My husband is 1 year or so from retiring and we're off after that. We are trying to gather all the info we can to decide where to stay in the winter. We live in Wisconsin and it sure isn't going to be there!We do plain to travel, but we also are going to be on two social security checks and that's it so we have to be frugal. Although we will take advantage of boondocking, we do want to stay at one park long term once we get t here...and drive around in our car. We are planning to buy a used Class A motorhome...hubby is a mechanic and very handy. We'll have time to fix it up before we hit the road.So far we have looked into the SW, mainly Arizona. I'm kind of thinking maybe Florida has nicer winter weather, more parks to choose from, and more to do...and I love that ocean. It will be a hard cell to hubs, but with more info...maybe.Where have you found the best winter weather, the most to do, the nicest people and cheap campsites...all we need is basic hook ups, not a resort. We like the long term rates and will definitely join a club. If anyone has ANYTHING that will help us decide where to go, please speak up. Every place is an option. We are getting rid of our apartment and will be free to travel. In the summer, we will RV camp out here in Wisconsin by family and, hey, our summers here are cool too.In the meantime, no opinion is a useless opinion, good or bad. I am very social and am liking the idea of volunteering or working. Both of us are most comfy with down home people who are non-materialistic. We love animals and will be bringing our two mutts.Thanks in advance for any/all responses.Pam

We snowbird every winter and think that, compared to Fl., the Southwest offers- lower prices, less crowds, less need for reservations plus warm, non-humid weather. We like state parks and other public campgrounds. We go to Fl. more because there's family there and have learned to adapt but getting sites in coastal and southern Fl. is very difficult even if you reserve. Central and northern Fl. is better and has some great state parks. The northern Gulf Coast is good but don't expect every day to feel like summer at all. Same for northern Fl. State parks are running in the low $20 to low $30 range.

My experience is that the warmest consistent winter weather is in yuma AZ area. I lived in Florida for three years and it is great compared to winter weather where you are now. I grew up in northern Illinois so I understand that. I spent one winter in the Texas Rio Grand Valley. Again warmer than the north but had cool days, wet and windy days, etc. Not like the southwest. Met a couple several years ago from northeast. They went to Florida, said it was cold, moved west to rgv, said it was cold, moved west to southern NM and said that was first time they had been warm.I now live in southern NM and winters here are mild, however can have cold snaps. Yuma area is best at having consistently warm weather. I have tried all of the areas and this is my exprrience.

You should definitely look into workcamping jobs... Quite often you get a free full hook up site. Many people like the Rio Grande Valley, although it's not as warm as southern Arizona or Florida. But either the RGV or Gulf Coast will be WAY warmer than Wisconsin, for sure.

If I were you, I'd make it an information gathering trip. A month in Florida, a month in RGV, some time in other parts of Texas, two months in different parts of AZ and then over to the coast of CA and stay around Ventura in the state parks on the beach - most have a 14 day max but sometimes longer in the winter. This would give you a better idea of where you would (and would not) want to spend a longer period of time.We've been up and down the west coast and mid west six months out of each of the last four years. This year we're headed further east than San Antonio, Texas.Bill

I quit work 4 years ago and don't know where to go for winter yet. We try a month here a week there and are gone 4 or 5 months a year. It has been fun and we may just keep doling it that way. Every place is different and many would be fine to spend the winter.

New to this. Best weather in winter??? Help? | Good Sam Community

MarkTwain
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
readytogo94 wrote:
Thanks all.
I really dont like humidity.
in the SW is there anywhere around 70 most of the time?
I dont mind cool nights.

You will have to look in the higher elevation mountain locations for those kind of tempetures. You probably do not want to be in the Ariz. valley areas in the months from April through Sept. Too hot!!!!
Any particular parks in the SW that are low cost for long termers yet at least clean and friendly?

You might want to consider joining the "Escapees" organization for your needs.

My husband is a vet who likes to target shoot. Both of us love wildlife and hiking and chatting around a fire with nice people. I am interested in California, but husband is leery, I think, of having a gun in CA. Plus guessing the costs are higher there.

RV parks in Calif. are generally higher in price. Look at the RV parks in the Indio, Hemet areas. I avoid the area of southern calif. like a plague. Look for RV parks from Santa Barbara north all the way to the Oregon border. Oregon is great in the spring and summer but too cold and wet for me the rest of the year.

