How many Snowbirds in MX?

[Belgique]

A friend just asked how many Americans snowbird in MX? I answered with probably bogus numbers and commented that there were a lot more Canadians than US. I guessed US in the hundreds and CA in the thousands.

My numbers were WAGs. Interested in more scientific guesses (SWAGs).

FWIW: there's one other rig here in Buganville, Guanajuato. SMA was full (Holy Week). SLP had one other on 2 occasions.

[Almot]

I wouldn't even know what one could possibly nickle and dime camp owners for 🙂 - using three times more paper in a camp toilet than you normally would? If daily price is $X than you pay $X.

True, people are less energy-conscious when they are being charged fixed price.

[qtla9111]

Found some for sale on Mercado Libre, new and not cheap, but they are available. I'm also sure that the CFE sells old ones for this type of use as well.

[clarlk]

Meter that reads odometer style can be purchased for 15 USD , box to mount in then can be purchased in Mexico.... all about 25 USD per meter.. over nighters are the biggest Use of power.. plus the folks that run the A/C with there doors open.... funny how that ends when they need to pay for the power used...

The biggest problem is the land being used for a RV park ( seasonal Biz ) and if it Ocean front Very Bad investment .... for folks that are trying to Nickle and dime the owners for everything.

[Wm_Elliot]

Used meters are really cheap in the US (less than $30 retail) - especially now that utilities are using smart meters. The biggest problem would be reading them - it takes time and two visits to the meter.
Since I like AC I would gladly pay for what I use to help offset costs for the owner.

[Almot]

Yes, meters make sense for permanent places, and a lot of snowbirds are of this type, sticking to certain camp and paying annual rent. This also helps the business to survive, rent is coming all year round. Though annual rent - divided by 12 months - is much lower than what a transient tourist would pay for a month, and cost of living is climbing. A grim future, as I see it. It's not that difficult to have a flexible system, with >1 month rentals on a meter and higher daily rates that include electricity. I think camp owners just don't see much future in this whole enterprise. Keeping camp for as long as they can, and then sell all or part of it.

[briansue]

We have been in a couple RV parks in Mexico that have meters. I do believe they were brought from the US. They do make sense for those who will stay in one space for extended time but not for those who keep moving. When doing some research we found a place in FL that sells them for around $25US - not including the box.

[tepetapan]

Almot wrote:

Belgique wrote:
I guessed US in the hundreds and CA in the thousands.

I guess the developed stretch 80 miles long from Tijuana to Ensenada already has more than a thousand of US/CAN expats. A few hundred is what is living in one highrise, and there are dozens.

.

I agree with somebody that RV-ing is in decline here. Land is becoming expensive, easier to sell to developer than struggling maintaining the park. Electricity is expensive, why they don't do more metered camps, puzzles me. Probably afraid to invest.

.

reselling electric was and still might be illegal, I don't know how the energy bill passed a few years ago might have changed that law.
Plus the fact that you need to import the meters in since none are to be found for the business man or public in Mexico.

[Almot]

Belgique wrote:
I guessed US in the hundreds and CA in the thousands.

I guess the developed stretch 80 miles long from Tijuana to Ensenada already has more than a thousand of US/CAN expats. A few hundred is what is living in one highrise, and there are dozens.

Ratio of US to CAN varies from place to place. In Baja it's mostly West Coast expats and showbirds - SoCal and BC, few times more CA-plated cars than BC-plated. On the mainland are all others.

I agree with somebody that RV-ing is in decline here. Land is becoming expensive, easier to sell to developer than struggling maintaining the park. Electricity is expensive, why they don't do more metered camps, puzzles me. Probably afraid to invest.

Another factor is - Mexico is becoming less exotic, more developed, more Americanized (and more expensive again), many RV-ers don't like this. Expat homeowners and hotels clientele don't mind.

Mexican RVs? Sure... Used as homes on somebody's else land. Not too comfortable, but no pains of construction either. Somewhat similar to what most of us are doing there, only trailers of Mexicans are in worse shape, usually left behind by some gringo because they were afraid that it would fall apart if they try and tow it back North.

[qtla9111]

Indivually metered sites would make the best of it. Done in several parks, rvers can determine or limit their use is they so desire. When park rates are separated from the meter use, rvers tend to accept it and pay as they go.

Now combining solar with electric makes life easier.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

With the cost of electricity being .16 US and power hungry rigs, a lot of RV rental rate percentage goes toward paying for the electrical bill. I expect to see fewer and fewer RV parks in popular tourist destinations, and more extremely basic facilities open and close along major transportation routes.

[briansue]

We have met a number of the Acampadores over the years. They used to visit the old La Siesta in San Miguel and now they go to San Ramon. They do a lot of boondocking and know lots of places to go such as balnearios. They also do some beach camping. Quite a few have motorhomes but we also see trailers and 5th wheels. This year a group from Mexico City passed through the new Oaxaca Campground on the way to Huatulco - they were all related - motorhome - trailer - pickup with shell - couple of converted vans. Not exactly booming but they do exist and the ones who do RV seem to really love it.

[fugawibill]

Mexican RV Group

Association de Acampadores Facebook

[qtla9111]

I imported mine and it cost a total of 22% including, taxes, pedimento and charges from the import company. It was worth it but some people here may not think so.

There is a Majestic Class C, an ex-rental in very good condition near my house which has been imported and plated. I have contacted the owner. We're ready to move up. I know all about the rv rental business and have a checklist.

As someone said earlier, Mexicans are still into all-inclusive hotels and night life. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

[navegator]

They are being imported, most are trailers that do not need smog or verificacion inspection to be imported, we met a lot over the last years.

navegator