The Financial Times reports that weekenders are becoming more adventurous in their quest for a second home. Where once a cottage in the countryside was de rigueur, today’s budget airlines mean that a new breed of buyer can get to the house of their dreams quickly and cheaply. “In the UK,” says Georgina Richards of Knight Frank the international affiliate of Prudential Douglas Elliman, “we’ve even seen people commute backwards and forwards from abroad with just hand luggage, taking Friday or Monday off.” To make this possible, proximity to the airport is key.

So where do New Yorker weekend if they aren’t going to the Hampton’s, Upstate New York, Buck’s County or the Jersey Shore? We are hearing of many spending 3-4 days per week in Florida, mostly Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach because of direct flights. Also, with out-of-state residency come tax advantages….

Why this trend? “New York taxes,” says Leonard Steinberg, managing director of Prudential Douglas Elliman and publisher of LUXURYLETTER. “The fact that many can work from anywhere with a phone and a computer: some seek a weekend property that ultimately morphs into their retirement home, budget….there are many reasons why New Yorkers are looking for weekend homes outside of the obvious in locations that are not drive-able. Likewise, we see New York as an ‘escape destination’ for many who live outside of Manhattan.”

JetBlue flies directly from New York to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, Bermuda, St Marteen, Kingston, Fort Myers…..