Florida
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E
23 Vacation and seasonal rentals are a common phenomenon for
Philadelphia snowbirds going south, so unless you’re a winter sports
enthusiast, what’s there to lose by moving toward a warmer climate?
Snowbirds occupy the Sunshine State usually three to four months
out of the year, the busiest months between January and March.

More than 1 million make the trek to invade Florida towns
— not to mention daily trips to Publix and Costco — raising the
state’s population during that season by 5 percent, which does not
include tourists, as reported by The Palm Beach Post.

Interestingly, the percentage of snowbirds coming to Florida
has decreased in recent years, reported JNS.org, but the amount of
people actually there has plateaued as many baby boomer snow-
birds eventually choose to permanently retire there.

Bernie Becker has vacationed in Boca Raton, Fla., with his wife,
Lennie, for at least 15 years. They head down in mid-December
and stay until mid-March.

They initially decided to head south for a number of reasons:
“The weather is one thing. A change of pace,” Bernie Becker said.

“It allows me to play golf in the wintertime. Meet different people.”
It doesn’t hurt either that their daughter and grandson now live
not too far in Naples, Fla.

They keep their routine simple: Whatever they usually do in
their native Penn Valley, they do the same in Boca, except for Ber-
nie Becker’s year-round love of golf.

“If the weather is good, you can sit by a pool — something you
can’t do here [in Philadelphia] in the wintertime,” he added. “It al-
lows you to continue outdoor life as opposed to being in the house.”
Spending time outdoors is important to the Beckers, but they also
24 NOVEMBER 23, 2017
make time for some local shows, movies and full-time Floridian friends.

“It keeps our social life active,” he said. “It’s more of an outdoor
life. … It’s just an easier and a more fun way to spend time.”
When they’re having that much fun, Philly turns into a distant
memory, though they always return home.

Palm Beach County, in which Boca lies, is one of the top winter
habitats for snowbirds, with roughly 145,000 who come to the area.

But there’s more to Florida than just the notoriously Jewish
Boca Raton or Miami Beach.

Snowbirds occupy
the Sunshine State usually
three to four months out of
the year, the busiest months
between January and March.

Many have opted for less-congested and cheaper locales —
with the same amount of palm trees — like the quiet beach havens
of Clearwater, Englewood, Bradenton or Venice, Fla.

Some cities, usually beach towns, are more popular for
sun-hungry snowbirds than others, as they offer more seasonal
rental properties. And if you would prefer an ocean view, there’s
no worry about hurricanes since the season ends Nov. 30, not to
mention a slight decrease in that awful humidity.

But if you’re not much of a beach person, Winter Park, Fla.,
offers a more relaxed environment inland. Just outside Orlando,
Winter Park provides a quiet, small-town vibe just a short drive
from neighboring theme parks, restaurants and shopping.

Orlando is rich in Jewish life as well — synagogues, JCCs, delis
— minutes from the burbs of Winter Park.

WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



Seniors playing shuffl eboard.

Huntstock/Thinkstock See FLORIDA, page 26
GIVE THE GIFT OF
A BARRACK EDUCATION.

We are an inclusive Jewish day school with a broad worldview. We welcome students from all facets
of observance. We offer an amazing middle school and incredible high school...where everyone fits.

Our kids are baseball players, history buffs, engineers,
mathletes, rising stars. We encourage all of them
to choose their own path. There’s a place for your family here. Come love where you learn.

GET TO KNOW JACK.

VISIT US AT AN OPEN HOUSE OR SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 • Friday, February 23, 2018
All Open Houses are 9:30am - Noon
272 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-922-2350 I admissions@jbha.org I jbha.org
Accredited by Pennsylvania Association for Independent Schools
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM © 2017 JBHA
WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 23, 2017
25