Is just being a Snowbird enough?

I think the Boomers are more adventurous and also, more health-conscious. If you pick up anything to read you will always find an article on ways to stay healthy. Sitting in an RV park the whole winter and going to potlucks in the clubhouse or going out to eat daily is not the way to stay healthy. Boomers grew up with diet and exercise being stressed and that's the kind of environment they want while RVing.

We're not FT (yet), but having seen a LOT of the world, courtesy of my Uncle Sam, we want to see the USA (and NOT in a Chevrolet:R) A bike usually travels with us, for the wife. Kayak, not for me. Now if I could get a Golf Cart in the rig, ?????? Really, we are comfortable after retirement, and enjoy the travel and the sight-seeing, and will continue until we run out of time on this earth.

The web has made it much easier to make money and live where you want in an RV. Folks in their mid 20's and up are living in RV's and traveling with the seasons. Snowbirding is not just about traditional retired people. Baby boomers as a whole seem much more mobile and active in the outdoors beyond the RV park fence then previous generations. Often traditional retired RVers would ride thier bikes around the campground in the evening and wave at everybody. Boomers will take the bike out the gate of the park and ride 40 or 50 miles before coming back. The new generation is not so much about pelicans, flags, blue jumpsuits and fancy lights on the awning as it was for previous generations.

Lengthy discussion on this on the Snowbird section last month.

Basic assumption was that unlike our parents, most of us have not had to do physically punishing labor for 40+ years before retirement.

We developed a different set of habits about such things as bicycles, kayaks, hiking, etc. We were also lucky enough to be able to travel more while younger and enjoy these things.

That makes us less likely to be satisfied with the snowbird destination which has group, clubhouse focused activity with limited physical activity potential.

Another noticeable difference is the boomers are more likely to spend a few years at one snowbird destination (say - California) and move to a new one (Texas or Florida) every so often.

As long as we are physically able - we are going to want to do those things.

The snowbird market customer base is changing.

I don't see this as a trend but a lifestyle. Even if snowbirds head for one park with all the amenities, they do so for the activities. Pools, hot tubs, sports, etc.
It is for the like minded people we meet and the activities we like to do. Some like water sports, some like fishing, some like biking and hiking.
It is a lifestyle not a trend.

When dad retired and went west (Yuma), he and Mom drove all around the country side looking at things. Many of the (more) elder were just a little bit envious. In his latter days, he was content to just sit around camp and watch the world.

I think while you're young(er) you'll enjoy the activities and sights; but' when older you'll slow down and let the sights enjoy your.

And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Speaking for us old time kayakers who snow bird in the Florida Keys, we are hard core kayakers who love to explore and nature watch.
We have been to almost every one of the off shore Keys and if the weather is permitting, as it was today, we will be out exploring.
I don't think there has every been a day go by that we have not had a good experience or a new souvenir to bring back.
We have a google site with over a hundred different trips in and around the state of Florida and the Keys with complete descriptions, including launch sites and directions
When the weather is not conducive to paddling, you will usually find us peddling our mountain bikes.

jack L

Personally, no, not more affluent. We have no children and are retiring very young, to begin full timing. We have known for 20 + years we want to full time for retirement and have scrimped and saved to be able to do so, with enough put away for back up plans. Never know what tomorrow holds, and being at a job 40 hours a week that neither of us like, is not our idea of living. A lot of people's work defines them. For us, our jobs are a means to save for real life.

We have never had any exposure to pretty much anywhere other than So Cal, Az, and Nevada. There is an entire country out there waiting for us to explore. Quads, kayaks, etc allow you to see places you otherwise might not, just like Geocaching. We are both outdoorsy people. We love fishing, hiking, riding bikes, kayaking, etc.

We have no desire to stay in RV parks with activities, pools, etc since they do not fit our life style. City living is just not for us.

I think physical ability limits quite a few RVrs due to knees, joints, etc so I wouldn't really say its a trend. just what people are physically able to do when they are enjoying the RV lifestyle. A lot of people follow the weather to reduce physicall ailments, ie arthritis, copd's.

We will follow the seasons, but possibly on the opposite end. We want to see Yellowstone and Alaska Northern Lights in the winter, the leaves changing and first snowfall in the East, waterfalls at Yosemite in the spring. Those are the most beautiful natural wonders that we have yet to experience.

This should be a very interesting thread. I am looking forward to everyone's responses.

Well, to me it would make no sense to go south to avoid the cold and then stay in the RV. If you're going to do that, why not just stay home and inside? So if you're going to go south you bring along things to do.

As "Boomers" and this being our third year full-timing/snowbirding I have seen the same trend from our age group, we ourselves bring mountain bikes as well as a 12' achillies inflatable and a 12hp outboard with the idea that we can take advantage of whatever there is to enjoy from fishing/gunk holing or trails/hiking but the funny thing is that now we seem to have settled nicely into our Florida spot not wanting to roam as everything we want or need is here and looking to "amp-up" our Canadian spot to give us more of what we get here in Florida and get away from the golf course resort. all in all it's really a great lifestyle!!!

Red Green:
If life gives you lemons, throw 'em into
a quart of vodka.