(Note: The following article focuses on Canadian RVing “snowbirds.” However, many U.S. citizens will also be interested because we’ve befriended our northern neighbors for many years as together we enjoy Florida’s wonderful winters.)
The allure of Florida’s sunny skies and warm winters has long drawn Canadians, especially snowbirds and RV enthusiasts, seeking an escape from harsh northern winters. However, a wave of uncertainty driven by escalating U.S.–Canada trade tensions and controversial policies has many Canadian property owners and RVers rethinking their plans to invest in or maintain winter homes in the Sunshine State.
U.S.–Canada relations
In recent months, tensions between the United States and Canada have intensified. U.S. tariff policies and rhetoric have disrupted our previously friendly, mutually beneficial relationship.
Canadian authorities and everyday citizens alike are reacting to a barrage of tariffs and regulatory changes that not only affect trade but also have personal and economic impacts on Canadians living or vacationing in the U.S. For example, many Canadian snowbirds are now listing their Florida properties and permanent RV sites for sale. They are also postponing next year’s travel plans amid fears of further policy shifts and economic fallout.
Rising costs and uncertainty
Florida has long been a top destination for Canadians seeking a warm winter retreat. However, the same factors that once made the state attractive—affordable real estate, favorable weather, and a welcoming culture—are now under pressure.
The imposition of tariffs and heightened regulatory scrutiny have led to increased operational costs. These include soaring homeowners’ association fees, increased campground rates, and higher insurance premiums.
Real estate agents in Florida are reporting an unprecedented surge in Canadian sellers, as property owners grow wary of long-term investments in an uncertain environment.
For RVers who often combine property ownership with seasonal travel, this shift presents a double-edged sword. On the one hand, many have enjoyed the mobility and freedom offered by RV living; on the other, the increased financial risks and potential complications from cross-border regulations now add an extra layer of stress to what was once a straightforward winter trip.
What this means for RVers
If you’re a Canadian RVer who has been considering investing in a Florida property or frequently spending winters RVing in the state, you might be facing tough decisions. Here are some key points to consider:
• Reassess long-term investments: With property values and ongoing costs in flux, it’s essential to evaluate whether maintaining a winter home or permanent RV site in Florida fits your long-term travel and financial plans. Many Canadian snowbirds are choosing to sell rather than risk further losses amid political and economic uncertainty.
• Travel flexibility: New immigration rules and potential tariffs can disrupt travel plans. Some Canadians have already canceled trips and switched to alternative destinations like Mexico or explored RV adventures closer to home.
• Stay informed: Keep a close eye on evolving trade policies and local market conditions. Reliable news outlets are closely tracking these developments, providing insights that can help you make informed decisions.
Practical tips for Canadian RVers
Navigating this uncertain landscape doesn’t mean you have to abandon your dream of a warm winter retreat. Consider these strategies to mitigate risks:
• Consult financial and real estate experts: Engage professionals with cross-border expertise. They can help you assess current market conditions, potential tax implications, and regulatory changes.
• Explore alternative arrangements: Instead of a full property investment, consider renting or using short-term arrangements. This flexibility allows you to enjoy the Florida lifestyle without the long-term financial commitment.
• Diversify your travel destinations: While Florida remains an attractive option, look into other warm-weather states or even domestic alternatives in Canada to avoid the worry and uncertainty.
• Monitor policy updates: Subscribe to trusted news sources and consider joining local RVer groups where members share firsthand updates about changes in travel regulations and real estate trends.
What will you do?
Whether you decide to hold on to your U.S. property or explore new horizons, taking proactive steps now can help ensure that your RVer lifestyle remains as free and fulfilling as ever.
We’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
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##RVT1204b
Either the Canadians will either come south for the winter or they won’t . Some will not come for financial reasons. Conversion to US dollars was a 40% loss of value from CN $ this past season.
BTW Canadians are spilt FL 40%, TX 30% , AZ 30%. FL gers mostly east coast. Ontario splits between FL/TX. MidwestCN mostly Texas and some to AZ. The Rio Grande Valley runs about 15 to 30% Canadians.
