Possible snowbird next year.

theoldwizard1 wrote:
I have been retired for awhile and now that the grandkids are in school, we are not as closely involved with them. I am getting sick of MI winters (lack of sun more than the cold or even the snow). FL would be our likely destination, hopefully near the west coast.

When we started full-timing our last home was also in Michigan so know what you mean about lack of sun. :) We first went to Gulf Shores, Alabama State Park (full of snowbirds and can stay the whole winter) and we left the RV on the site and drove back for 3-4 days at Christmas - still a pain though.

How do you find a place to stay ? Not set on FL, but the daytime high temps should be in the 60s in January-March. The popular snowbird areas are Florida (high costs and lots of traffic); southern Alabama; southern Texas - Rockport and down to Mission; Arizona - on a line across from thePhoenix area and lower. New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi are cold. Southern California is another warm spot. The most sun will be in Arizona and California. We love Arizona!

Do most people head south in the late fall and return for Christmas (can't miss that) or just wait until after the new year. Every way is done... depends on you.

Last, is 18-24' TT "big enough" for 2 people used to having their own space in a 1400 sq ft house ? I want to keep the size "reasonable" in case we want to take any long trips during the rest of the year. I'd recommend 27' as the shortest for comfort. Even that is too small if you have days of rain! Plan on two comfortable seating areas - not a dinette as the main seating.

I'd also recommend trying out different states and different areas of the state the first couple years rather than making a reservation at a place unseen and being stuck there if you don't like it. We liked state parks and moved around.