After a little over one month of snowbirding, I have begun a mental list of the things I like and the things I don’t like about a winter escape. In no particular order, here are some of my observations pro and con.

The Pros

  • Better weather. I probably don’t have to elaborate on this. Days filled with sunshine and warmth feel much better than days filled with gray and cold. And snow.
  • A new location to explore. This has been a lot of fun. Living and experiencing a completely different environment has stimulated my curiosity as I’ve been exploring my new surroundings. Sierra Vista is quite a nice little city, and so different from Dunkirk. It’s a welcome change.
  • The desert. I find I like the desert landscape. It’s quite different from the forests and fields of home, and because of that, it evokes different emotions and awarenesses.
  • The general vibe. I have not had too much interaction with the locals, but I have definitely gotten the sense that people here are a little more relaxed about life in general. At least here, people do not drive like maniacs. I have seen surprisingly little evidence of MAGA influence here. There is some, but somehow I don’t sense it as being rabid. When we’ve told people we’re from NY, no one has made the slightest comment about that.
  • At least here, there is little evidence of a huge influx of snowbirds. I’ve not seen very many out-of-state plates in my drives around the area, and only one from Canada (Quebec). Most out-of-state plates are from west of the Mississippi. While SV’s website has a welcome section for snowbirds, I don’t get the sense that they are all that interested in attracting more than they have. The area does attract birders, however, as it’s a significant region for migration of many bird species.

The Cons

  • Homesickness. I do miss my own home. This AirBnB is wonderful and the host has been great, but nothing beats sleeping in your own bed.
  • The desert. Yes, I know I mentioned it as a pro, but it’s also a con. Everything in the desert is out to kill you. The cacti, the loose rocks, the sharp edges of plants and shrubs, reptiles, the heat and lack of water - it’s a pretty hostile environment all around. The small trip I took out on BLM and state land with my Trail Rider allowed me to experience this firsthand. That’s another post for a different day.
  • Being a blue non-Christian dot in a red God-fearing state. This is just something I’ve felt internally, that somehow at some point I am going to get exposed. On two occasions I’ve gotten into short conversations where God has come into the discussion. I smile and nod my head in an attempt to be non-committal. And I should point out these conversations were not attempt to evangelize; just the insertion of God into ordinary matters all the time.
  • Immigration issues. We’ve had to pass through three Border Patrol checkpoints since our time here, and the presence of Border Patrol vehicles is significant. I should point out that there seems to be no significant problem concerning immigration here, but the fact is that the border is about 15 miles to the south. What is really ironic is that, because Dunkirk borders on Lake Erie, there is Border Patrol presence at home as well. But you don’t think about it at home the same way you think about it here.
  • The expense. I have a hard time spending money, especially on myself. My sense of the direction of the economy is such that I am trying to save as much money as I possibly can to pass on to my children, who will not have all the economic benefits I had during my working career and retirement. Snowbirding seems to be a frivolous expense, and deep down in my psyche I believe I should be able to handle and survive winter at home. There is also a certain sense of guilt attached to it, as it feels like a privilege I don’t deserve to have, or that others deserve to have as much as I. It’s a little bit difficult still to get rid of that Catholic guilt. I’m not good at having fun.
  • Hiding it from friends and colleagues back home. This winter has been brutal back home, and we’ve made a point of not mentioning the weather here at all when we talk to or message them.

So am I enjoying myself? On the whole, yes. I have to acknowledge that the improvement in my SAD is real. I have to acknowledge that living in a nicer city with a delightful winter climate is pretty sweet. If circumstances would allow it I probably could live here full-time. In fact, I’d love to do the reverse - live here full time and summer in WNY. Right now I am thinking this might be a one-time deal, but who knows? Maybe Florida next year to see what that’s like.

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