Thank you for the interesting stats, Billwbus. No matter what, we’re sorry to see current circumstances negatively affect our Canadian friends and the relationship between our countries. Take care. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Great comment Billwbus. Hopefully once the cdn’s are done with the upcoming Federal election, things will smooth out and actual negotiations can take place between our countries, without the grandstanding that is currently taking place between Carney and Poillievre. They are both fighting to be the tougher of the 2 in the cdn voters eyes. They can then join the 75 countries currently working to find a fair path forward. Probably get a line pass when ready.
In my estimation, cdn travel to USA will be 95% restored/normalized by the time they are ready to pack up the RV this fall. China is the real enemy.
Happy trails 😎 ✌️
China is not “the real enemy” the real enemy is within this nations borders. I have yet to hear anyone say who or what party started all this mess about moving factories offshore because labor and taxes were cheaper. Why can’t a certain party admit their wrongdoings in the past and stop this thumb sucking whining.
And here I thought you were a student of History, JB. WOW, was I ever wrong.
For the record, JB. China entered the WTO under Clinton. NAFTA…… you guessed it, ….Clinton.
To be clear, both parties supported this and all of us watched the gutting if the middle class while the wealthy watched portfolios grow at an exponential rate on Wall Street. It is simply time for someone with courage to implement policy that will rebuild our country for people with dirty hands, that truly built this country thru a strong middle class.
Happy trails 😎 ✌️
We can’t look in the past but focus on the future of how to get out of the current mess. And this is not the way.
The MAJORITY of American Patriots have learned A LOT from the past! ….particularly the last 4 years…and ARE now focused on the future!…and it is the brightest it has ever been! Mia you are welcome aboard! 😃💜
OMG! I’ve always thought you were just grumpy…JB! You have to kidding…right!?! WOW
I think it’s a bit soon to panic or whatever they are doing. I wouldn’t be selling out yet, and if they do, they will; they are grown-up folks. I hope they don’t all hate us. People complain that campgrounds are over full, now are they going to complain if there’s more chance to find a spot? I never go south, so maybe I don’t understand the attraction.
A Canadian RV’er here. We had a big trip planned for this summer…across the US from Seattle to a nice leisurely trip down the east coast to Florida to visit an Aunt and my Cousins. The tariffs, the dollar exchange (US money costs us 40% more), and the tightened border security do not bother me at all. We have postponed our trip due to hearing about several instances where Canadians travelling in the US have been accosted by people in parking lots, and told to: “go home”.
I snowbird and I have never seen or heard anyone being rude to Canadians
Yeah…. I’m not gonna say Stu is full of it but for sure, 100%, whoever told him that that is an actual thing, definitely is FOI. “Several instances”….. yeah, sure it is, happens everyday.
I can’t let that stand, Stu.
For real, do you really believe that Canadians are being “accosted” by Americans, in parking lots? Really? That’s pure crap. Not happening, period. Anyone who believes that is a loon….. unless of course…. the Canadians in question are driving a Tesla which is happening regardless of nationality. Other than that, they have zero to fear. The left wing loons are absolutely accosting people in Teslas but other than that, it is pure silliness to suggest that wearing hat with a maple leaf on it will get you accosted. Your friends or acquaintances are lying to you, period.
Thank you Lauren!
I am sorry that happened to you. Americans are also horribly rude to other Americans. The lack of decency here is shocking. It’s not safe here, save your money for happier times.
Mia, I travel all over the U.S. and the number of rude people to genuinely friendly people is a tiny fraction of folks. Perhaps your experience is from people mirroring you?
Rude people huh. Yup, Mia, agreed. Burning Teslas, terrorizing Jewish students at colleges, assassination attempts and now even more threats of the same, the calling of 1/2 the country racists and NAZIS. Yup Mia, some very rude people out there for sure.
Mia! What in the world are you talking about!?! Why are your comments so angry and hate-filled? Your comment only ADDS to what you are saying exists. How is that useful in making things better. Life is what YOU make it…not what someone else tells you it is!
