Travel tips for snowbirds

Atlantic Canadians snowbirds need to do their homework before travelling south

Palm trees shade the road leading to a lively, sea-themed village and boardwalk, with shops and eateries spilling onto a pristine beach.

In the background, a striking orange sunset lights up Madeira Beach in Florida, where Audrey Noseworthy sinks her toes into the warm, white quartz sand and soaks in the scene.

“I first visited Florida in 2016. So, ever since I have been staying here for five months during the winter season in Canada, except for one winter during the COVID-19 lockdowns when the border closed,” says Noseworthy, 81.

There are plenty of other East Coast snowbirds perched along the shoreline of Madeira Beach, an 18-minute drive from Oasis Mobile Home Park in Largo, designed specifically for people aged 55 and older. The park is where Noseworthy stays for a portion of the year to escape the cold temperatures and snow of her hometown in Pouch Cove, N.L.

“I developed on my face an allergy to cold weather in 1987,” she said. “It became so bad that I had to wear a neoprene facemask and ski goggles to go outside.

“So, going south to a warmer climate was better for my health. Plus, I met a man in Newfoundland called Gus Smallwood. He travelled to Florida every winter.”

Noseworthy lived a quiet life after her husband’s death in 2012 and eventually decided to embrace the golden years and get out of her comfort zone.

“Gus and I enjoyed each other’s company, had a lot

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of things in common and became friends. He was also a widower. So, in summer 2016, he invited me to travel to Florida in his motorhome (which has separate beds). He had a seasonal home at Oasis Mobile Home Park, a hub for age-appropriate activities and lots of social interaction.”

The friendship blossomed at the park, which has around 100 mobile homes and many Canadian seasonal residents. Noseworthy said she feels a greater sense of community there than she does in her own hometown.

INSURING A GOOD TIME

Travel medical insurance from Nov. 14 to early April costs Noseworthy $2,000. Insurance premiums increase with age.

It is critical to have travel medical insurance eligible in the United States because the cost of care in a hospital can reach thousands of dollars a day.

“If you get sick in Florida, you can access great health care,” she said. “There’s no waiting around; you have experts, but that’s because you’re paying for it. And you must pay most things up front and then submit your receipts to claim insurance. I have an insurance card, but there are many hurdles when it comes to using it.”

When travelling to the United States, Noseworthy says to know in advance what the insurance company covers, especially the ins and outs for any pre-existing health conditions.

According to the Canadian government, there needs to be a written agreement with the insurance company for any pre-existing condition, so a claim is not made null or void under a pre-existing condition clause.

The insurance agreement must include a stability clause that covers the duration of the trip, including a compassion clause and a changeof-health clause, states the government site.

THE OTHER FACTORS

When it comes to everyday spending, the fluctuating value of the Canadian dollar is something that needs constant attention.

“For example, I filled up on $28.48 worth of gas in the United States, but on my Canadian bank statement, it was $39.25,” she said. “So, you must consider everything you purchase and how much this will translate into your home currency.”

Driving in the U.S. can be a challenge, too.

“I feel safe in the park, but I can’t say I feel the same when driving,” said Noseworthy. “The drivers are more aggressive than I’m used to, not just in Largo but all the bigger cities. … The driver behind you has no patience for that and will not just hoot but lean on the horn.