New to this. Best weather in winter??? Help?

We've done Tucson and Florida. You can get cold spells in both places. Personally we found the lack of humidity in Arizona problematic and prefer a little humidity. The winter humidity in Florida is moderate, and we prefer the green lushness of Florida over the desert environment. We winter in south central Florida in the lake areas and love it. Lots to do and all shopping, restaurants closeby.
Admittedly it is much more expensive than Tucson! I guess you'll have to give both a try and see what works for you.

2gypsies wrote:
Bisbee, AZ gets cold in winter and sometimes snow. :E

However, you might want to look into joining the Escapees RV Club which is a great organization for full-timers. If you go to their Benson, AZ park you can stay a week with full hookups for $50. While there you can check out the area, including Bisbee :) and Tombstone.

http://skpsaguaro.org/special-offers.html

Actually, it's cooler in Benson in winter than other Arizona places but you'll have sunny days. Bisbee is higher elevation but a terrific little town.

You mentioned you're anxious to go through Wyoming on your way south... you really don't want to do that in winter with a RV. From Wisconsin head directly south. Don't get on any east/west interstates higher than I-10 in winter. Stay down along the southern states.

I'd also recommend moving around your first winter to different areas or different states. It would be a shame to pay for the whole season somewhere and find out you really don't like it. Test them out. Everyone is different in likes.

You might try Gulf State Park at Gulf Shores, Alabama. Temps aren't as warm as the deep south of Florida but they are nice. At this state park snowbirders can spend the whole winter, not the typical 2-weeks. The beach is awesome and the town and surrounding area has anything you might want, including awesome fresh shrimp off the boats.

Florida to us is buggy with humidity. Naturally, many folks like it.

South Texas down around McAllen can be very windy and humidity.

California is expensive.

New Mexico is higher elevation than Arizona - even in the southern part it can be cold and windy. We tried it but had to leave after a month.

We love Arizona for the winter. As mentioned above, the Benson Escapees park is nice and very reasonable. It will be full of friendly full-timers, has a very active clubhouse and the campsites are large and landscaped.

Other good areas for winter in Arizona are Tucson, the greater Phoenix area, including Apache Junction, and Yuma. Yuma would be the warmest. You don't want to get any further north than Phoenix except perhaps along the Colorado River up to Havasu City.

Quartzsite, AZ in January and February is very popular for boondocking in the desert although there are some RV parks, too.

Lots of good advise here.

First time - the idea to try a few out is really smart - need to find what you enjoy - along with finding people you will share interest in doing things.

Remember you are coming from Wisconsin and all of the choices will be GOOD as long as they are in the South, and weather is the main reason for leaving.

Having never given up the Sticks and Bricks - and only doing the winter a few years in the Coach we found Florida just too sticky - Arizona just too far from everything and the Hill Country of Texas as a nice mix of the two - not too Hot not too Cold .... just right.

So take your time, weigh your options, try a few different places and enjoy the first winter just feeling your way.

Best of Luck,

True. Thanks!

Bisbee, AZ gets cold in winter and sometimes snow. :E

However, you might want to look into joining the Escapees RV Club which is a great organization for full-timers. If you go to their Benson, AZ park you can stay a week with full hookups for $50. While there you can check out the area, including Bisbee :) and Tombstone.

http://skpsaguaro.org/special-offers.html

Actually, it's cooler in Benson in winter than other Arizona places but you'll have sunny days. Bisbee is higher elevation but a terrific little town.

You mentioned you're anxious to go through Wyoming on your way south... you really don't want to do that in winter with a RV. From Wisconsin head directly south. Don't get on any east/west interstates higher than I-10 in winter. Stay down along the southern states.

I'd also recommend moving around your first winter to different areas or different states. It would be a shame to pay for the whole season somewhere and find out you really don't like it. Test them out. Everyone is different in likes.

You might try Gulf State Park at Gulf Shores, Alabama. Temps aren't as warm as the deep south of Florida but they are nice. At this state park snowbirders can spend the whole winter, not the typical 2-weeks. The beach is awesome and the town and surrounding area has anything you might want, including awesome fresh shrimp off the boats.

Florida to us is buggy with humidity. Naturally, many folks like it.

South Texas down around McAllen can be very windy and humidity.

California is expensive.

New Mexico is higher elevation than Arizona - even in the southern part it can be cold and windy. We tried it but had to leave after a month.

We love Arizona for the winter. As mentioned above, the Benson Escapees park is nice and very reasonable. It will be full of friendly full-timers, has a very active clubhouse and the campsites are large and landscaped.

Other good areas for winter in Arizona are Tucson, the greater Phoenix area, including Apache Junction, and Yuma. Yuma would be the warmest. You don't want to get any further north than Phoenix except perhaps along the Colorado River up to Havasu City.

Quartzsite, AZ in January and February is very popular for boondocking in the desert although there are some RV parks, too.

If you are into inexpensive, and fun, look a bit away from the prime places. Theres a camp 9 mi. east of Bisbee, az., that may just what you are looking for.
Its Double Adobe rv , that offers skeet and trap shooting ranges . for free. We were very comfortable and welcomed there, no notion of exclusivity we have experienced in many other warm weather 'retirement' parks.
Wifi, Phone was very good in 2013, access to shopping within 15 minutes drive.

Not that you have to stay in them all of the time but if he's retired military, then you should be looking at the military camp grounds. I hear a lot of them are very nice and very reasonably priced.

Bill

Personally, I like south central Florida. There are a number of parks with seasonal sites in the $250 - $300 range. I stay in one called Lake Letta Rv Park, and it's just east of Sebring. Nothing fancy just a nice small place to winter and a lot of nice folks there. From what I've seen, there are a number of parks in that price range, but if you want to spend more, there are those parks too. Lots of orange groves lakes and cattle ranches and close to shopping. We might get one or two nights with frost, but I only had to cover my tomato plants once last winter. I liked the park so much, I bought a park model trailer there. It may be a little more expensive than BLM camping in the SW, but you're not camping in the desert either.

We live in Tucson and the winters here are great. Last February we towed the trailer to the Tampa FL area and it was great there, too. Not much to do in AZ. I much prefer FL. Parks are full in both locations so reserve ahead of time.

I think it is safe to say that if you are on a budget Florida is NOT the place to spend the winter.

Check out Yuma, Tucson, and phoenix areas. Relatively inexpensive winter rates, tons to do, no humidity, and the weather is reasonably warm. With all the sunshine it feels warmer than it actually is. Usually no jacket needed except at night. Pools stay open all year, etc.
We did one winter in FL. To be warm you have to be pretty far south, which is pricy, and the bugs and humidity got to us, and the rig,
And if you like hiking, Phoenix and Tucson are awesome!!