Honestly, my biggest thrill will be stopping in Wyoming on the drive down.I cant wait to be there, but it's too cold to stay.

Get yourself a Weather Radio so you can be prepared for bad weather, i.e. snow, storms and strong winds.

What state do you folks declare residence?
South Dakota is suppose to have low resident prices

I am overwhelmed by the responses. RVers must be super friendly people. I like that so much. Hope most like animals too.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Aug 16, 2016
I would think Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and south Texas would be cheaper than Florida, and California for sure. Probably a bit cooler and wetter than Florida and I assume Arizona. I got pretty cool in Laredo a couple times. Beach is relatively close and South Padre Island. Day trip to San Antonio for shopping and the best Mexican food. Mexico is close for shopping. Texas is for sure gun friendly. I would try all these areas. Nobody says you have to pick just one.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
Go to "Good Sam RV parks" application. Start searching in a variety of areas. Make 75 mile circles in a variety of areas and start looking for RV parks that best meet your needs $$$$. Phoenix and Tucson general have parks/resorts that are higher priced. Look in small rural little towns. RV parks in Yuma are general more economical than the rest of Ariz. I would make a list of as many little rural towns you can find and do your searching with Good Sam RV to start doing your comparisons. Stay away from RV parks that have the word "Resort".
pawatt
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
Don't forget to checkout the Rio Grande Valley of Texas about 500 parks to chose from.
readytogo94
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
Thanks all.
I really dont like humidity.
in the SW is there anywhere around 70 most of the time?
I dont mind cool nights.
Any particular parks in the SW that are low cost for long termers yet at least clean and friendly?

My husband is a vet who likes to target shoot. Both of us love wildlife and hiking and chatting around a fire with nice people. I am interested in California, but husband is leery, I think, of having a gun in CA. Plus guessing the costs are higher there.

Honestly, my biggest thrill will be stopping in Wyoming on the drive down.I cant wait to be there, but it's too cold to stay.

What state do you folks declare residence?

I am overwhelmed by the responses. RVers must be super friendly people. I like that so much. Hope most like animals too.
K_Charles
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
I quit work 4 years ago and don't know where to go for winter yet. We try a month here a week there and are gone 4 or 5 months a year. It has been fun and we may just keep doling it that way. Every place is different and many would be fine to spend the winter.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Aug 16, 2016
If I were you, I'd make it an information gathering trip. A month in Florida, a month in RGV, some time in other parts of Texas, two months in different parts of AZ and then over to the coast of CA and stay around Ventura in the state parks on the beach - most have a 14 day max but sometimes longer in the winter. This would give you a better idea of where you would (and would not) want to spend a longer period of time.

We've been up and down the west coast and mid west six months out of each of the last four years. This year we're headed further east than San Antonio, Texas.

Bill
coolmom42
Explorer II
Aug 16, 2016
You should definitely look into workcamping jobs... Quite often you get a free full hook up site.

Many people like the Rio Grande Valley, although it's not as warm as southern Arizona or Florida. But either the RGV or Gulf Coast will be WAY warmer than Wisconsin, for sure.
imgoin4it
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
My experience is that the warmest consistent winter weather is in yuma AZ area. I lived in Florida for three years and it is great compared to winter weather where you are now. I grew up in northern Illinois so I understand that. I spent one winter in the Texas Rio Grand Valley. Again warmer than the north but had cool days, wet and windy days, etc. Not like the southwest. Met a couple several years ago from northeast. They went to Florida, said it was cold, moved west to rgv, said it was cold, moved west to southern NM and said that was first time they had been warm.I now live in southern NM and winters here are mild, however can have cold snaps. Yuma area is best at having consistently warm weather. I have tried all of the areas and this is my exprrience.
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
We snowbird every winter and think that, compared to Fl., the Southwest offers- lower prices, less crowds, less need for reservations plus warm, non-humid weather. We like state parks and other public campgrounds. We go to Fl. more because there's family there and have learned to adapt but getting sites in coastal and southern Fl. is very difficult even if you reserve. Central and northern Fl. is better and has some great state parks. The northern Gulf Coast is good but don't expect every day to feel like summer at all. Same for northern Fl. State parks are running in the low $20 to low $30 range.

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