“Hearing”…that’s why hearsay isn’t allowed in a court of law
I have several Canadian friends I associate with during the winter in south Texas. They all told me it was the $ stupid. That it has nothing to do with political policies. But unfortunately, some Canadians are using the political policies as an excuse because they don’t like Trump. I can vouch for that because I had a Canadian at our park tell me they almost didn’t come down this winter because they were so depressed that Trump won.
Some Canadians are smart to not like trump and his/their pathetic policies.
Thank you J B for verifying my comment.
Love it!
I agree with JB, but when I voted a thumbs up for his comment it increased the thumbs down instead.
Hi, mrpavet. The thumbs up and down shows the net votes. So when several votes overlap it can look weird. I would suspect that when you voted thumbs up, there were a couple voting thumbs down, which would show a net of one thumbs down vote. Have a good day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Divine intervention?
LOL. 👍👍👍
I agree BB, I am Canadian and have travelled throughout the US for years. Great places and great people. I am not heading to the US for a while and it has absolutely nothing to do with politics and everything to do with the value of the Canadian dollar. We just can’t get the best bang for our buck lately to enjoy our US travels to the best extent. Hopefully after the Canadian election at the end of the month, common sense will prevail from our government and political issues can get fixed quickly and our dollar will be worth more and we can enjoy US company once again.
Great post, Bill. And you are right that the value of the Canadian dollar is on the government and people running the country, not the U.S.
Thank you Bill T…I appreciate you sharing!
Thank you BBlocker for sharing your experience…I appreciate first-hand knowledge!
I understand Canadians are upset, but they need to direct their anger at their government. Trump asked Canada to secure the border, stop the trafficking of fentanyl, and agree to reciprocal tariffs. A reasonable demand that most countries are agreeing to. But rather than be thankful for all the years we’ve subsidized Canada, they now believe they’re entitled to continue abusing American taxpayers. I feel that the people of Canada will suffer under such misguided leadership. With Americans keeping more of their tax dollars, maybe more will be able to afford to buy the property Canadians will be selling, leaving Canadians “out in the cold”.
Hopefully you realize that in January a whole 20 milligrams of fentanyl crossed the border from Canada to the USA. If you don’t know how much 20 milligrams is it is 0.000705479 ounces. I think that is not the problem. The USA has been an import nation for a century and does not have the natural resources needed to accommodate our needs. The reliance on other countries will always be there.
And the illegals on the terrorist watch list that came to America thru Canada….. what is the acceptable number for that? At last count I believe it was 49.
I don’t blame the Canadians for not returning. Yes, some Trumpsters can be ignorant in their comments. Even some of our border security and TSA agents don’t deal with people diplomatically. Treat people respectfully and with dignity. The thumbs up and thumbs down don’t seem to be working right.
I take your post as very negative. Most “Trumpsters” as you so eloquently wrote, are intelligent and love our country. Our support of our current president is due to the fact that He and his administration also LOVE AMERICA and support our constitution. They want to uphold it. Not tear it down. A majority of us “Trumpsters” are Christian’s and would never be hateful to others.
Treat people with dignity and respect? Your side is burning privately owned vehicles. Your side is vandalizing private businesses. Your side is threatening Jewish students. Your side is cheering for murderers to be released onto our streets. Your side are blocking traffic. Your side are vandalizing art work, blocking traffic, calling for assassinations and infringing on article 2 powers thru the courts (and losing). Don’t give me the J-6 argument either. If that was a pure and true cause, why did the committee destroy all the files after they were done? You know, the “evidence”? All destroyed KGB style, at completion. Yes mrpavet, nothing like dignity, respect and rule of law.
Hi, mrpavet. The thumbs up and down show the net of votes. And there can be up and down votes coming in at the same time so sometimes it looks weird. Have a good day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
“Treat people respectfully and with dignity.” How about you, mrpavet, practice what you preach?
A prime example of fake news. There has been nothing this current administration has done or is going to do that affects Canadians and owning property in Florida. This writer might have talked to one real estate person who has a Canadian seller and is trying to make a story. If Canadians have an opinion on our current president, that’s their prerogative, but we don’t care what that opinion is. Doesn’t affect us or them!
