Key Takeaways
- Plan and pack for an extended stay. Prepare for changing winter temperatures, decide which household and hobby items to bring, and make sure your important personal, financial, medical, and pet documents are readily accessible during the trip.
- Coordinate travel and essential services in advance. Arrange medical care and prescriptions, prepare your pets, forward your mail, and decide whether to drive or ship your vehicle to your winter home.
- Prepare your primary home for an extended absence. Take steps to protect your house from freezing temperatures, water damage, and potential intruders. Arrange for snow removal and ask trusted neighbors to keep an eye on the property.
Heading south for winter? Before you break out your sunglasses and cabana wear, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to prepare for the trip. From packing your belongings to coordinating logistics and medical care, this short guide will walk you through each one, to help you get the most from your time in the sun.
Pack for the Weather
Not every day in the Sunbelt is warm and sunny, especially during winter. While highs typically reach into the mid-to-upper 70s, morning and evening temperatures can fall below 50°F in some areas. Even in Florida, sudden cold fronts sometimes push temperatures below 40°F! With that in mind, you’ll want to bring some cardigans, sweaters, pullovers, and jackets in addition to your shorts, polos, and leggings, so you can layer appropriately when conditions change.
Protect Your Hobby Equipment
Recreation items (e.g. golf clubs, camera equipment, fishing gear) often require specialized packaging to survive the trip south. They’re not only valuable, but their unusual shapes and delicate materials often make them vulnerable to damage, particularly when exposed to the bumps and jolts that occur during a move.
While packing equipment, accessories, and supplies doesn’t require any special training, the number of materials you need to purchase can make the task long and troublesome. To save time, hobbyists often reach out to full-service movers for help. They have a full range of boxes and packing materials, capable of handling practically any item in your home. They can even pack and prepare your equipment for you!
Take Your Important Documents with You
While you won’t be traveling overseas, there is still a lot of important paperwork you might want to have on hand while you’re living in your second home. This includes:
- Identification. Driver’s license, passport, identification card
- Medical Records. Prescriptions, doctor’s contact information, health insurance and medicare cards
- Insurance Documents. Car, travel, and rental or homeowners policies
- Financial Documents. Credit cards, tax documents, financial advisor’s contact information
- Legal Documents. Power of attorney, advance healthcare directives, emergency contact information
- Pet Paperwork. Vaccination records, microchip data, license information
Because of the sensitive nature of these documents, they need to be kept with you at all times. Many of them can be stored digitally on your phone or online folder, where they can be accessed at any time.
Prepare Your Kitchen Supplies
Some snowbirds purchase a complete set of kitchen appliances for their winter home. Others prefer to bring everything with them, from their espresso machine down to their spatulas and cutting boards. More often, people purchase a few select items for their second home and only transport stuff that’s easy to ship: pots, saucepans, Dutch ovens, baking sheets, etc.
This combined approach is a great way to save money without giving up the convenience of cooking at home. After packing up your clothes and hobby equipment, take a moment to go through your kitchen and decide what to take with you and what you can afford to leave behind.
Coordinate Medical Care
Medicare and private health insurance normally operate through local networks, so you’ll need to contact them before you leave to find out where you can receive lab work, routine care, and specialist treatment while you’re away.
Visit your local doctor as well, to refill your medication and discuss how prescriptions are handled across state lines. It may be a good idea to request a slightly longer supply, to ensure you’re covered during the move south. Finally, research the pharmacies near your second home, to locate the closest one that will accept your insurance. Choosing a national pharmacy chain may simplify the process.
Get Your Pet Ready for the Journey
If you own a pet, take them to the vet and make sure their vaccinations are up to date. If your pet is taking any medication, make sure you have enough for the trip and know where you can get it refilled while you’re away. Depending on your destination, you may also need to secure a health certificate as well.
When you get back home, clean and prepare their travel crate. Lay down towels or absorbent pads, attach their food and water dishes, and add labels indicating the crate’s upside position, if you’re traveling by air. Most states don’t require you to relicense your pets if you’re staying for six months or less, but some communities have different guidelines for their residents so double check before you leave.
Arrange Auto Transportation
Renting a car for 4-6 months is expensive. What’s more, taxi and rideshare services are limited in low-density communities, which is why most snowbirds choose to take their cars with them for the season. There are two options:
- Driving. Driving your own car gives you control over your schedule but often takes several days. The cost of gas, hotels, and food can add up more quickly than you anticipate. Weather and highway conditions can also slow the journey, leaving drivers tired and stiff when they arrive.
- Shipping. Shipping your car saves time, reduces wear and tear on the vehicle, and lets you avoid the long, exhausting drive south. Instead of spending 3-4 days on the road, snowbirds can fly to their home and take possession of their car when it’s delivered to their door.
Most full-service movers ship cars as well as household goods. Book your trip at least two weeks in advance to secure your preferred date and pick-up time.
Forward Your Mail
The U.S. Postal Service will forward your mail for up to a year. Submit the request by filling out a form at your local post office or by visiting the official USPS Change of Address Page. Enter your old address, new address, and your forwarding date. After indicating whether the change is permanent or temporary, you’ll be asked to pay a small verification fee and receive a confirmation code you can use to alter the request later.
Keep Your Home Safe
Leaving your home empty for several months can lead to problems if you’re not careful. To minimize the risk:
- Keep the Heat On. Set your thermostat to 55°F to prevent your pipes from freezing.
- Shut Off the Water. To minimize the risk of leaks and flooding.
- Unplug Your Refrigerator. To reduce your energy bills. Clean, defrost, and empty it first.
- Clean Your Gutters. To prevent water and ice from building up and damaging your roof.
- Install a Chimney Guard. To keep birds and rodents from entering your home.
- Check Doors and Windows. Make sure all the locks and catches work.
- Set Up a Light Timer. Turning the lights on at varied times throughout the day helps ward off intruders by making it appear as if someone’s home.
- Hire a Snow Removal Service. If you live in a snowy climate, hire a company to clear your driveway and walkways.
Before you go, tell your neighbors that you’ll be out of town for a few months and ask them to keep an eye on your home. Make sure they have your contact information so they can get hold of you in case of an emergency or if they notice anything suspicious.
Hire a Moving Service
Heading south for winter might feel like a vacation, but it involves far more logistics and coordination than a simple getaway. A small shipment service like North American’s Blue Express can help you manage the transition between your first and second homes.
We combine the convenience of a container service with the benefits of a long-distance move to get your belongings where they need to, safe and on time. Our professional crew handles the heavy lifting, ensuring everything is securely packed for the journey, leaving you free to focus on your destination and the good times ahead.
North American Moving Services
North American Van Lines has been helping people relocate for almost a century. Whether you’re moving permanently or temporarily, our full-service teams help ensure your belongings are packed, shipped, and delivered safely. Skilled, experienced, and professional, our movers help you every step of the way, with a dedicated point of contact to keep you informed and up to date throughout the process. Contact us today for a free quote!