ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA: Coastal Celebration


of Lights In America’s oldest city, the holidays


arrive with a glow that feels almost spiritual. Each year, St. Augustine’s Nights of


Lights begins with a lighting ceremony in the Plaza de la Constitución, when more than 3 million white bulbs flicker on across the historic district. The display runs nightly from mid-November


through early January, draping the city’s Spanish Colonial buildings, palm trees, and waterfront in soft light. Visitors can wander the cobblestone streets


on foot or take one of the trolley or boat tours that showcase the lights from every angle. Rooted in a Spanish tradition of placing candles


in windows to welcome the Holy Family, the festival has grown into one of the most admired Christmas light displays in the country.


SANTA CLAUS, INDIANA: Real North Pole


of the Midwest Each year, its post ofice receives


more than 400,000 letters to Santa, all of which are answered by a team of local volunteers.


The Santa Claus Museum preserves the story of how the town got its name, while Holiday


World, a nearby amusement park, adds light shows and themed rides throughout December. Families can also visit the 22-foot-tall Santa statue that watches over town, a reminder that a bit of whimsy never goes out of style.


who enjoy seeing different places without paying nightly rates.


MAKING NUMBERS WORK Many retirees find creative ways to cut costs. Sharing a rental with friends for overlapping months can lower expenses, for instance. If you do buy, consider renting your northern home while you’re gone. Even a short-term tenant can help offset your southern stay. Healthcare should be part of the financial equation, too. Medicare Advantage plans may not cover out-of-state providers, so confirm before you go.


Traditional Medicare paired with Medigap tends to offer the most flexibility if you travel widely. If you take prescriptions, request a 90-day refill or use a national pharmacy chain that makes transfers easy.


GOING GLOBAL Not all snowbirds stop at the U.S. border. Mexico, Costa Rica, and


Belize have become winter havens for Americans looking to stretch their retirement dollars further. All three offer warm climates, affordable rentals, and well-established


Belize


expat communities. Mexico’s temporary resident


visa allows Americans to stay up to four years and can lead to permanent residency. In Belize — where English is the oficial language — the Qualified Retired Persons Program grants long-term residency to anyone over 40 with a reliable monthly income. Costa Rica, long known for


its political stability and low cost of living, issues renewable one-year retiree visas to those with a modest pension or Social Security income. In Europe, Portugal’s Golden


Costa Rica


Visa program has drawn global attention by offering residency to foreigners who purchase property or make a qualifying investment. It’s a bigger commitment,


but it can open doors to eventual European Union citizenship. Snowbirding today isn’t just about fleeing cold weather. It’s a chance to design a lifestyle that balances comfort, connection, and financial sense. With smart planning, you


can trade shoveling snow for sunshine — and maybe even make money while doing it.


Portugal


DECEMBER 2025 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 91


©ISTOCK


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