A Québécois named Marc Carrière has cut his Florida trip short, feeling unwelcome due to divisive attitudes and former President Trump’s remarks. He noted a change in interactions with Americans and highlighted the rising cost of living as a significant concern. Carrière plans to avoid the U.S. for several years, opting instead for a summer vacation in Quebec. His experience reflects broader sentiments among Québécois Snowbirds regarding increasing expenses and perceived hostility in the U.S.
Québécois Snowbird Cuts Florida Trip Short
A Québécois, disheartened by certain Americans’ attitudes and the divisive statements made by former President Donald Trump, has opted to shorten his stay in Florida by several weeks.
Feeling Unwelcome and Disheartened
“There are several factors that contributed to our decision, but we felt increasingly unwelcome,” shared Marc Carrière. “I no longer felt at home there.”
For the first time since the onset of the pandemic, Carrière and his partner planned to spend part of their winter in Florida, alongside other Québécois. However, following Trump’s inauguration, Carrière noticed a shift in how Americans interacted with him during his daily outings.
“I was taken aback by the comments and actions of some individuals, but we shouldn’t generalize,” he noted, recalling his travels in the Fort Lauderdale area with his camper. “There’s a visible sociopolitical clash happening now.” He added, “Many Americans are already fed up with Trump.”
Carrière believes that the perception of foreigners in the U.S. has evolved over the years. As an example, he mentioned, “When you visit Walmart, they tend to bag 10 items separately. When I brought my reusable bags, I received strange looks. The same goes for when I speak English with my Québécois accent. These everyday gestures can become quite bothersome over time.”
The Impact of Inflation
Another significant concern for Carrière and his partner was the rising cost of living. “Inflation has hit hard in the southern U.S.,” he remarked. “A loaf of bread now costs $4 USD, while you can purchase two in Quebec for the equivalent price in Canadian dollars.” He expressed frustration, saying, “Every time Trump speaks, it affects the Canadian dollar, and that impacts us.”
According to Carrière, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for snowbirds to save money while spending their winter months in the Sunshine State. “It’s become too pricey, and I’m not getting the value I once did,” he stated.
The sentiments expressed by Carrière are echoed by many other Québécois Snowbirds, who are now more selective about where they allocate their funds. While gas and alcohol prices remain reasonable, grocery costs have surged, making discounts highly sought after.
As for his future plans, Carrière has decided not to return to the United States for several years, making this choice as he traveled back to Quebec. “The U.S. is off the table for now! We deserve better than to live under the shadow of a president’s threats,” he declared.
Next summer, he plans to enjoy his vacation by a lake in Outaouais, Quebec. Interestingly, he noted that several Americans inquired whether Quebec would be prepared to welcome tourists the following summer.