Older Canadians in Florida. The social networks of international seasonal migrants.

Abstract

This study focuses on selected aspects of the social networks of older Canadians who are seasonal migrants to Florida, using a large respondent pool solicited from the readership of a newspaper serving the Canadian population in Florida. Findings such as the high rate of home ownership and the geographic stability of their Florida destination indicate the degree of integration in Florida. The respondent's contact with family members is relatively high while in Canada but considerably lower when in Florida. However, for a minority of respondents, a seasonal migration brings them closer to family members. This reduction of family contact is compensated by new friendships formed in the predominantly age-homogeneous residential environment of Florida. It is clear that older Canadians who winter in Florida have strong social networks when they are away from home.