My wife and I are full time Floridians and embarrassed for what the president has done to our strongest, longest and best allies. We love all of our Canadian friends that come here to visit for the winter. They are the friendliest and nicest people down here. They are the best! As a matter of fact, if Canadians quit coming down here to visit in the winter, we might just move back up north. Please forgive us and Elbows Up!
Buh bye!
Just like Leonard above Dane, your choice. As the Canadians leave, if they actually do, seeing their Southern option via RV is Niagara Falls, I’m sure more Americans will fill the void.
Diane, can you post the city/county this article is referring to? I have googled the subject and found nothing.
Hi, Bill. I’ve emailed your question to Gail Marsh, who wrote the piece, to see if she read/heard of any specific place this is referring to. I have a feeling it’s talking about Florida in general, as I’m pretty sure you know.🤔 Have a good day. 🙂 -Diane at RVtravel.com
Hi Bill, I was referring to Florida in general, because that’s where we spend most of our winter… escaping cold Missouri weather. We frequently visit both coasts of the state where campground owners and Canadian RVers alike have shared their feelings.
Safe travels to you!
As a Canadian who is still in Texas on my way home to Toronto after four months, I have only come across great Americans who are nothing short of wildly friendly to us! Thank you to all we have met!
I have cancelled our five month stay next winter in Palm Springs for one reason only. For us it is 100% due to the lack of respect for our sovereign nation and the threat, whether real or bluster of annexation of our country, and the 51st state nonsense. This is not how the leader of the free world should behave.
It has zero to do with tariffs, our dollars buying power, personal safety, or US border security.
Your choice, Leanard. But before you badmouth President Trump, perhaps you should take a look at your departing PM, Trudeau, and how he treated his citizens during the Ottawa truckers strike. Stallin and Lenin would have been very proud of their prodigy. Oh yeah, Canada needs to pony up their NATO funding to the agreed 3%, not depend on the U.S. to guard it from its neighbor, Russia.
I respect your opinion, but nowhere am I bad mouthing Trump. I merely point out that the most powerful person in the world should not be talking about annexing their friend and NATO ally (Canada). This person should also not talk of taking a sovereign nation by force (Greenland), removing all citizens from their country to turn it into a resort (Gaza), or take back a nation’s waterway (Panama Canal).
You make a terrific point that Canada has been negligent in our NATO commitments of 2% of our GDP. It is inexcusable. Personally I would like us to double our order of your amazing F-35’s, and maybe a nuclear submarine or two. Helps our defence commitments and lowers our trade imbalance.
As a Canadian trucker supporter and protester, I can vouch for your comments , Trudeau is a dangerous globalist puppet
Trudeau is no longer Prime Minister of Canada. Just like Biden is not the president of the USA. They are yesterday’s news.
Elbows up
🇨🇦
Won’t be long and the Canadian peso will go far in Mexico.
Sorry….I have no idea what you mean.
That’s the point. Trudeau was, unfortunately, our leader, not yours. He’s gone but it wasn’t really your business. It was ours. Except for when he impacts other countries, Trump is your business. Unfortunately, he sticks his beak where it doesn’t belong so that gives us the right to comment and object.
If you’re so upset Leonard, and standing on principle, why are you still in Texas 3 months after DT first called Der Trudeau, Governor Trudeau and first joked about Canada becoming the 51st state? A man of principle would have left months ago but alas, it seems the warmth has proven too great a magnetic force. See you next fall, Perhaps?
BTW, Greenland is not a sovereign nation. It is a territory of Denmark. Soon to be a territory of USA which polling in Greenland shows is not an unattractive idea in the eyes of Greenlanders.
Yes, I thought of going home early, but as I had already fully paid my RV sites for the year, we decided to stay as planned.
I am still principled, but not a fanatic. I wish you well in your travels!
Thank you my friend. I’ll be in S. Alberta and BC this summer and just like always, I will leave some green backs behind, drink a few Molson Canadians and eat some Imperial cheese.
