Retirement in the Frozen North: Snowbird Migration to Mesa

For many years, people have been traveling to warmspending a little extra time driving down to Arizona
climates to escape the cold damp winters whereand visiting friends on the way or even driving down
they live. Winter is wet, cold, and generally right inwith other couples.
the middle of flu season, making it a great time forOnce you get to Mesa for your warm weather
anyone with pre-existing health concerns to be in awinter there is a lot of exciting stuff to occupy your
warmer climate.time with. There are lots of areas for walking or if
Many people migrate seasonally; some people whoyou're adventurous you can go on trail rides. There is
live in cold or damp climates travel to warm climatesBroadway Palm Dinner theatre, Mesa Arts Centre,
in the winter for health reasons and some travel justMesa Ampitheatre, Mesa Symphony, and the
to escape the inconvenience that the winter weatherShakespeare Company for those who enjoy the arts.
brings. While some of these people work in positionsIf you enjoy learning new things, the Arizona
that allow them to travel and work from anywhere,Museum of Natural History and the Mesa Historical
most of these snowbirds are retired.Museum may be more your speed. For those who
Many people from cooler climates choose to come tolike golf there is the Riverview and Dobson Ranch
Mesa in the winter. While Mesa can get over 115F inGolf Courses. Mesa is also home to a variety of cigar
the summer time, it is a moderate 80F in the winter.bars and casinos. Mesa also has a fabulous variety of
Mesa also only has about 8 inches of rainfall all yearrestaurants, ranging from southwest to
long with about 300 sunny days annually.Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Italian, German, Polish
When snowbirds come to Mesa there are manycuisines.
options for accommodation. Some may find that aIf you're tired of spending your winters in the cold
home swap works well if they can find someoneand the damp with a box of tissues, try instead
who'd like to experience a snowy winter for acoming down to Mesa and spending it in our warm
change. Some people may find that renting a mobilewinter sunshine; your health may just thank you for
home or buying into a timeshare works well forit.
them. Most snowbirds seem to enjoy RVing best,