Canadian Seasonal Migrants to the Sunbelt: Boon or Burden?

Abstract

Some literature raises reservations about the possibly adverse impact of migration of the elderly to the Sunbelt states. With data from a large sample of Canadian seasonal migrants, this article addresses the question of whether such migration is “boon or burden,” giving particular attention to demands on the health care system. International and seasonal migrants must be distinguished from seasonal migrants from within the United States and from permanent migrants. The health care and social service use of Canadian seasonal migrants while in Florida is low, and the nonpermanence of their seasonal migration pattern suggests that they will not “burden” the host society. Conversely, Canadian seasonal migrants benefit the host society through direct and secondary economic inputs. The nonmonetary impacts of seasonal migration are also examined.