If you get out that way, we can have that trade summit over a few cold ones and a shot of Crown Reserve.
My guess, this north/south trade issue gets resolved after your election and this centuries old friendship remains strong. Simply a lovers quarrel and some bilateral grandstanding.
Happy trails, Leonard. ✌️😎
Thanks, all the best to you!
I will be out that way summer of 2026.
Canadian travel to the U.S. ALWAYS drops off when the U.S. dollar is strong. It’s been that way for years.
It literally takes $300 CAD just to get $214 USD today yet we’re being told Canadians are going elsewhere because US citizens will have to pay more for imported goods? Seriously?
It doesn’t matter who you are, nobody wants to lose $30 for every $100 they spend.
The other inconvenient truth is the CAD has been trending downward since mid-2021 but hey, let’s blame it on tariffs that have yet to hit the consumer…..
Well, Gail, if the Canadians are planning on vacationing in Mexico instead of the States with their RVs, they still have to drive through; you guessed it the U.S. They probably will want to stop at gun shop in Texas before crossing the border into Mexico to stock up on firearms and ammo for their safety. Or, they can head to their southernmost hot spot destination, Niagara Falls, and spend a nice, tranquil, cold winter there.
I won’t be driving my RV from Canada to Mexico. If I vacation there, I will fly.
See ya next fall Leonard…. 🤣😅😂😅 I mean, you’re in Texas right this minute, correct? You will always be welcomed at my campfire. Always.
Much appreciated! I would enjoy having a beer with you and solving all of the world problems by beer 3 or 4!
Just spent 3 months in Florida and was treated well by every American while wearing my Canadian hat. Currency value has the biggest impact on travel and blame for this sits fully on our lousy lieberal government. Not Trump.
The writer also failed to mention that on many properties obtaining insurance has become very expensive or not possible at all because of hurricane risk.
You do a disservice to your subscribers by presenting your political opinions as fact.
Thank you Wayne! Sharing your own experience makes this the most valuable comment by far!
You have that right , they are lieberals
I have Canadian friends and as of now they’re done with traveling
They plan to quit Us and AZ AND JUST go to Mexico
Fly down and leave motor home in Canada
With unsure border and fuel costs it really spoils the trip to the unknown (will I get in, can I return?)
Scroll down and read Gary M’s.comment on the Canadian/US understanding-misunderstandings! He has it right – it should be the first thing you read in comments – then go back and read the rest!
Also, it is apparent a great number of readers watch and believe the main stream media bias reporting. I believe if you were to hear the rationale for Pres. Trumps joke about Canada being the 51st state and Greenland being a US territory or whatever status, is simply a matter of defense. We have a strong military presence in Alaska then the northern US border states. Alaska alone could not defend Canada or the US and Canadian forces, alone, could not defend themselves or the US.
…This is not to put down the Canadian forces – they are a strong force – but not able to defend alone without the US forces – any more than we would have been in WW II without them and others. We need to work together and Canada needs to pony up the money for defense and NATO as well. We can’t carry the bills for the world and now have to dig ourselves out of the mess which has been made from our spending habits! We also have a military base in Greenland – but no control of what would happen it it were invaded! We could defend the base – not the land mass! If it were part of the US – different story. Think about it!
The amount of ignorance and spewing of outright lies in so many of these comments is exactly why there are now those who feel empowered to cause harm to others for no other reason than a “political” agenda they have allowed to consume them. Read your history books people…we are tipping in the direction of past evils. It is NOT ok to simply believe something because you “heard” it!…and worse…to then act on it!
Disagree with KARA and you are ignorant and a liar?
So, what the heck are you trying to say?
