The Mitten Channel

Why I Leave Michigan Every Winter (And What It Says About Us)


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 What’s a “Snowbird,” really—and why do millions of Americans and Canadians head south every winter? In this video essay, Arthur Busch—former Genesee County Prosecutor and host of Radio Free Flint—shares why he became a Snowbird and what the lifestyle reveals about working-class culture from the Rust Belt to the Sunbelt. From union paychecks and shift work to HOA meetings and pickleball courts, the Snowbird migration isn’t just about sunshine—it’s about identity, mobility, and the American promise of a little comfort after forty years on the line. Arthur explores the joys, trade-offs, and quiet contradictions: community vs. roots, leisure vs. purpose, and the feeling of leaving family to chase better weather. Is this seasonal move a luxury, a necessity, or a new stage of American life? Let’s talk about the ducks, the geese—and us. 

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