We are interested in alternative destinations to South Florida in the winter. It is just becoming way too crowded and expensive down here. Between the influx of people from the Northern United States and Canada, and the unchecked immigration from South America, the Caribbean, etc., South Florida has become less attractive for us. The roads have become parking lots and forget about getting into anywhere, like restaurants, without a long wait, and forget about the beaches too. Then again, it also could be that we've come here too often and the novelty just wore out. I don't know. Anyway, I know that Texas is popular, as well as Arizona and the Desert Southwest, but how do these areas compare weather-wise? Also, are they very crowded? We're looking for somewhere with some elbow room and where the weather is warm, but elbow room is more important. What about New Mexico. I don't hear too many people talk about that state. Anyone have any knowledge? Obviously, I'm just fishing for information at this time, but we really do want to get out of South Florida.

We are heading to TX in November South Padre/Brownsville/Weslaco area. No idea where we are staying just going to play it by ear when we get there. We have heard good and bad about South TX so we are going to try it. If we like then we will stay, if not then we will be heading back to FL.From what I can tell it looks like the weather in Brownsville area is similar to Tampa but gets cooler into the 60's by Corpus Christi.That is why we are being flexible about Texas.

Sure Corpus Christi is a little cooler than Brownsville but not that much. A lot of days last winter it was warmer than the Tampa area.Corpus Christi area RV parks $250 - $450, compare that to Tampa $550 - $850.Unless there is a major accident than traffic never a problem in the Corpus area.We wintered in the Rockport area in 2004 & 5, Tampa area 6&7, didn't go anywhere in 08 but every year since we've been back to Rockport and usually stay 4 months. Easy to get to the water if you like fishing, you can drive upwards of 100 miles on the beaches in the Corpus area.

We lived in South Florida for 35 years and your complaints are valid. We found to equal the weather, and warmth of South Florida, you have to south to the Rio Grande valley. Texas is a great state and much more welcoming. Have fun.

We spent a winter around Deming New Mexico and liked the area. Not crowded, many interesting day trips to make. The only negative was the 4200 ft elevation which meant pretty chilly nights. As far as south Florida traffic is concerned, there are some areas where it is not too bad. In the larger cities its bad, near good beaches its bad.Middle of the state not too bad. Away from resort areas helps. We chose Port Charlotte because it is more of a blue collar area than luxury. Also we do have a smaller beach area but are within 35 miles of Fort Myers beach or Siesta Key in Sarasota(rated the best in the country). No traffic jams here but keep this info under your hat so everyone don't come here.

Dog Folks wrote:We lived in South Florida for 35 years and your complaints are valid. We found to equal the weather, and warmth of South Florida, you have to south to the Rio Grande valley. Texas is a great state and much more welcoming. Have fun.I think that is also an underlying reason for us to get out of South Florida. Texas IS much more welcoming, as I'm sure it is also in Arizona and New Mexico. The last few years in South Florida, we have witnessed some very unwelcomed behavior on the part of both the visitors (snowbirds) AND the residents. Big crowds can often cause short tempers I suppose. Obviously there is some trade-off with the weather being somewhat cooler outside of SF, but I would imagine that the overall experience ought to be much better and much more relaxing. Hey as long as it is a place that doesn't snow or get frozen roads, we'll be happy.

Alternatives to South Florida in Winter | Good Sam Community

pawatt
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
Check on weather here

And here
Dick_B
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
You will really enjoy the Brownsville area...Weather.com will give you the temperature averages for any city for any month.
fchammer1
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
My guess is that RetSgt7114 is referring to the east coast when he talks about "South Florida." We have experienced very few negatives about SW Florida, and would not trade a day of it for the colder, windy three months that we spent in Harlingen, TX. There is one main reason there are no picnic tables at these campgrounds! The wind! There are many reasons why the RGV is cheaper; even the Texans recognize this and use it to their advantage.
RetSgt7114
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
Dog Folks wrote:
We lived in South Florida for 35 years and your complaints are valid. We found to equal the weather, and warmth of South Florida, you have to south to the Rio Grande valley. Texas is a great state and much more welcoming. Have fun.

I think that is also an underlying reason for us to get out of South Florida. Texas IS much more welcoming, as I'm sure it is also in Arizona and New Mexico. The last few years in South Florida, we have witnessed some very unwelcomed behavior on the part of both the visitors (snowbirds) AND the residents. Big crowds can often cause short tempers I suppose. Obviously there is some trade-off with the weather being somewhat cooler outside of SF, but I would imagine that the overall experience ought to be much better and much more relaxing. Hey as long as it is a place that doesn't snow or get frozen roads, we'll be happy.
arnko37
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
We spent a winter around Deming New Mexico and liked the area. Not crowded, many interesting day trips to make. The only negative was the 4200 ft elevation which meant pretty chilly nights. As far as south Florida traffic is concerned, there are some areas where it is not too bad. In the larger cities its bad, near good beaches its bad.Middle of the state not too bad. Away from resort areas helps. We chose Port Charlotte because it is more of a blue collar area than luxury. Also we do have a smaller beach area but are within 35 miles of Fort Myers beach or Siesta Key in Sarasota(rated the best in the country). No traffic jams here but keep this info under your hat so everyone don't come here.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
We lived in South Florida for 35 years and your complaints are valid. We found to equal the weather, and warmth of South Florida, you have to south to the Rio Grande valley. Texas is a great state and much more welcoming. Have fun.
chris3403
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
Sure Corpus Christi is a little cooler than Brownsville but not that much. A lot of days last winter it was warmer than the Tampa area.
Corpus Christi area RV parks $250 - $450, compare that to Tampa $550 - $850.
Unless there is a major accident than traffic never a problem in the Corpus area.
We wintered in the Rockport area in 2004 & 5, Tampa area 6&7, didn't go anywhere in 08 but every year since we've been back to Rockport and usually stay 4 months. Easy to get to the water if you like fishing, you can drive upwards of 100 miles on the beaches in the Corpus area.
gmajs
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
We are heading to TX in November South Padre/Brownsville/Weslaco area. No idea where we are staying just going to play it by ear when we get there.

We have heard good and bad about South TX so we are going to try it. If we like then we will stay, if not then we will be heading back to FL.

From what I can tell it looks like the weather in Brownsville area is similar to Tampa but gets cooler into the 60's by Corpus Christi.

That is why we are being flexible about Texas.

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