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.

Most folks go straight down from their homes, including Canadians. Northeasterners go to Fl, Northwesterners head to Arizona and California while midwesterners usually head to Texas. That's not to say that some RVer's Don't crisscross to farther destinations.
Since you are looking to go home for Christmas, the shortest distance would be Texas; San Antonio, Corpus Christi or anywhere along the Gulf. Campgrounds are far cheaper and half the price of Fl. Good luck.

We are from north Missouri and are spending our first winter @ Green Gate Grove in Mission/Palmview,Tx. Been here about 2 1/2 weeks and have already in the process of buying one of the lots with a nice Texas room and full canopy to cover our MH. "Wifes fault" :>)

...snip...Last, is 18-24' TT "big enough" for 2 people used to having their own space in a 1400 sq ft house ?...

Like my Uncle Donnie always said "it ain't the size of the RV that makes it small." Lot of wisdom in that if you knew my Aunt Alice.

We did this last year for the first time. We have relatives and friends in central Florida so we heading there first (W. Palm, Sarasota and The Villages). Then we headed out the panhandle and around the Gulf coast. We intended to make it as far as S. Padre Island, but spring break started so we meandered back home via Texas, OK, Missouri and then east.

We made reservations a couple of weeks in advance and this worked except in south Florida which apparently fills up early. But it turns out that the panhandle is excellent. Although not as warm as the Keys and south Florida (daytime temps in the 60s), it's less crowded and the campgrounds are generally cheaper. It was hard to believe that the panhandle was still in Florida. We really liked Santa Rosa Beach/Destin area.

Our next trip south we'll probably skip central Florida (or just spent a couple of weeks there) and then head out the panhandle and try to make the RGV.

We've spent several winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at Myrtle Beach Travel Park. November is nice month with lots of 60-70 degree days. Typically December/January are in the high 40's and mid-50''s. Things start to warm up in February with some 60's and March can be 60's and some 70's. Nights can freeze throughout the winter with most temperatures being 30's & 40's. We've experienced lots of sun but typically windy. Winds can be cool off the ocean even on very warm days. We can usually wear shorts but often need a sweatshirt or light jacket. Sure beats winters in Montreal.

Because of the cooler weather as compared with Florida there is not usually an issue getting into any of the big parks.

What people do varies a lot. I know three cases of Florida - Michigan snowbirding.

My late brother would go down to Florida after Labor Day and come back to Michigan at the beginning of June. He would fly back to Michigan for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with family (usually hosted at his Michigan house, which was kept up in his absence by niece and nephew). His wintering place was in Citrus County, which is less crowded than South Florida but still warm enough if you are used to Michigan weather.

One cousin goes down (from forest cottage in NE Lower Peninsula) at beginning of October, taking about a month to get to Fort Myers. Last year he started leaving his RV in Florida, built a small camper in the large utility trailer he uses to carry his motorcycles back and forth, for camping enroute. He returns to Michigan April-May, again spending 2-4 weeks enroute. His kids come down to Florida for holidays, if they are not doing something else (like cruises or tropical vacations).

Another cousin goes down (to Hernando County) after the beginning of the year, returns to Michigan (Detroit area) towards the end of March. My grandparents lived in Hernando County 1950 to 1980, found it adequately warm for a mostly outdoor life in the winter.

What space works is something each couple has to figure out for themselves. Two people will not each have their own space in 18-foot TT (if you mean overall length, not box size). At that size, separate sleeping and living areas are unlikely. As you get to 22-24 feet overall length, you will find sleeping space separate from living areas, and at the upper end, maybe separate dining and seating spaces. But you will both be in the same room, all the time.

No place in Florida is going to have winter daytime highs in the 60s guaranteed. I lived Central Florida two years, most of the winter I was in summer uniforms with a jacket. However January 72 when we went to Key West, highs dropped into the 40s as far south as the Keys. But generally it highs will be 50s to 70s most of January and February, once you are south of Tampa. March is warm. Winter is the gray season in Florida, but not as gray as Michigan winters.

tatest wrote:

No place in Florida is going to have winter daytime highs in the 60s guaranteed.

I was in Naples one year just after Christmas. Evenings hit low 40s or 30s and daytime barely hit 60, so I understand there are no guarantees !

PackerBacker wrote:
We've spent several winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at Myrtle Beach Travel Park.

I have camped in Myrtle Beach between spring break and the "official" season open. Nice time of year. Not too hot and not to many people, but that is just too cold for mid-winter.

spent last winter in Myrtle Beach SC.. not again.
3 years ago South Florida.. in 21 foot trailer.. Florida is way to crowded.

from advice here... McAllen/Mission Texas.. we are in Mission. (small and less traffic). but 5 miles to McAllen.
been here 1 month... wife is already wanting to return next winter.
for size... we have a 30 foot travel trailer. and plan on staying here till April..
many here are from Canada, Wisconsin, and Michigan. me Ohio.

many here offer 3/4/5 month discounts... I am at 313 per month plus electric for 5 months. I came in with 1 month.. and upgraded to 5 after the fact.
swimming pool, wood shop, many games, 4 Pool tables.. and everything is CLEAN.