advice on choosing snowbird site close to shopping

jw of 4 corners wrote:
You should go to rvparkreview.com and check on campgrounds you are considering, and check their website and Google earth to see exactly what is within walking distance.

Yes.

I prefer Google Maps rather than satellite view in Google Earth. GM shows small icons of what's around, like stores, bus stops etc, when you zoom in. It can even calculate walking time from camp to store.

Rvparkreview would have links to parks websites, but you really have to see the park in person, to decide whether you like it.

What kind of shopping?

I've been in snowbird parks that had their own stores, as much as you might find in a gas station convenience store, or a even short walk to a convenience store. Many larger parks are in commercial areas, where it is not too far out the gate to a supermarket or discount store.

But if you want fashion malls, big department stores, chain restaurants, these tend to not be in the same neighborhoods as long-term RV parks or other mobile home parks.

You can, in the right communities, expect ready access to public transit. I've been in parks that were a short walk to a bus stop (San Antonio) or served by directly public transit (e.g. trolley in Port Aransas). You do have to be in a municipality that actually has a public transit system (many places choose not to) and in a neighbor where there are other people for that system to serve: retirees, low-wage working people, etc. Buses don't as often serve the places where everyone has his own car and will never ride the bus.

Another opportunity for transportation, some large RV resorts in areas too isolated or too ritzy for public transit will offer shuttle service (as do many retirement communities).

So you can find what you are looking for, if you are willing to walk a bit or ride the bus, but this will narrow your choices somewhat because many RV parks are in places where such services are not provided.

But you are not going to find many RV parks in places where you walk out and it is like being in a busy big city neighborhood, nor will they be in places where it is a short walk to a big suburban mall. Land values in those places are not right for RV parks.

Juno Beach RV Resort in Juno Beach Fl.

Tropical Palms, Fl

Holiday Cove RV Resort Cortez, Fl.

We were in a park in Cortez, FL less than a mile from Anna Marie island and a couple were doing what you want to do. They found that the city bus service was excellent and were able to get around very easily and they also enjoyed meeting and talking to more locals than most snow birders do.

Blueberry Hill in Bushnell in Central Florida is across the road from a W.M. and a plaza with a Dollar Store and other shops. Several restaurants are nearby as well. The park has good amenities but being able to travel around the area would
certainly make for a better vacation. Maybe a rental car now and again for a week could be considered regardless of where you stay if you don't have a tow.

Sometimes we do not take our tow car; it depends on what type of trip we are doing. If we are at one location for any length of time, we take the car. If traveling and moving every couple of days a tow is not necessary.

You do not say how long your trip is - that could be the deciding factor.

I'm not familiar with coastal parks near shopping, but will offer one inland. Cypress Campground & RV Park in Winter Haven is right next to a Super Wal-Mart with a gate from the campground to the back of the store. There is also a small strip mall on the other side of the park with a variety of shops and a restaurant or two.

http://www.cypresscampground.com/

If you're not taking a car to drive you might consider bicycles with baskets or some other method of transporting groceries, etc.

One RV park we stayed at down in the Keys (Marathon) is right on the edge of town, but I would still like to have a bike to transport things. That one was Knight's Key.

http://knightskeyrvresortandmarina.com/

We stay at Fiesta Grande in Casa Grande Arizona. Not on Gulf coast but 1/2 mile to Walmart, 1/2 mile to Frys (groceries) and most major shopping, restaurants and HOSPITAL within a mile.
PM Me for more details if interested. Park has lots of activities and Enterprise runs a $9.99 day special on weekends so you can rent a car from Friday to Monday for $32.07

Have been all over and can only think of one, Golden Village Palms in Hemet, CA. Sorry but I can't think of any on the Gulf coast. As for Golden Village it is across the street from Target, next to Home Depot, less than a block to Safeway (Wil-CO is better than Safeway but about 2 blocks). I don't really like the park but lots seem to love it. Lots of park activities.

You should go to rvparkreview.com and check on campgrounds you are considering, and check their website and Google earth to see exactly what is within walking distance. We had thought about staying at a park that was within walking distance to all those things but after reading reviews and then going to the park to check it out, we decided it was not for us. There plenty of parks out there to choose from and people with different needs to fill them.

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