B
ritish transplant Jonathan Montgomery, 61, had had enough of Alaska's harsh winters after 38 years living in the state. So, he decided to become a snowbird and split his time between warmer climates.

    "I view my life purpose as being where the bad weather is not," Montgomery says. He spends six months a year in Anchorage, AK, enjoying outdoor activities, and the other six months in Bali and New Zealand. During his Alaskan residency, he collects an annual dividend from the Alaska Permanent Fund, which pays out to every resident from oil and mining revenues.

    Last year, Montgomery's share came out to $1,700, and it has been known to climb as high as nearly $3,300. In Bali, he stays in a guesthouse for $25 a day, which includes breakfast. Meanwhile, the rent income from his house in Anchorage comes out to $110 per day.

    Montgomery's day in Bali begins with yoga at 7 a.m., followed by a workout in an air-conditioned gym. He enjoys an hour-long Balinese massage for just $20 in the evenings. "During my working career in Alaska, I never really enjoyed my winters," he admits. "Now, I totally love my winters."

    Montgomery has been snowbirding for 15 years and has settled into a routine of visiting his favorite spots, including Bali and New Zealand's South Island. He keeps an old van in a friend's yard in New Zealand and spends two to three months there each year.

    "I typically go to New Zealand for two to three months per year," he explains. "It's a lot like Alaska, but when it's winter in Alaska, it's summer in New Zealand." Montgomery loves the peace of hiking through the woods without worrying about becoming an alpha predator's meal.

    Montgomery views Bali as his true home away from home and a convenient travel hub for exploring other destinations. This spring, he traveled to Nepal before flying back to Anchorage in late April. "This will be my 15th year of snowbirding, and I totally love it," he says.

    Originally from England, Montgomery moved to Alaska in the late 1980s to attend graduate school. He fell in love with Alaska's wild spaces but not its harsh winter weather. After retiring at 46, he jumped at the opportunity to revamp his lifestyle and now spends his winters enjoying warmer climates.

    Montgomery notes that he was able to retire early because he had no children to care for and always lived below his means. He invested in a five-unit apartment building, which has paid off its mortgage and provides a significant portion of his retirement income. Between renting out his home in Anchorage and the income from his rentals, Montgomery says he pulls in about $3,300 during the six months he's gone.

    Montgomery intends to keep up his globe-trotting for as long as his health allows. "As any flock of migrating birds can tell you: Don't overthink it," he says.