’t come cheap, however. The average price of the homes sold in Naples over the past 12 months is $625,939, $75,000 higher than the previous year. Even so, it’s still a buyer’s market in Naples.

These communities cater to snowbirds flocking to warm winter climates, making them great choices for those looking to escape the cold. No matter your budget, you can find a home where you can enjoy mild winter weather.

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