What? For the last 4 years we all US and Canadian experienced soaring homeowners’ association fees, increased campground rates, and higher insurance premiums. This is not excusive to Canadians who visit the US. The US citizens still love the Canadian people. However, many US citizens do not like the Candian government and the direction that government has taken. Some of us do not like their gun policies, the way their government treated (and is still treating) their trucking protesters, and yes, we do not like the fact that many of our US goods are indeed tariffed going into Canada, yet Cananda goods face little trade restrictions when they are imported into the US. Ask a US auto worker
You are mistaken about tariffs. You’ve been lied to. Any tariffs that existed (and they were reciprocal) were the result of negotiations that resulted in the USMCA. They were agreed by both sides. For example, the US protected lumber and Canada protected dairy. Autos were tariff free and production was meant to reflect the size of the market in each country. Re the other things, many Canadians don’t like them either but that’s really our business, not yours. Just like many policies of your current government: many Canadians (and Americans) don’t like them but it’s your business to deal with. Also, add in the disrespect and threats to destroy or annex us. It’s indefensible.
This just isn’t true. Stop watching Fox and Presidential press briefings.
I’ll miss any Canadians that don’t travel south. Our neighbors and friends.
For what ever reason the facts are… there is a significant decrease in Canadians traveling to the USA. USA border cities are hurting. Palm Springs is adversely hurting from the lack of Canadians.
In March, the number of Canadians returning home by car from the U.S. fell nearly 32 per cent compared to March 2024, the third consecutive month of year-over-year declines and the steepest plunge since the pandemic, according to Statistics Canada. Return trips by air from the U.S. fell 13.5 per cent year-over-year.
Thank you for the article, Gail! Unfortunately, it likely precipitated a lot of virulent political rhetoric. I say “likely” because I refuse to read any of the comments; I don’t need or want polemics. I pity poor Diane who, of necessity, must wade through them. 🙁 We seem to be in a world where “wrong” has become loudly and relentlessly proclaimed to be “right.” Have a great week and safe travels!
Hi, Neal. Thanks for your sympathies. I’ve survived. There seems to be no middle ground in anything anymore. If someone disagrees with another person’s opinion, they’re obviously wrong and that’s just the way it is. Whatever happened to accepting others’ opinions and agreeing to disagree, instead of making a big issue out of everything. Such a sad state of affairs. But in spite of that, I hope you have a great day.🤗 –Diane
Every Saturday at Peace Arch Park, Surrey, B.C. and Blaine, Washington there is a demonstration that expresses our true friendship.
Watch Rally held with Canadians and Americans at border crossing as show of unity Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
Source: Global News
https://search.app/VaW2qAuasp3vP5cq9
Notwithstanding, we snowbirds individually have few alternatives other than to boycott. After 14 years times 5 months and touching on 48 states we refuse to cross into the US until Trump and his elected supporters are gone. We likely won’t even embark on a cruise that stops in an American port.
We are deeply saddened by this as when it ends we might be too old to resume US RVing.
People have friendships based on feelings…countries have partnerships based on negotiations. Americans have seen first-hand what happens to a country when the push is to base everything on feelings: loss of jobs, businesses shuttered, loss of home ownership, sky high prices on basic necessities, rural ghost towns, crime infested cities, high density housing in suburbs, depraved and insane people allowed to overwhelm common decency, attacks on the religious, destruction of families, children lacking basic education, destruction of meritocracy, a man can now even be a woman at the peril of women…and the list goes on. I am here to say American Patriots have had enough and now (cont below)
have Patriots in charge that are determined to right the ship and put our great nation back in the hands of the American people as it was intended by our Founding Fathers. It’s been a long time coming and this new “for the people” team isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and will be making America greater than it’s ever been! So go ahead a have you fuzzy feel good rallies laced with hatred…America’s best has work to do! 🇺🇸
…and it looks like a few Canadians “feel” the same… https://x.com/jillrteamxrp/status/1307525396766896140?s=46
My thoughts have been well documented here previously so no need to revisit them.
The facts are that flights, border crossings, and RV reservations to the US from Canada are on a steep decline. Will this make a huge difference to the US economy? Of course not, unless you are in the travel/hospitality business.
🇨🇦
We have Canadian friends who we see several times a year at the various dog trials we attend up and down the East coast. They are “truly offended and ready to cut out crossing the border” due to the “antics and lack of respect for the long term relationships” we share with them. What is being done and how it is being done is not how neighbors and friends behave.