Archived Articles

Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.

He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.

In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.

Global Real Estate Project
News Index

Directories
  Int'l Realty
  US Realty

Canada is the country with the second, after Russia, lowest medium annual temperature. Not surprising then that many Canadians are looking for milder climate to cope with the long winters; the current one for some provinces was exceptionally long and snowy. On the other hand, the strong economy and above all the strong Canadian dollar make possible for more and more Canadians to look for warm destinations, well beyond the traditional short or long-term vacations in Florida. Where the Canadians are moving after their retirement? Are there any preferred new destinations? Can the recent trend be reversed?

Canadian winters make part of the national folklore; it suffices to say that they are rather long, cold, snowy, full of winter blues making most people particularly warm to the idea of migrating with the birds. When no job or kids are here to ruin these plans, and where the bank account is sufficient to make these plans affordable, many Canadians don't even start asking questions 'if', they simple move with the birds before the first snow finds them unprepared. Where they prefer to pass the long winter season?

For some generations, traditionally, Florida has become a preferred destination for tens of thousands of Canadian 'snow birds'. The only proven place in the continental United States without winter has some important assets over its main 'rivals' even south, such as predictable political and economic environment, excellent medical services, and customer-friendly people. With cars as main means of transportation, many Canadians find Florida not only the best place to pass the winters, but also the closest place for the central and eastern Canadian provinces. Florida remains the main destination, but some recent developments have made other destinations look increasingly as equal competitors.

First, Florida in general isn't a cheap place it used to be. For the Canadian generation that started discovering Florida in the 1960s, the life there was cheaper than Toronto or Montreal by a huge margin. The only factor that prevented mass migration at that time was the role grandparents still played in Canadian society, a role of helpers for their children to raise their grandchildren. And grandchildren at that time, today would-be retiring baby-boomers, there were many. Today is a different story, there are many retirees wishing to move to Florida, so this state becomes increasingly overpopulated, and the prices accordingly go up, the current market correction being only an exception that proves the rule. This situation won't improve; the baby-boomers are only starting looking for 'golden age' destinations. Florida won't be able to accommodate all willing.

Second, in Canada, there are at least two additional factors that independently make people think about other destinations. One of them is the strong Canadian dollar combined with increasingly cheaper international transportation. For the last 6 years, the Canadian dollar has gained 50 percent of value against the U.S. dollar. This appreciation has no consequences for destinations where euro is king, but becomes increasingly significant almost anywhere else. The international transportation, the flight tickets, is also becoming increasingly cheaper. Going with a car from Toronto to Florida that includes some nights at road motels may not look so cheap now compared to just any flight to most exotic destinations.

So, the Canadians are moving increasingly beyond their traditional winter destination, Florida. But where are they moving? The Caribbean islands, Mexico and some other countries in Central America become increasingly attractive. South America is still lagging behind, but some destinations, e.g. Chile and Argentina, are becoming more popular. There is no proof that there is any significant additional interest in other continents as well. Can the recent trend be reversed? The answer is rather negative. Some of these new destinations may disappear for one reason or another, but unless a sudden economic quake disables the Canadian retirees of looking for milder winters, there will be no reversal in the trend.

--------------------

See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Canada.