Key Takeaway
A recent study found that Englewood, Florida, is the most affordable place in the U.S. for “snowbirds” to escape the winter cold, with median nightly rates as low as $64.
For some people, dipping temperatures are an invitation to hit the slopes, while for others, it’s a cue to migrate south. However, if you’re planning to flee the cold season to a beach destination for weeks or months at a time, expenses can add up. Vacation rental website HomeToGo crunched home price data and determined the most budget-friendly destinations in the U.S. with median nightly costs of under $200. And the top spot goes to Englewood, Florida.
With average high temperatures in the mid-70s, the small Gulf of Mexico community located 30 miles south of Sarasota has plenty of sunshine and saltwater activities to offer “snowbirds.” Best of all? With median nightly rates at $64 per person, Englewood is easy on the wallet without compromising on the quality of your stay.
Englewood is home to Cedar Point Environmental Park along Lemon Bay, where pine flatwoods cover most of the park, and Oyster Creek Regional Park, where a boardwalk snakes through tidal mangroves, allowing visitors to enjoy bird-watching. However, keep in mind that some Charlotte County beaches, including those in Englewood, may be closed due to damage from Hurricanes Milton and Helen. You can see a complete and updated list of the parks and amenities available to the public at charlottecountyfl.org.
Related: I’ve Lived in Florida for 35 Years—These Are My Favorite Affordable Beach Vacations in the Sunshine State
Wauchula, in Central Florida, is second on HomeToGo’s list. The quaint town sits among orange groves along the banks of the Peace River and is a little over an hour away from Tampa. The median nightly rates at Wauchula stand at $76, and the average high winter temperature is 77 degrees.
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Sunset over a waterfront in Corpus Christi, Texas
Northwest Corpus Christi, Texas, snatched the third spot for the most affordable warm-weather destinations in the winter. HomeToGo describes it as a “quieter, laid-back side of the Sparkling City by the Sea” and a perfect base for exploring nearby beaches and attractions. The median nightly rate here is $92.
While nine of the top 10 places are in the continental U.S., one spot in Hawaii ranks fifth. That’s Honoka’a on the Big Island, known as the gateway to the Hāmākua Coast and the stunning Waipio Valley.
For travelers hoping to explore foreign cultures this winter, HomeToGo also listed the best destinations abroad. The most budget-friendly spot is the beautiful Mexican port city of Campeche along the Gulf of Mexico, with temperatures in the mid-80s and a median nightly rate of $54. Panama’s popular surf town, Santa Catalina, is second, where median rates are just $63 per night, and Colombia’s Santa Marta along the Caribbean coast is third.
You can see the complete ranking on hometogo.com.
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