Every winter, just as the season rolls around, it always seems like a new flock of people is “flying down,” either vacationing in or moving to Miami for the winter months. These people are referred to as “snowbirds,” who flock to Miami to escape the colder northern climate for the complete opposite: a cool, sunny winter.
For many, Miami is the most desirable destination in the United States for the colder months. Miami has the sun that makes living in the winter feel like a vacation every day. The warm weather allows for constant winter beach days that are much more relaxing than the nonstop stream of snowy roads and freezing temperatures that northerners face. For many students at Miami Palmetto Senior High, relatives typically visit throughout the winter season, with many staying through the winter months.
Junior Alessandra Rodriguez’s grandmother, Lucy Hernandez, comes down to Miami during the winter to escape the cold.
“I come down every winter from Virginia, and going from the icy cold weather there to the warm Miami sun truly makes a huge difference,” Hernandez said.
While many flock here for their own benefit, the increase in people traveling here in the winter also impacts Miami’s local life. Snowbird season is known as high season for most companies, as this marks the period when they receive the most revenue and traffic, often becoming the busiest and most successful season for employees.
“We see winter as our company’s most successful season because that’s when travelers visit the hotel the most. This trend is true for many hospitality businesses in Miami,” Head Manager of Fontana at the Biltmore Hotel, Alberto Huerta said.
While snowbirds appear to have a positive effect on business, locals often have differing opinions. Many students at MPSH have expressed their feelings about snowbirds.
“I’m not a fan of snowbirds. They make everything more chaotic, and traffic ends up being hours [longer]. They just add chaos,” junior Natalie Wall said.
As the rest of the country braces for snow and freezing temperatures, Miami stands out as a warm sanctuary. Snowbirds, with their advantages and disadvantages, highlight what truly makes the city so unique during the winter months. For locals and visitors, Miami turns the coldest season into something brighter.
